I confess that I've been around a long time. I confess that when I started watching college football, we were only a bit more than halfway through the last century. I get it: my expiration date is fast approaching!
I'm a fan of college football as it was a long time ago. Sure, lots of players have always wanted to be in the pro game, but I knew others who just loved the game and wanted a free education (realizing the truth, that chances of making the pros was slim). However, the image of college players being all about the school was a thing. I liked that. Sure, for lots of players it was an illusion, but I knew plenty of guys who played for Michigan (I was in the jock dorm) who were there because it was Michigan. Dan Dierdorf was a friend - there was a guy who was not only a future pro, he was all about the school, too. He loved playing for Michigan. And I had other friends on the team who played because they loved the sport but wanted other careers down the road.
Now with the TV money, the NILs, and other factors, college football is pretty much the same as professional football, just with younger squads. This makes me a little sad. I realize I'm in the minority. I also realize that with the zillions of dollars, the kids who are earning the schools the money deserve their share. It's just hard for me to reconcile kids playing football earning more than professors.
One question I have:
Should colleges and universities be sponsoring professional football teams? My gut instinct says no.
So I started the season determined to stop watching college football. Then I figured, maybe for old times' sake I'd watch only the opening kickoff of the first Michigan game. You can predict what happened: I watched the entire game. And every game since!
You see, I couldn't help myself. I'm addicted to Michigan football (I watch no other football, UM is my alma mater).
So, college football - I'm a sucker. A complete, 100%, sucker. I've watched every game this year. I'll attend one live, too. Because I'm that hopelessly addicted guy! Are you?
I'm a fan of college football as it was a long time ago. Sure, lots of players have always wanted to be in the pro game, but I knew others who just loved the game and wanted a free education (realizing the truth, that chances of making the pros was slim). However, the image of college players being all about the school was a thing. I liked that. Sure, for lots of players it was an illusion, but I knew plenty of guys who played for Michigan (I was in the jock dorm) who were there because it was Michigan. Dan Dierdorf was a friend - there was a guy who was not only a future pro, he was all about the school, too. He loved playing for Michigan. And I had other friends on the team who played because they loved the sport but wanted other careers down the road.
Now with the TV money, the NILs, and other factors, college football is pretty much the same as professional football, just with younger squads. This makes me a little sad. I realize I'm in the minority. I also realize that with the zillions of dollars, the kids who are earning the schools the money deserve their share. It's just hard for me to reconcile kids playing football earning more than professors.
One question I have:
Should colleges and universities be sponsoring professional football teams? My gut instinct says no.
So I started the season determined to stop watching college football. Then I figured, maybe for old times' sake I'd watch only the opening kickoff of the first Michigan game. You can predict what happened: I watched the entire game. And every game since!
You see, I couldn't help myself. I'm addicted to Michigan football (I watch no other football, UM is my alma mater).
So, college football - I'm a sucker. A complete, 100%, sucker. I've watched every game this year. I'll attend one live, too. Because I'm that hopelessly addicted guy! Are you?