Rachel's Ramblings
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Reggie Bush being stripped of the Heisman highlights a long standing problem within College Football. There's no disputing that colleges make millions and millions of dollars as a direct result of their football teams. Yes-many players receive scholarships (and a tiny stipend) for their service. At the end of their college career, relatively few make it to the NFL. Those who don't reach "the promise land" walk out the door with a college degree (many of which aren't worth the paper they're written on). Far too many also walk away with "war wounds" from 4 years playing a brutal sport...damaged knees or other joints that will never be the same (often causing lifelong chronic pain; health problems (most often offensive & defensive linemen) that are a result of being so heavy...obesity, diabetes, enlarged hearts, and even death at an early age. Most recently, head injuries that cause brain damage have been in the spotlight. While these young men put their bodies on the line, their schools continue to rake in the money. I can understand the temptation facing the players to "take what they can, while they can. I especially sympathize with the ones who accept money to help support their families...some of whom come from a financially desperate situation. Who among us wouldn't bend or break the rules to give their parents and siblings a better life? I would. The current system is definately broken, skewed in the universities' favor. I'd argue the schools are the definate winners...
September 17, 2010  09:31 AM ET

I read your blog, and share many of the same feelings you have. But I don't see where corruption enters the picture in any way, shape or form..even in your blog, other than the title.

The money that is 'raked in' by the schools is transferred mostly to other athletes in other sports, male and female, who would otherwise not have the opportunity to participate in college sports. Its hard to find much in this life that is completely fair.

September 17, 2010  12:26 PM ET

I suppose I could have touched on more aspects of this problem...such as the shady agents, marketing and financial advisors, personal trainers, and former players who make lots of money by tempting young athletes. These vultures use loopholes in the rules. Until these types of people are regulated in the same manner as actual agents, this problem will continue. However, a article on the SI website focused on all these issues a few days ago. Rather than repeating the same information, I chose to focus instead on this problem from the student athletes' perspective...which, I believe IS an aspect of corruption in college football.

 
September 18, 2010  09:49 PM ET

Good reading.

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