Let them eat cake
April 20With this Saturday's NFL draft quickly approaching, I am saddened to learn that USC's Mike Williams and Ohio State's Maurice Clarett are not allowed to enter. Just let them eat the cake, come on. Next year, NFL fans could have been treated to Williams, one of the best overall players in the draft, and Clarett, the player with the most interesting story and a tremendous amount of upside. Now, the two players are left out of two of the biggest businesses in America, the NFL and the NCAA. Both players seem to be optimistic about the prospect of being drafted during a supplemental draft, similar to the one last year that landed Houston running back Tony Hollings for a third round pick this year. However, it is just not the same. Both of these players have earned the right to hear his name called by the NFL commissioner alongside, and in comparison with, their peers. True, the NFL is not a god-given right, you have to earn entry. However, these two players have earned the right to be given a fair shot to make an NFL roster. What is even more tragic is that these athletes believed they were eligible for the draft because a court already said they were. But the NFL could not let one court's word slide, it had to appeal and re-ruin Williams and Clarett. What is the big deal about upholding its rule that athletes must be three years removed from high school anyway? It seems as though the decision to draft these players should be up to talent scouts, coaches, and general managers, rather than the league. Now the NCAA seems poised to lock the athletes out. Collegiate athletics are as much of a business as professional athletics. Students are supposed to make mistakes and learn how to improve themselves in college, but once you take money, your cushion for error goes right out the window. As it stands right now, both Williams and Clarett are considered professionals although neither has caught a pass from a professional quarterback. Tell me there isn't something wrong with that. The argument is made that even if the two athletes give back all of the money they have earned so far, given they can, then the NCAA would review their instatements, not ruling out the possibility of suspension. So as it stands now, both players seem poised to be screwed by two institutions. The NFL says they are too young, and they say the NFL is violating anti-trust laws. The NCAA says they are now pro and can't compete on the amateur level until a review takes place. Yet, they dominated their respected competition while playing on that level and brought college sports much notoriety in the process. Too often, athletes use the system to further their careers, however, these two have been the opposite, and for the most part the system has used them. Clarett was suspended for all of last season. After being the focal point of television and other media coverage for his entire freshman year for his record-breaking performance, he was put out with yesterday's garbage. No doubt he made money for the NCAA. The college jerseys Ohio State and the NCAA sold did not have his name, but certainly had his number and consumers bought it for that reason. Even NFL scouts seemed to be drooling at a chance to draft Clarett and to see if he truly has star potential. The NCAA took money out of Clarett's pocket and now the NFL will not let sponsors or its teams put it back in. While he is not entitled to any money, it surely seems like he has worked hard enough to earn it, just like any of his football colleagues. For Williams, it did not even seem like he was even going to challenge the NFL's rule, but decided to take a chance after the court initially held Clarett's challenge. It's a shame he will likely not get a full college season to win the Heisman. There is no doubt in my mind that Williams would have been a finalist for the award, if not the winner, if given a proper chance. Unlike Clarett, Williams does not even have a scratch on his record. He, of all people, seems to be the real victim. He could be a Pro Bowl wide receiver next season in the NFL, or a repeat All-American in college. It is time for either the NFL or NCAA to take a stand and protect its athletes. The two athletes have proved themselves at the NCAA level and done a lot for the business. If it comes down to it, the NCAA should accept both with open arms. However, the NFL should drop its ancient rules and just let the two prove their worth in the pros.
