My oh my! Every year collegiate players are investigated by the NCAA for breaking rules, or having been recruited illegally. Johnny Football- the defending Heisman Trophy winning quarterback from Texas A&M- is in hot water with the NCAA after holding multiple autograph sessions with memorabilia dealers for money. One of the big rules in college sports involves not profiting off of yourself- a rule Forrest Gump would be smart enough not to break. Manziel has broken this NCAA rule, and is likely lost for the season. Does anyone feel bad?
I am vehemently opposed to college athletes being paid. As Adam Schein said on his radio show on August 12, "It opens Pandora's Box about who to pay, how much to pay them, and if each gender/sport is paid." College athletes already get a full tuition- often including living and eating expenses. Do they need to be paid? Absolutely not.
Should Manziel be suspended by the NCAA? Absolutely- he broke a rule that is obvious enough not to break. The rule, however, is rotten. The NCAA profits off of players' likeness all the time- in video games, and on jersey sales to name a few (The NCAA took jerseys off of their website, but it doesn't mean much). Why shouldn't Manziel? If he is making money off of his autograph, I have no problems with it. If someone wanted the autograph of the 3rd string long snapper- and offered him a sizeable sum- he should be able to keep the money. He is not being paid by the school, thus avoiding the issue of paying college athletes. Is it rotten for memorabilia dealers to seek out college athletes? Probably. But the rule stinks- and Manziel should not be subjected to a punishment for his faux pas. The rule, however- rotten as it may be- is in place, and Manziel was incredibly foolish to have broken it. It's a shame too. Lots of talent will be wasted this season in Aggieland.
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