The biggest trend in the sports world right now is college athletes getting paid from boosters, agents, special treatment from coaches, etc. Whether it’s Jim Tressel and Terrelle Pryor or the Miami Hurricanes football teams, everyone is freaking out about college athletes committing the biggest sin of all; receiving illegal benefits.
Pryor and the Ohio State debacle really grinds my gears. Pryor, doing one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard, “allegedly,” traded his Bowl Rings, jerseys and other items for a tattoo. Yes, that’s right; he needed a tattoo so bad that he was willing to risk everything he had ever worked for athletically, for a tattoo. Not only did he get into trouble, but he screwed over Ohio State’s football program, not to mention forcing legendary coach Jim Tressel to cover for him leading to his dismissal from the team. Today, the NFL declared Pryor eligible for the NFL Supplemental Draft on Monday. What kind of punishment is that? Way to set an example. Pryor initially was going to stay at Ohio State for his senior season, until these rumors of him doing illegal activities arose. So, he was late declaring for the original draft. His only “punishment” is that when Pryor gets drafted he can’t practice or play until Week 6. What kind of message is that?
Miami University has an interesting situation arising in the last week. Allegations of a Miami booster, Nevin Shapiro, giving “gifts” to Miami football players from years 2002-2010 are being investigated heavily by the NCAA. These gifts were not just the average money payments but, prostitutes were bought for players, cars, houses, jewelry, even an abortion was paid for by Shapiro for a player, allegedly. Now, the NCAA declares they are going to set precedence with Miami University if these allegations are true. The “Death Penalty,” is rumored to be the punishment for the school, (taking away Miami’s Division I title). But, there is a lot to factor into this. Shapiro is singing like a bird with these allegations due to the fact his sitting behind bars serving a twenty-year jail sentence for his own illegal actions. Some say the creditability of Shapiro can really be questioned.
Coming from a college-aged athlete, I have my own views on these situations. First, let me say that if you are privileged enough to get a full athletic scholarship to a major school, you better count your blessings. The fact that you don’t have to pay $80,000+ for an education should be treasured and not taken advantage of. In saying that, many people don’t know that a scholarship athlete is a full-time job. Outside of schooling, athletes’ days are full of training, practicing, working out and playing.
I would even address the stupidity of Pryor getting a tattoo, but the situation with Miami is definitely nothing new to college. I guarantee that there is way more situations like this happening at college nationwide, but they are able to keep it “hush-hush.” As a young, poor, college kid, if someone offers you a brand new car, or money, or jewelry for free, what are you going to do? Would it really be that easy to just say, “Oh, no thanks, I don’t need the new Mercedes.” Especially, when you see the amount of money you generate for the schools’ athletic program every Saturday when you play a football game? Wouldn’t you want a piece of the pie? It’s illegal though, that’s the bottom line.
Adults and coaches should know better than to tempt these players, but it’s a sticky situation to get into. The NCAA is really getting themselves into a pickle and some action must be taken in the future. I’m just glad I’m not the one who has to make that tough decision.
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