In response to Nana Duffuor's Sept. 18 column, "Playing Blue Devil's advocate," in athletics-and in academic, social or working life-the term character is not an indicator of perfection. All of us make mistakes, and it is the word character that defines how we deal with those mistakes. In athletics or in life, a person of strong character makes as many-if not more-mistakes than anyone else, but it is how they deal with their mistakes that give them the title of "strong character."
Football linebacker Michael Tauiliili made, without a doubt, a grave error in judgment when he got behind the wheel of a car after drinking. That mistake, however, does not define his character. It is the humbled, selfless approach in dealing with his mistake that defines Tauiliili not only as a football player, but a man. When he stood in front of his teammates during training camp and made a presentation about the perils of drinking and driving, choosing to constructively lead rather than selfishly defend his actions, there was no doubt surrounding the strength of his character. Tauiliili's election by his teammates as a captain further serves to emphasize that he is a true leader, with a strength of character few can claim. To those who consider perfection the only true test of a person's character, you will never find a person of strength, because perfection is a quality no human being possesses. It is the pursuit excellence, the constant effort to improve oneself, that truly defines their character. And by that definition, Tauiliili's strength of character has no equal.
George Pearkes
Trinity '12
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