My rant about the college recruitment process
Is there any wonder why these college players are so immature when they enter the NFL? Right from the get-go, these kids are given everything they want, told everything they want to hear, and essentially convinced they're gods gift to earth so they'll sign that letter of intent. They're athletically gifted individuals, with no chance of maturing because of constant praise by everyone around them.
The process begins with a slew of letters from every major college in America raving about your every move. They'll tell you exactly what they want to hear just so you'll put on that jersey. Upon arrival, these kids are served on an athletics first, academics second type of program. Classes are simply something they have to do to graduate; football comes first, second, and third. After being pushed through the college system with a chance to be drafted, these athletes are contacted by every major agent in the business offering them money, houses, cars and anything they could ever wish for, just so they'll sign the contract which entitles the agent to 10% of their earnings. All is good once that contract is signed.
Previous to the new CBA, top-5 picks generally yielded contracts in the $60-80 million dollar range without playing a single snap in the NFL. Eric Berry was selected with the 5th pick of the 2010 NFL draft, and was immediately rewarded as the highest paid safety in NFL history. Great way to teach kids the value of money. Recently the new CBA has prohibited these absurd contracts to a degree, but there's still a lot of money to be had.
My point is, you'll never understand the value of something until you earn it. Twenty year old men are exiting the college ranks into superstardom, and given 80 million dollars. What the heck do you expect them to do with it, invest in stocks? JaMarcus Russell is the perfect example of what I'm preaching. 6 year-68 million four years ago, and no one even knows what he's doing right now. Potentially the most athletically gifted quarterback to ever be drafted, but he never understood work ethic, or the value of money. He's now without a job, and without money.
Most kids are guided along the way by parents or mentors, but without someone bringing them back down to earth, they become mindless. It's not their fault, it's the process we've created for them.
Sorry to sound judgemental to some degree, but it's truly something that bothers me. Thank goodness for the athletes that make it to the NFL and remain grounded. It's possible. There's still hope yet.
Last edited by ibengals; 11-08-2012 at 02:00 PM.
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11-08-2012, 01:54 PM
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