Attorney General Greg Abbott and Mack Brown
	Sheryl Cates, Texas Council on Family Violence Chief executive officer (left), Attorney General of Texas Greg Abbott and Mack Brown

· Video: Press conference (Office of the Attorney General Web site)

Texas head coach Mack Brown and Attorney General of Texas Greg Abbott teamed up Tuesday to commend fathers who provide a nurturing home for their children, and asked dads from across the state to join in the fight against domestic abuse.

"I would like to say congratulations to all of the fathers who are doing right by being great leaders in their family, being a great husband, and being a great role model for their children," Brown said.

The message was especially timed to coincide with Father’s Day, which is Sunday, June 17.

"Texas is filled with fathers who exhibit real strength, character, and courage every day by fostering loving homes for their families," remarked Attorney General Abbott. "We salute them and encourage them to take a tough stance against domestic violence."

Sheryl Cates, Texas Council on Family Violence Chief (TCFV) executive officer, joined Brown and Attorney General Abbott to highlight the important role men can play in preventing domestic abuse.

"Fathers are so influential in our lives and the lives of our children, and have such an important role to play in creating a world without domestic violence," Cates said. "Men can prevent children from suffering from the long-term harm of domestic violence by setting examples for the young people in their lives, speaking out against abuse wherever they see it, and teaching the value of healthy, respectful relationships."

She also emphasized TCFV research which indicates that men, particularly sports figures, can have a huge impact in dispelling "macho" attitudes and other myths about domestic violence.

"In sports and in life the true test of greatness is measured by integrity on and off the field," said Brown. "In the same way, we hope all Texas dads who create nurturing homes for their kids will take that step of true courage by being role models outside of the home and letting other men in their community know that family violence is unacceptable. Men just need to do what they know to be right."

Brown, who is a father of four, recognized how hard it is to constantly be a good role model.

"The two most important things in my life are to be a good husband and to be a good father," Brown said. "And both of those are very difficult to do because they are roles that we have to fulfill everyday. You have to be a good father when you feel bad, you have to be a good husband when you've had a bad day, when you've got a headache, when you're tired, or when you've lost a football game."

Attitude, trust, and respect are three important themes Brown emphasizes to his players each and every day and that he says translate into the home.

"We have a couple of things that we're building on right now. This summer we gave all of our players and staff members wristbands that read, 'Attitude is everything.' The band is worn on your left wrist unless you're negative in which case you have to move it to the right [wrist]."

Coach Brown went on to extend the same challenge that he had given to his players, "I'd like to challenge all the fathers and men in the great state of Texas to stand-up and have a great attitude," Brown remarked. "If you can be positive everyday and keep the wristband on your left wrist for 21-straight days than you've changed an attitude. And that's what we're working to do with our football team and ourselves because everything starts with attitude."

Brown went on to highlight the importance of building trust within your family.

"It is our responsibility to build trust with our spouses and with our children so that they can in turn be able to trust others,” he said.

The Longhorns' head coach also spoke about the importance of respect.

"You have to have respect," Brown emphasized. “In football, if we don't respect our opponents, we're going to get beat. If you don't respect your family, your wife, your children, your friends, and if you don't respect the law, then really you have nothing because you can't respect yourself."

Brown concluded by urging fathers across the state of Texas to take a stand against domestic violence and to lead by example.

"Our common purpose today is that all fathers stand-up for what's right, stand-up with a positive attitude and a smile, and learn to communicate, trust, and respect,” he said. “We're asking you to be great role models every day of the year."