When U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin threw out a National Football League eligibility rule on grounds it violated antitrust laws, she opened the door for young football players to turn professional right out of high school. The ruling came thanks to estranged Buckeye Maurice Clarett.*
Clarett, you may remember, was arguably THE player behind the Buckeyes' 2002 National Championship. He is also a petty criminal and in my opinion, a prima donna. Which either doesn't matter to, or perhaps proves he's ready for, the NFL. But I digress.
Since 1990, this NFL eligibility rule has forbidden players to go pro until they have either (1) been out of high school for three years or (2) completed three college football seasons. When Clarett was suspended from the Buckeye team following a rather embarrassing brush with the law, he sued to overturn the rule so he could enter the NFL ASAP.
I'm happy with the judge's decision. I'm sure Clarett is too. Of course, I won't be surprised if the 20-year-old throws a big fit if he isn't also awarded the "damages" he seeks for not being able to join last year's NFL draft. I say, if life was fair Clarett would have to pay damages to OSU, just for being a big nuisance. But life isn't fair, or very often just, on the field or off. Overturning this particular NFL rule, however, may be one way to right a few wrongs.
In announcing her decision, Scheindlin may have been trying to appeal to football fans by saying, "While ordinarily, the best offense is a good defense, none of these defenses hold the line. ...Because the NFL cannot prevail on any of these defenses, the rule must be sacked."
While her phrasing may draw smiles, the ruling is bound to make some fans hysterical. Not ordinary fans. But sports talk show hosts and the people who call them are already losing their voices over this...and of course, this isn't over. The NFL has already planned to appeal.
Since we're bound to hear plenty of arguments regarding the merits of college football programs, I'm putting my 2 cents in now:
Ohio's colleges-all colleges-should be institutes of higher education. They should NOT also try to be football's minor leagues.
I know college football programs make money, and not just for the school. I know college football programs contribute to a school's ability to attract good students. And I know fall in Ohio can be characterized in two words: BUCKEYE FOOTBALL.
Clarett, you may remember, was arguably THE player behind the Buckeyes' 2002 National Championship. He is also a petty criminal and in my opinion, a prima donna. Which either doesn't matter to, or perhaps proves he's ready for, the NFL. But I digress.
Since 1990, this NFL eligibility rule has forbidden players to go pro until they have either (1) been out of high school for three years or (2) completed three college football seasons. When Clarett was suspended from the Buckeye team following a rather embarrassing brush with the law, he sued to overturn the rule so he could enter the NFL ASAP.
I'm happy with the judge's decision. I'm sure Clarett is too. Of course, I won't be surprised if the 20-year-old throws a big fit if he isn't also awarded the "damages" he seeks for not being able to join last year's NFL draft. I say, if life was fair Clarett would have to pay damages to OSU, just for being a big nuisance. But life isn't fair, or very often just, on the field or off. Overturning this particular NFL rule, however, may be one way to right a few wrongs.
In announcing her decision, Scheindlin may have been trying to appeal to football fans by saying, "While ordinarily, the best offense is a good defense, none of these defenses hold the line. ...Because the NFL cannot prevail on any of these defenses, the rule must be sacked."
While her phrasing may draw smiles, the ruling is bound to make some fans hysterical. Not ordinary fans. But sports talk show hosts and the people who call them are already losing their voices over this...and of course, this isn't over. The NFL has already planned to appeal.
Since we're bound to hear plenty of arguments regarding the merits of college football programs, I'm putting my 2 cents in now:
Ohio's colleges-all colleges-should be institutes of higher education. They should NOT also try to be football's minor leagues.
I know college football programs make money, and not just for the school. I know college football programs contribute to a school's ability to attract good students. And I know fall in Ohio can be characterized in two words: BUCKEYE FOOTBALL.
Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article Opinion: NFL Loses, Clarett Wins...and so does higher education? in Ohio is owned by . Permission to republish Opinion: NFL Loses, Clarett Wins...and so does higher education? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
