Wednesday, April 28, 2010

PURSING EDUCATION OR NFL RICHES?

The story that closed the NFL draft was the Tennessee Titans selecting Florida State safety Myron Rolle in the sixth round as the 207th overall pick.

Myron Rolle was slated to go in the first round of the 2009 draft. What caused him to drop so far? Was it talking to an agent while still a student? Did he suffer a potentially career ending injury while in school? Were there any negative character issues while he was at Tallahassee?

No.

He was a Rhodes scholarship recipient pursuing his M.A. in medical anthropology with the intent to someday open a free health services clinic in the Bahamas. Mr. Rolle joins a list of well known Rhodes Scholars.

(If you read his Wikipedia page, take note given the recent events in Arizona: his parents and older siblings were born in the Bahamas. Like everyone else, Mr. Rolle was the product of immigration.)

Since the NFL is on average a four year career, it is clear that Mr. Rolle has a secondary plan. His thinking: "If the NFL doesn't work out, I have something else that I can do."

He did live up to the STUDENT aspect of student-athlete while he was at Florida State earning his degree in 3-1/2 years while maintaining a GPA of 3.75.

There needs to be MORE stories like these instead of one involving a franchise quarterback drunk in a bar cavorting like an orangutan in heat. (Comment currently being worked on.)

However, some NFL analysts have questioned his character and commitment to the game. In the following article, it opens with quotes from well known analysts followed by a satirical letter about how an NFL front office judges character.

He sacrificed quite a bit to be BOTH a Rhodes Scholar and have the chance to play in the NFL.

I am rooting for him to succeed. Not just on the field, but off it as well.

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