Is Ted Williams 15 Minutes of Fame Over?

Do you even remember who Ted Williams is? He is the homeless man with the silky-smooth radio voice who was found on the side of the interstate around Christmas 2010. He was swept up in a media frenzy that included job offers that would make a well-adjusted man weak in the knees.

There were many doubts that Mr. Williams would make it out of the gutter for good. There were many people betting and even wishing against him. He has many obstacles in his way. So what are his chances?

After meeting Mr. Williams on every morning and evening show on air, we were introduced to his mother. She seemed like such a sweet old lady, but something in my uttered, "no wonder", and instead of her being happy that her son was in this position, she expressed public disapproval and doubt. Perhaps an encouraging word was in order.

Shortly after Ted's mother hit the airways, the media began searching for his large family that he had left behind. People began calling his ex-wife a saint and him a villain. This is enough to drive any man to drink. A man with sobriety issues was sure to hit the bottle. Dr. Phil gave the public the most real view of his family. For the most part them mean well. Still the bitterness from some of his children, and a public fight with one of his daughters in a hotel, is sure to drive him over the edge. His ex-wife is probably the most well-meaning person in the group, but the stories about her sacrificing to raise all of his children is slightly exaggerated. She raised his 3 daughters and had his other children in the home with her from time to time, with other family members also helping to raise them. The oldest child wasn't even his. Still, he is under a magnifying glass for leaving all of his children, when it wasn't a complete abandonment.

His girlfriend is definitely an issue. If anyone has the power to prevent him from being successful (besides himself) it is she. On a Dr. Phil clip of her, she actually said she would rather the two of them have nothing, than having the fame take him away from her (paraphrasing). I found her comment truly selfish and disturbing.

If all of that was not enough to break the strongest of men, which Mr. Williams is not, Dr. Phil, while well meaning, pressured him into rehab, while other people were trying to pull him in the other direction. He did not stay there. So what does this mean for his future opportunities? Could his hurry to get to work for present business offers prevent longevity of his well-being? His mother, who confirmed that he had left rehab, stated, "I know he doesn't stick at things for long. Whatever it is, he soon tires of it. He thinks he can make it on his own, without rehab. And I'm sure he can't." If his mom can't have faith in him, who can?

Just as something about Mr. Ted Williams struck a cord in the nation, he also touched my heart. It is my prayer that he miraculously succeeds and that the business offers do not dry up. I truly wish him well, and hope others do too.