While I randomly use through Monday, today will be a little different. Thanks to a friend, I have something singular to muse over.
http://ht.ly/242X5j
The gist of the story is that a High School football phenom shuns college to work with a quarterback coach and challenge the NFL's draft eligible rule. Financed by Nike, he can afford to tell the NCAA, "No Thanks! I'm good."
Considering the one play or less shelf life of a football player, I'm a little surprised it hasn't happened before. High School football has received unprecedented coverage on a national level, turning on the marketing machine at that level. All that seems to be missing is the LeBron James personality that could generate the hype in sufficient quantities.
The NCAA has made the situation plausible by insisting the college "education" received is compensation for the services rendered. Maybe it was in the days when NFL players worked in the offseason, but those days are long gone. While I strongly support education, I question the level of education received when the player is required to study film 20-30 hours weekly. I've heard coaches say, "That's what summer sessions are for." Isn't that when those "optional workouts" are needed?
The only thing preventing the realization of this fable is the number of all mighty dollars a Nike could be spurning by disconnecting College Football. The monster is huge, and the interest generated intense. The swoosh seems to be everywhere, and they had the guts to open a new golf market this way. Remember, "Hello world"?
Who would challenge the NFL's rule? Ohio State running back Maurice Clarrett was unsuccessful, last heard from with Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL after a stint in jail. Supposedly, he is playing rugby now.
For the moment, the price is too high to fail. It's a matter of time before someone makes it work. The question is, "Who?"
So...am I off base?
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