Time to Declare??

Of course, as a Tide fan, I am sorry to see Dre Kirkpatrick, Trent Richardson and Donte Hightower declare for the NFL draft. These are all three great talents and the team will miss them.


However, the information I have been able to find does not state whether any or all three of these young men have graduated and received their college degree. I can certainly understand the attraction of the NFL – money being the most obvious. Then, of course, there is the notoriety.

Personally, I wish it were unlawful for the NFL to draft any young athlete who has not graduated and received his degree and illegal for any young athlete to declare for the draft without first obtaining their degree. The opportunity to go “pro” certainly looks good to someone in that age range. The money offered is good – sounds like it is more than sufficient to secure their future as well as allow them to afford things they could never afford before – both for themselves and their families.

In spite of an obvious boost to their near future by going “pro”, if they do not have an education, what happens when an injury ends that pro career early on? It happens all the time. It only takes a second on the field to sustain a career ending injury. What do they fall back on then, if they do not have their college degree? What is in store for the future then?

What do you think?