NFL through Week 2, Athletic entitlement

OK, through two weeks of NFL competition, many people say it's too earlyto really know. But, is it really too early? We all saw the Cowboys look awful in pre-season, and they sit at 0-2. We all saw the Texans get after it in pre-season, and they sit at 2-0. Coincedentally, those two teams meet in Houston this weekend. Can anyone imagine Dallas going 0-3? For a team that was supposed to contend for the Super Bowl, this season has gotten sideways on them in a hurry, and Wade Phillips isn't the type of coach that can turn it around. Minnesota was another team that was supposed to contend, but their QB looks like he really doesn't want to be there, and they also sit at 0-2. The AFC East was supposed to be the Jets division for the taking. But their star CB is now out for a few weeks with a hamstring injury, and their QB is hit or miss. We'll see. Am I a Dolphins fan? Yes. Am I happy they are 2-0? Yes. Do I think it's going to last? Of course not. I do think they'll contend, and you have to tip your hat to their defensive performance so far. Hey, Tom Olivadotti......this is how the Dolphins are SUPPOSED to play defense. Sorry.....I had to get that last shot in there.
To college football, where Reggie Bush will voluntarily surrender his Heisman trophy to save the Heisman trust from taking it by force. Bush says his giving up the trophy is in no way an admission of guilt or wrongdoing. I beg to differ. If he's not guilty, then why wouldn't he fight to keep his reputation? He, like Pete Rose, is falling on the sword in this case because he doesn't want any dirty laundry aired in public. Which brings me to the entire issue of what these NCAA athletes are specifically entitled to. I keep hearing the same thing: These athletes should be paid because they can't buy "their" jersey from the college bookstore" or "These athletes should be paid because the school makes money off of what they do". They are being paid.....it's called a FREE college education. Go out and price a four year education at a college, room, board, books, tuition, the whole nine yards. These athletes sre getting that for free, and yet, they are still unhappy. In fact, most athletes on scholarship are on partial scholarships, so they have to pick up some of the tab. But, the people crying foul the most are those on full scholarship......go figure. I get that college athletics is a big-time business. I get that the universities are making money hand over fist. But, if we start paying these athletes, where does it end? If we start paying the football team, what do we pay the basketball team? If we start paying the basketball team, what do we pa the baseball team? And, if we start paying the male student-athletes, what do we pay the female student-athletes? It is a slippery slope, to be sure. But, just because one is a student-athlete, appears on TV each week, and his picture is on a school's media guide, or is used on promo material for a particular game, it doesn't mean that individual should be paid. He's already being paid with a free education.
Keeping it with my entitlement issue, there is a lawsuit making its way through the courts that some feel is going to tip this whole pay-the-student-athlete apple cart. It is a suit being brought against the NCAA by former athletes, most notably former UCLA basketball player Ed O'Bannon and former Nebraska QB Sam Keller. Their suit contends that EA Sports used their likenesses in their video games, and the athletes aren't being paid for it. Now, these video games have been around for quite a while. And, I'm quite sure, on some level, that an athlete somewhere aloong the line, thought of this very same topic. But, nobody has really taken it this far. My first question in this whole issue is this: How can you really tell that the image that is part of the game is, in fact, your likeness? Keller's argument on that question states that he is the only QB that played with a visor on his helmet AND used eye black. Really? And my second question in this whole issue is this: If these guys had any kind of career in the pros, would this really be an issue with them? It all seems like a money grab by them, as well as those associated with the suit, because they weren't good enough to make it to the professional level. I seriously hope that somewhere, a judge with an ounce of common sense throws this one out on its ear.


District play is getting ready to start for high school football. Conference play is set to begin for college football. And, of course, baseball is getting ready to start their playoff season. What a great time to be a sports fan. That's about all for now. My thanks to everyone for their support. Till next time...........


Patrick