Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Football Players

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Luke Easter August 30, 2013 7:28 pm (Pacific time)

Programs are shifting towards academics, Rome wasn't built in a day. Still, thousands out side of football have jobs because of it. During the last lockout I saw a story on a woman who did the players laundry. She was forced to enroll her kids in public schools because she could no longer afford private. No, the NFL and College Football employs too many to shut it down and standards are raising not getting lower. "Marketable Skills" can be taught just like the ability to read a playbook. Too many kids and their families would be lost w/o football. Ever hear of Texas? Better not walk down (not a back ally) main street with that attitude. Don't hate the game, fix it. Obviously U R a Ping Pong or Curling Lover. I rather do 2 to 3 years in the NFL than 30 years on a garbage truck. That job will always be there but once the window for the Pro's closes, Goodbye Charlie.

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Steve Moylett August 28, 2013 1:21 pm (Pacific time)

Luke the key is "marketable skills." Standards continue to get lowered so some players can play for 2 to 3 years, maybe more if they Redshirt. The NFL can easily set up something similar to what baseball has in regards to their minor leagues. Time to turn things around in education, beginning in grade school. Have you seen the graduation rates for some of these top schools? Hell you have some who are walking around with degrees who cannot even read above the 4th grade level. They are the ones being hurt...I did ROTC in college, then went into the military in 1964-1968. I was planning on a career, until Mr. TET said "NO!" We can still have great football with players who can also compete in the classroom. A former player on my team, Terry Baker at OSU, certainly proved that. And yes I agree that the team experience with good responsible coaches is a super character-building experience...but academics should always be primary when in school.

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Luke Easter August 28, 2013 6:52 am (Pacific time)

100% of Nothing is still Nothing. However, even if only 50% graduate (or even less) that's still something. $$$ from colllege athletics is in the BILLIONS. Ohio State Football beings in revenues upwards of $200 million annually to local business in and around Columbus. Just think of how many people have jobs outside of football because of football. BTW, if degrees were awarded for athletic performance then would not 90% + receive a diploma? As for your playing days, did you or did you not hone leadership skills and expand networking? Did it teach you not to fear and to step out into the unknown? Advance in the face of adversity? That you can accomplish/achieve against insurmountable odds? Football will seperate the Men from the Boys. Do you want to go into battle with boys? New American Standard Bible: Deuteronomy 20:8, "Then the officers shall speak further to the people and say, 'Who is the man that is afraid and fainthearted? Let him depart and return to his house, so that he might not make his brothers' hearts melt like his heart.'

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Steve Moylett August 27, 2013 8:50 am (Pacific time)

Luke at one time I would be 100% in support of your position, but considering the very low numbers of college football athletes who actually finish college with marketable skills, scholarships simply need to be re-assessed. I say put the priority on academic achievement, and for those who cannot cut it, then, at least in taxpayer supported state schools, end their scholarships. Let them have the chance to bring their academic performance, say one year, if not, then that's it. We need to upgrade our educational performances across the board. As far as private colleges, well take them out of the competition unless they can prove their players are meeting similar academic performance standards. Evaluations would be totally anonymous so as to maintain color-blind fairness. After all college degrees should be awarded for academic achievement, not for athletic performance. Hell let the NFL set-up a system like baseball and allow some low performing student players to go there for training/experience. Note: I play 3 years Pop Warner, 4 years High School and 3 years in College, Division I.

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Luke Easter August 26, 2013 3:33 pm (Pacific time)

No! Do let them grow up to be football players. However, devise better/safer, "state of the Art Equipment" so a diagnosis of, "CTE" will no longer be part of the game billions of fans know as the, "NFL" and all levels leading up to the pinnacle of sports Entertainment. Many kids would never experience a college level education were it not for Footbal. Not to mention the ledership skills, chairties benefited, cultural advancment, monetary opportunities, etc., etc. Because you'd have to X-out the NHL as well, the greatest team international sport in existence. No! It's not basketball, sccocer or baseball. Due to the fact that, "CTE" is not an issue aside from the occassional scoccer, "Head Butt" and those guys are smart enough to keep that few and far between.

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