I just don't understand everyone's hurry for these players to leave University when they don't have to. Seems like the majority of Lair posters are in favor of guys rolling the dice and going after free agent contracts & practice squad positions when they have not fully proven themselves to NFL scouts, yet still have college eligibility remaining.
Here's my case for those players to stay.
Once they leave the dorms, our players receive a generous 4-figure monthly rent stipend. And we are Pittsburgh, rents are cheap.
The meal plans and training tables blow away anything most of us get at home. Football players eat like kings, and they take a lot of stuff home.
Free public transportation is also part of the deal.
Between Pell Grants and the new Stipends, many of these kids are pulling down close to 15k in pocket money, and are able to get college loans if they want more.
The new Endorsements rules kick in next month, they can then sell themselves to local businesses. In a good size city like Pittsburgh, there should be quite a few endorsements available.
University of Pittsburgh football players have comprehensive UPMC medical coverage. They are treated to the best the system has to offer.
The economy is a shambles, a gazillion people are out of work. That's not likely to change much in the near future, other than getting even worse. This is exactly the time in the economic cycles when you want to be in school.
I could go on and on but I'm too lazy to be a good salesman. Unless they're projected to go in the top 4 rounds, I don't think any players should be leaving school right now. And there's definitely resources available for a guy like Johnson who has kids to feed as well - as long as he's willing to sacrifice just a little bit.
Here's my case for those players to stay.
Once they leave the dorms, our players receive a generous 4-figure monthly rent stipend. And we are Pittsburgh, rents are cheap.
The meal plans and training tables blow away anything most of us get at home. Football players eat like kings, and they take a lot of stuff home.
Free public transportation is also part of the deal.
Between Pell Grants and the new Stipends, many of these kids are pulling down close to 15k in pocket money, and are able to get college loans if they want more.
The new Endorsements rules kick in next month, they can then sell themselves to local businesses. In a good size city like Pittsburgh, there should be quite a few endorsements available.
University of Pittsburgh football players have comprehensive UPMC medical coverage. They are treated to the best the system has to offer.
The economy is a shambles, a gazillion people are out of work. That's not likely to change much in the near future, other than getting even worse. This is exactly the time in the economic cycles when you want to be in school.
I could go on and on but I'm too lazy to be a good salesman. Unless they're projected to go in the top 4 rounds, I don't think any players should be leaving school right now. And there's definitely resources available for a guy like Johnson who has kids to feed as well - as long as he's willing to sacrifice just a little bit.
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