Posted on 10/12/2010 2:19:40 PM PDT by truthandlife
I will never forget the first time I paid a player.
There are moments you will always remember, like your first kiss or your first home run or the day you met your wife. For me, the first time I broke an NCAA rule to try to land a client is just as indelible.
It was before the 1990 football season, and I flew from Los Angeles to Denver and drove to the University of Colorado to try to meet with Kanavis McGhee. He was a big, pass-rushing linebacker who was expected to be a high pick in the 1991 NFL draft. I was 20 years old -- the youngest agent ever certified by the NFL Players Association -- and had less than a year's experience, but for whatever reason I convinced myself that I had a shot with him.
I figured out where Kanavis lived, drove to his apartment and knocked on the door. No one answered, so I waited. About four hours later, Kanavis finally came home and I bum-rushed him at the door.
"Hey, Kanavis, my name is Josh Luchs. I'm a sports agent, and I flew here from Los Angeles specifically for you," I said. "You're a great player and I came a long way, and I'd really appreciate it if you would sit down and talk to me for a few minutes."
(Excerpt) Read more at sportsillustrated.cnn.com ...
Recent? Like what, 15 years ago? And this is relevant to what about the double standard between physical and mental gifts in prospecting for jobs in college?
I wonder what the IRS would say. It's basically money under the table. From this article it sounds like the guy was giving relatively small amounts. But if some agent was giving away cars and such, well, I think the tax man is interested.
While their Division I coaches have fatter pay checks than half the professors combined and the schools collect millions from their TV contracts. I recall Dr. Thomas Starzel at Pitt who pioneered liver transplants that have saved thousands of lives made about 30% of what the head football coach made. I'm a 'market oriented' kind of guy, but something is not right with that. College sports is out of whack because of the big TV revenues.
Even for a 'dumb jock' the hypocracy of big time NCAA sports stands out like a sore thumb. They know they are being used and abused.
There is no double standard. The two have nothug to do with each other. Most folks would have figured it out by now. It is relevant in that he felt it was important to have something to show for being in an acedemic institution for a number of years. He unfortunately is the unique exception.
I know that you really wanted to go but I understand. The economy is not what it should be and I hate airports myself.
Then again what is the difference if you go or not? You don't have any respect for the honest achievement of a fellow human being. Why bother loosing teeth over it airline mileage points not withstanding.
Ok weirdo, yes that’s it. Emmit Smith is going to assault me for talking down his college degree he got 15 years. Kook.
Oh, there most certainly is. But what there isn't on this thread is you answering even the most simple direct question.
I just finished reading a book about Jim Thorpe. The same problems existed when he was playing for Carlisle and Pop Warner was making more money that the rest of the faculty.
The athletes were also getting free stuff as long as they played. Jim Thorpe spent time in that money pit spanning over 9 years. He left after the 1913 season at the age of 25 without earning a degree or certificate. In his entire life he never had the sense of pride as an adult in accomplishing anything outside of sports. That had a lasting effect on him for the remainder of his short life. You just can't go back and blame the system alone. The athlete even back then had to take some responsibility for what happened to them. This has bee going on for a century or more.
He would do no such thing even if you told him that his degree is worthless. It is the fact that you think he would waste his time on you that I find interesting. However, not as interesting as the MLB Playoffs so have a nice flight.
Great article. Thanks for posting it
Hey, you, you're the nut that just wrote this a few posts ago.
Why bother loosing teeth over it airline mileage points not withstanding.
So are you mentally unstable, lying, or senile?
I am sure all of your many acquaintances appreciate your advice. But the MLB game on TBS is getting even more interesting.
No thanks, I grew out of watching semi-literate thugs and third worlders chase balls around in my mid 20s.
But the Game is really getting interesting.
It still doesn't make me want to watch semi-literate thugs and third worlders do those pursuits in my living room.
You shouldn't talk about your friends that way. First you tell them they are wasting there time going to college and now this?
No wonder they haven't talked to you since your mid twenties. What have you been up to all of this time? Not taking Linear Algebra I'll bet.
You done spending post after post never even broaching the topic at hand or grasping the most basic line of thought, or are you going to continue to be deliberately obtuse?
No it's not. Not even in the same galaxy. Ditto's point was about the athletes being used while millions were made around them. That wasn't your point at all. In fact you've yet to articulate a coherent point on this thread. Obviously even you don't know what you're trying to say from post to post or certainly can't keep it straight.
The institution is going to make money on them. If they weren't the scolarships would not be offered in the first place. As someone who has paid tuition for three kids in college, I can tell you that my kids appreciate the sacrifices other have made on their behalf to get them an education. But it is up to them to make something of their lives with the education. Amateur Atheltes are responsible for what happens to them. They are being used but they are using the system as well. If they don't use the system to get an education as well as an opportunity to play professional sports, they can't expect to get any sympathy.
I am trying to find something or someone you have not insulted on this thread between students, academics, Emmitt Smith, etc. while watching the best game of the post season so far on TBS.
Not to be. I think I will just watch the game instead.
Does anyone know if Mike Williams (the Lions draft pick) had any relationship with Gary? Kiper was all over William's tip in that draft, which made absolutely NO sense.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.