Definition of Bravery: NY Jets’ Laveranues Coles Opens Up About Molestation He Suffered As a Child

“From the ages of 10 to 13, Coles was molested by a man his mother later married. To endure something like that “is devastating,” Coles said after practice one day last week as the Jets prepared for their home opener on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. “My trust level for people just left,” he said. “It just kind of destroyed my relationships, with allowing new people into my life.”(NY Times)

Says Coles, “Some kids do look up to us,” he said. “Maybe if I say something, they’ll feel strong enough to say, ‘I can say something now because it’s happened to him.’ Even if it’s one kid who I can touch, who my story gives him the strength to come out and say something, I feel like it’s worth it.”