A More Perfect Union

In the 1950's, the term "Student-Athlete" was coined by the NCAA. In the public eye, this was a move to promote the value of academia. Behind closed doors, this term was a means of relieving the NCAA of responsibility. This term meant that any college athlete was not an employee of the school, meaning that the schools were free from normal payment practices, workman's compensation for athletes, and the threat of student athlete unionization. For over 60 years, this has been a key staple of the NCAA and a means for the organization to generate billions of dollars in revenue each year.

This week, a major court ruling by the National Labor Relations Board looks to jeopardize the standing of the NCAA. On Wednesday, the NLRB ruled that Northwestern University football players could unionize and collectively bargain with the university. Key topics for discussion would focus on workman's compensation for injured players, according to representatives of the team. This decision goes directly against the loopholes that have allowed the NCAA to blossom in the money making juggernaut that it has become. For now, this ruling only applies to private college teams, meaning that the larger public university, including powerful programs like Alabama and Ohio State, can still ban player unionization. Regardless, it is a landmark ruling and is sure to shake the foundation of the NCAA.

We may be seeing this image more often in the next few years

Like most cases involving the NCAA, this decision comes with a great deal of controversy. The ability for college football players to unionize has consequences that extend well beyond the football field. One controversial aspect of the ruling means that private colleges now have an advantage in terms of recruiting. Should the players choose to unionize, new recruits may be enticed to forgo playing for a traditionally powerful program in favor of the ability to bargain for workman's comp. this is dangerous scenario for these larger public schools and one that could change the landscape of college football. Another controversial aspect of this decision comes in relation to Title IX, which regulates gender equality within the schools. The current ruling only applies to football, which is an all-male sport. Should the football players be given the opportunity to bargain for health care related expenses and larger scholarships, there would be a difference in benefits between male and female athletes, an act which is illegal under Title IX. This may be a large sticking point for many of the schools and could hinder negotiations between the two sides.

This is a landmark ruling, one that has the potential to change the landscape of college football. The Northwestern players have a month to decide whether to unionize, a decision which could open the floodgates. It will be interesting to see what repercussions occur within the next few weeks and will be something that I will be following closely.

A look into the money that flows through NCAA, but not for the players

Dual Threat in Dual Sports

To all the athletes out there: remember the days when you were a jack of all trades? When the words "off season" were not a part of your vocabulary. When you were not the star of one team, but played on multiple teams in multiple sports? Nowadays, athlete specialization is occurring at younger ages, with children as young as the 6th grade beginning to specialize in one sport. According to the study, specialization at such a young age can lead to greater possibilities of injury, stress, and burnout. Young athletes strive to develop elite level skills so quickly that they often neglect the development inherent in participating in a variety of activities and engaging with different personalities. It's a race to be the best, even if it means making sacrifices.

At what age should he give up the diamond to focus on the court?

Does this mean that multi-sport athletes are a dying breed? According to Jameis Winston, this may not be the case. Just months after leading the Florida State Semionles to a BCS National Championship in football, Winston has announced that he plans on playing baseball this spring for the university. For Winston, baseball has always been a love of his and he is not willing to give up on that love quite yet. Playing both outfield and pitching, Winston must not only find time to work on his pitching mechanics, but also work on his throwing motion on the football field during spring practices. Right now, Winston says that be balance has not been too difficult, as he has been able to participate actively in both sports without too much overlap. It definitely helps that head football coach Jimbo Fisher fully supports Winston in his decision to be a dual sport athlete, as long as he keeps his arm healthy. Until he is forced to choose one sport, Winston hopes to continue playing both sports throughout his time as FSU.

Jameis Winston is not the first dual-sport athlete. Sport legends such as Deion Sanders, Bo Jackson, and Michael Jordon have all played professionally in two sports. Hell, even Russell Wilson, just days after winning a Superbowl, reported to Rangers camp to participate in Spring Training. Jameis Winston is just the newest addition to a list a high profile athletes who love playing sports and can't choose just one. Is Winston the best dual sport athlete we have ever seen? I doubt it, especially given his recent outing in an exhibition with the New York Yankees. However, it will certainly be fun to watch a young athlete do what he loves without sacrifice. I applaud Jameis Winston and hope more collegiate athletes follow his lead.

Just hope he brings the right gear to the right practice

Playing Outside D1

There are many iconic images that come to mind when thinking about college football. Thousands of screaming young fans packed shoulder to shoulder, chanting and cheering their team onto victory. A tower stadium, taller and mightier than any of the other buildings on campus. A team full of players who are gifted with the right abilities and characteristic to make them a future player in the NFL. These are the images of big time football. This is what people pay to see, what television networks want to cover, and what people want to write about. But what happens when you take away some of the larger aspects of this style of game? What happens when 100,000 fans turns into 1,000? What happens when the stadium is only slightly larger than a high school field? What happens when the players realistically aren't going to be playing in the NFL? Does the game itself change? These are just a few of the characteristics that make up Division II and III football programs in the NCAA.

Just a little bit smaller than the Coliseum

The sad truth about college football is that size matters. When a team only has 36 scholarships to give out each year (or in the case of Division III, there are no scholarships), it is hard to fill a team with deep talent. Pair that with the fact that the most highly touted athletes are being recruited to play at bigger Division I schools. Many top prospects don't even consider Division II or III schools when looking at schools to attend.  The players that do end up attending Division II or III schools may not be the best athletes, but they have the heart and skill to continue to play the game that they love competitively. Unfortunately, heart and desire don't drive television ratings. Television networks unfortunately aren't interested in producing content around schools where there are only a few hundred fans in the seats. There were a few games televised this past year, yet these are only a handful of games out of thousands played each year. With everyone watching the bigger programs with the better players, it is hard for the players on Division II and III teams to get noticed by fans and scouts. 

So, what happens to these players after college? Chances are that they will not be drafted by an NFL team in the months leading up to graduation, yet many of them still want to play football competitively. They still have the dream to play football at a professional level, yet the NFL is not in the cards at the moment. That is where some of the smaller professional leagues come in. Leagues such as the Canadian Football League and the Arena Football League give players the opportunity to continue to play the game that they love and develop their skills. Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to attend a CFL combine hosted by the company that I work for and see first hand a group of Division II and Division III athletes showcase themselves in front of scouts. I am not sure if any of the players present will be signed, but there was at least some interest from the scouts in certain players. 

Leagues like the CFL are a great opportunity for these young players to continue to develop their skills and play the game of football. And who knows, some of the players at the combine may end up succeeding in the smaller leagues and could move onto the NFL. What I do know is that Division II and III players are finally getting the recognition that they deserve. 

Good luck boys

Slow Down for Saban

Football is a naturally fast game. Grown men hurtle full speed at each other, colliding with each other and crashing to the ground with the force of a car crash.  Passes fly 40 yards for a touchdown in the blink of an eye, the celebrations starting before you even start cheering. In recent years, the game has continued to speed up, with up-tempo, no-huddle offenses becoming the popular new trend in college football. Teams like Oregon, Auburn, and Baylor have used this high-tempo scheme to wear down the opposing defense and put up massive amount of points. For some of the more old-school coaches such as Nick Saban, this faster style of play is not a great fit for the college game. It only makes sense that Saban would be one of the largest supporters of a proposed rule change that would limit the ability for an offense to run at a high-tempo.

Come on guys! Slow it down a bit

This new rule, rightly nicknamed "the Saban Rule" would force an offense to wait until 10 seconds have run off the play clock before snapping the ball. Under the current rules, teams are allowed to snap the ball as soon as the players become set. With the proposed new rule, the defense could would be able to substitute players more easily, taking away the advantage that the offense had by playing quickly. The main argument for this proposed rule change is that it would improve player safety. Saban and other argue that this up-tempo style of play increases the risk of fatigue-related injuries for the defensive players who can't get off of the field in time. The proposed rule will be presented to the Playing Rules Oversight panel on March 6th, so until then, both sides of the argument will be voicing their opinions. The debate as already become heated, as both sides have gone public on their opinions of the opposing arguments and supporters. 

It only makes sense that this rule has been nicknamed "the Saban Rule" as he has been pushing for limits to no-huddle offenses for years. It is a well known fact that Saban prefers the old-school "grind it out on the ground" style of offense, one that is slow and methodical. He claims that it is for player safety, but many say these claims are baseless. Many more believe that his motivations for passing this new rule is to help his defense, which has consistently struggled against no-huddle offenses. While the Alabama offense will consistently win them games, their defense has been known for its let downs. If Saban was able to slow down the game, he would give the edge back to his defense, making Alabama a seemingly unbeatable team. 

One of the best things about college football is how even the most heavily favored team can be beaten by the underdog on any given Saturday. The high-tempo offense gives a smaller team the ability to play the role of David in taking down Goliath. It would be a great shame to limit the speed of the game. I say let the boys play, even if it is a bit too fast for Saban.

Speed beats strength

Standing Strong

What does it mean to be strong? Does it mean that you are the best athlete, in peak physical condition? Does it mean that you are mentally tough, able to overcome any roadblock with ease? Does it mean that you are a leader, willing to take things head on and help others succeed with you? Does it mean that you are morally strong, always standing up for what he or she believes is just and right? There are only a select few people who embody multiple meanings of strength and this week, the world was introduced to one such person. Late last Sunday, a college football player named Michael Sam came out about his sexuality on national television. This act in itself takes strength, but the fact that Sam could potentially be first current NFL player to be openly gay shows us just how strong of a man he really is.

One of Sam's interviews with the New York Times

This is not the first time that Sam has been in the national spotlight for his football career. Last season at the University of Missouri, Sam was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the SEC for his outstanding play that lead the Tigers to a 12-2 season and a Cotton Bowl Victory. It was at the beginning of that fantastic season that Sam decided to come out to his coaches and teammates. According to Sam, his teammates rallied around and supported him, making him feel like he was truly part of a family. This news, coupled with his stellar college career, has made him a potential target for a number of NFL teams in the upcoming draft. Slated to go somewhere in the middle rounds of the draft, Sam would be able to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL and should make an impact no matter where he goes.

However, as is the case with most stories that break on ESPN, there is a good deal of controversy surrounding Sam's future in the NFL. While the NFL as a whole has backed Sam's decision to come out, there are a number of players who say that they would not be comfortable with having an openly gay teammate. Some argue that the "locker room mentality" that many of the current NFL players have would have to be drastically changed should Sam step become a member of the team, making some players uneasy. Adding fuel to the fire are recent reports about Sam's family life, which is strained to say the least. While he is not the first openly gay athlete in sports, as both NBA free agent Jason Collins and MLS player Robbie Rogers have come out as gay in the past year, it is potentially the first time that a current NFL player has come out. The media spotlight will not only be on Sam, but the team that drafts him as well, with some fearing that it could serve as a distraction.

The NFL has and always will be a sport dominated by male bravado and strength. In this league, only the strongest survive and prosper. For the longest time, being an openly gay man in the locker room would have been seen as weakness. This is no longer the case. From now on, Michael Sam is the strongest man in any locker room. He is physically, mentally, and morally strong, a true leader willing to put the team first. There has already been an outpouring of support for Sam and there are a great number of people who want to see him succeed. Not only will he be a great player, but he will be a fantastic role model, seen as a game changer on and off the field. The road to change is full of adversity and scrutiny. Michael Sam must now travel this path, as strong as ever. 

Not the last time we will see Michael Sam's name on the football field

2014 National Signing Day Drama

I'm going to be honest here: the off season for college football is an incredibly boring one. Following the Championship Game, there is usually a few days of excitement, with coaches being fired and hired, players transferring schools, and announcements of going pro. Problem is, once you hit the middle part of January, all that news and excitement begins to die down. The focus shifts away from the results of the last season to the preparation for next year. However, there is one day in the cold, dreary month of February where the teams come out from hibernation and put college football back onto the front page of the news. Every first Wednesday of February, thousands of young men and women sign National Letters of Intents to play sports at the collegiate level. For college football, this means an 11 hour televised event of all the major college announcements from the top recruits.

Oh look, 4 more weeks without football

Due to a favorable class schedule and desire to sit aimlessly on my couch for hours on end, I decided to spend my day watching kids decide where the are going to spend the next few years of their lives (read: becoming jealous of the fact that they have accomplished more in their life in 17 or 18 years than I have in 21). So, here are my winners and losers of National Signing Day:

Winners:

1) Alabama

Say what you want about Nick Saban, the man knows how to recruit. For the third year in a row, Alabama has had the top recruiting class in college football, bringing 27 stellar athletes into the program. Of those 27, 19 are in ESPN 300 rankings, which ranks the 300 best high school football players in the current graduating class. What really sets this recruiting class apart is the fact that Alabama was able to strengthen areas that had been weaker last season (read: the secondary and the offensive line). Recruits such as Cameron Robinson and Da'Shawn Hand will make immediate impacts for this Crimson Tide team that ended the 2013 campaign on a sour note. To make things even sweeter, Saban was able to steal a top recruit from a rival (see "Losers" below) Roll Tide!

Some say the Devil wears Crimson

2) USC

Shout out to my professor, Dr. Usher, on this one. This was one of the bigger surprises of signing day, as the Trojans were able to secure 19 recruits on Signing Day, putting them in 14th place in terms of their recruiting class. Hands down the biggest splash of the day came when highly touted Cornerback Adoree' Jackson decided to forgo Alabama and rival UCLA and decided to attend USC next fall. In one of the more bizarre announcements I have ever seen, Jackson surprised the nation and decided join new coach Steve Sarkisian in rebuilding a proud USC program. Other big signings include Damien Mama, the #4 Offensive Guard in the nation, who will help add girth and strength to the line. Even with the scholarship restrictions, USC looks poised to rebuild and reclaim its spot as a dominant program in college football.

Losers: 

1) Auburn

While rival Alabama had a field day on Signing Day, Auburn looked as if it never got an invitation. As a whole, the Auburn recruiting class is a solid one, ranked number 8 in the nation. However, the big story of the day was Rashaan Evans' decision to attend rival Alabama. Evans lives in the town of Auburn, Alabama and was widely believed to stay local for the next four years of college. Instead, he jumped ship and left a lot of Auburn fans with a sour taste in their mouths. To make matters worse, it was discovered that prior to Evans' announcement, Auburn had placed him on their athletics page as the poster child of their recruiting class. To make matters even worse, one of their 4-Star recruits was arrested over the weekend for marijuana possession with the intent to sell. Not the best PR for the team. In the end, the 2014 Signing Day will remembered more for what Auburn lost over what they gained.

I would put this down as a social media blunder

2) Oregon

Oh how the mighty have fallen. Over the past few seasons, the Oregon Ducks have been at the peak of college football standings, constantly winning and bringing explosive young talent to Eugene, Oregon. This year however, the Ducks didn't make quite the slash that they were hoping for (see what I did there?). The Ducks came in at 27th place in terms of their recruiting class, with only 2 recruits in the ESPN 300 rankings. With USC making big splash moves, I worry about Oregon's ability to compete at a higher level in the coming seasons. 

Conference which had the best day: SEC

7 of the Top 10 recruiting classes are teams within the SEC.  Look forward to continued dominance by the SEC.

Conference which had the worst day: Big 12

For a conference that is looking to rebuild, the Big 12 did not do a great job of recruiting top talent this year. No teams in the top 10 recruiting classes and no big name players were signed with Big 12 teams. Sorry Coach Strong, looks like your rebuilding may start next year.


With Signing Day over, we can now all go back to our quiet off season, quietly waiting until spring practice begins. Damn you Punxsutawney Phil.  

Learning to Play Together

Let's face it, college football and academics have never seemed to really see eye to eye. Bring up a player's GPA and you will generally get more eye rolls than applause. It is a large generalization and one the is unfair, but it has unfortunately became part of the public's perception of the football player, seeing him as a dumb jock who has an aversion to attending class or doing homework. The media plays the stereotype up as well, with shows such as Blue Mountain State, which is described as "Animal House meets college football" (to be fair, it is a totally accurate description and is hands down one of my favorite shows of all time). With this unflattering image firmly ingrained into the media and public's mind, how can college football promote itself as leaders on the field and in the classroom?

Seriously, I love this show

Earlier this week, Norte Dame took a major step towards creating a happy marriage of football and school with the announcement that it would building a $400 million expansion to its football stadium.  What makes this expansion different and interesting is that the expansion includes building 3 academic buildings into the existing stadium. Yes, you heard me right, no need to pinch yourself. Academia and college football will be sharing the same space in one of the most iconic stadiums in the country. These buildings will house classrooms, a career center, a dinning hall, and a new digital media center among other things. Since space is limited at the university, the stadium was determined to be the best location. In return, the new buildings will bring stadium capacity up to 84,000 and will be used as a fan hospitality area during the games. Construction on the new buildings is set to begin within the next two years and should be completed in a little less than three years after that.

Now students can go directly to their classes after the game

Overall, I think that this is not only a great PR move for the university but also is a great decision. Not only does this show Norte Dame's commitment to academics, but it also connects it to its storied football program. Whenever games will be shown on television, the viewers will also see the new classrooms and space devoted to improving student life. Its also a victory for the football program with the additional seating and hospitality center. Best of all, it also the stadium to be used by students and faculty year-round rather than exclusively during home games. Plus, it actually looks better than I imagined. Imagine the views from some of the classrooms on the upper floors (and the students who will be caught staring at said view). I hope this trend catches on at other schools and that football and academics can finally work together. Or, at the very least, they can learn to play well together. 

Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna take off. I have a Super Bowl to watch.