Over the last seven years, I have come to the conclusion that college football is a lot better than the NFL. There may not be as much talent, but there’s certainly more passion and suspense. Say what you will about the irrationality of the BCS, but the importance of every single game is magnified because of it. The primary difference between the two is above all else… money. First-round draft picks and free agents are always signing contracts that guarantee millions of dollars. This can lead to apathy and a lack of loyalty, but no one can deny that they deserve part of the revenue. Student-athletes are given full scholarships, textbooks, room and board, but is that really enough?
College coaches can make up to seven figures every year, and surpluses are common from all of the revenue football generates. The NCAA has strict rules and regulations for compensating players though. They’re the ones doing all the hard work on the field, but they are severely punished for any infraction that may involve a booster or an agent. The Georgia Bulldog’s wide receiver A.J. Greene was suspended for four games for selling his authentic game-worn jersey, while the University continues to make thousands of dollars on the sale of the replicas. Can you blame a guy for trying to make a buck?
The Reggie Bush saga has finally ended after an investigation that lasted for almost five years. His Heisman Trophy will be stripped for the first time in seventy-five year history of the award. For what you ask? His inability to refuse the lavish gifts that boosters and agents insisted he have. Southern Cal was forced to vacate all of their wins in its championship-winning season, and they will not be bowl-eligible until 2012. It’s hard to feel bad for Lane Kiffin, who abandoned Tennessee after only one season. These penalties make sense, but taking away Reggie’s trophy doesn’t seem right to me. O.J. Simpson never had to give his back after being accused of murder. Others have been caught using performance enhancers or charged with drug possession. This is unprecedented, and in my opinion…undeserved. He was the best player on the field in 2004; over a thousand voters can attest to that.
The NCAA and NFL’s relationship continues to be on shaky ground, but their coexistence will always be necessary. It is a difficult task to monitor the actions of every talented individual on any given college football team. Scouts and agents are constantly in their heads, offering them the life they’ve always dreamed of. Patience and restraint is not easy, especially when immediate gratification is being offered. Nick Saban said that agents are like pimps, who prey on the unsuspecting athletes with bright futures. The NFL has to do something about this, and the NCAA needs to give some of these athletes a break. Salaries may ruin the “innocence” of college football, but there has to be some kind of compromise. No one knows what the future may hold; we can only hope that some kind of solution can be found. Some kind of Plus-1 title game would be awesome too…just saying.
