Football Factories

Do not get me wrong, college football is a unbelievable game. It probably is more “pure” (that can be debated with recent accusations) than the NFL but I view it as nothing but a football factory. I don’t care who wins or loses, I don’t care who wins the Heisman, I don’t care who plays in the Southwest Frito’s Pancake Bowl (may or may not be a real bowl game). All that matters to me is how Player X looks against Team Y. I look at college football as the AAA to major league baseball. This may not be the greatest way for a football blogger in the college/prospect division to view the college game (or maybe it is fine. no loyalty to a team allows me to view prospects without bias) but I believe it is more sad/worrisome that I am not the only person who looks at the college game as a factory.

It has been a long time controversy in regards to whether college players should be paid. Don’t give me the “these young men are getting an education, that is their pay” line. I’m talking dollar, dollar, bills, yo (Kenny Powers voice). NCAA violations seem to be sprawling across ESPN’s bottom line more frequently every day. Who do we blame? The players? The coaches? The boosters? Or is it just the way it is?

Situations just over the past year include Cam Newton (Heisman Trophy winner), Terrelle Pryor (#1 QB prospect in 2008), other “The” Ohio State members, USC and mostly recently “The” U. Yahoo Sports reported a variety of infractions involving Miami University players that resemble a good night in Vegas, minus the nautical adventures. Funny (sarcasm) how the one constant in all these cases is that someone sees an opportunity for money to be made. In my option, NCAA administators are to shoulder just as much of the blame as the agents and “advisors” to these young men. They all have lost sight about what college is really about, educating young men and women on how to be responsible, honest members of society and instead see an opportunity to make money. Where is the line that has to be crossed in which someone finally realizes drastic changes have to be made to the compensation players receive at the college level and how players interact with boosters/alumni/any person who wants a piece of financial pie. While it might be okay for someone like me to look at the college game as a football factory, it is time for others to not look at collegiate sports as a factory to make money.