NCAA Motto: “A Rule is a Rule, No Matter How Stupid It Is” but rule breakers should still be punished

Jun 4, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; General view of the NCAA logo at Hayward Field in advance of the 2013 NCAA Track

No, this isn’t a story about my beloved Kentucky Wildcats but after reading and seeing, adnaseum, all the hullabaloo about Texas A&M’s QB Johnny Manziel allegedly banking $7,500 on autographs being sold by a broker then USC’s DE Jedeveon Clowney and Louisville’s own Teddy Bridgewater, I’m sick of seeing it.  But I can’t help but contribute to it just a bit.

Listen, I know the NCAA is little more than a criminal syndicate of the mafia persuasion with how they pimp out their best players to their own profit while giving the student-athlete nothing in return.  I don’t like it, nor do I think it’s fair but the reality is that it’s precisely that…the reality.

Schools have given these players a scholarship to come ply their trade in their sport, football in this case.  Not everyone is entitled to a scholarship so only those who they deem either the best at the present time or someone they can develop to be the best are typically awarded free board, food, books, etc.  Is it enough?  Not always but that’s not the point.  The point is that athletes sign a scholarship offer to play for a certain school, and thereby, are agreeing to abide by NCAA regulations.  One of those regulations prevents them from profiting off autographs.

Are they allowed to autograph memorabilia?  Absolutely!  Autograph to turn a profit?  Hahahahahaha!

This hypocrisy is tantamount to the relationship of a pimp and prostitute.  The NCAA views these athletes as their property, and as such, will not allow them to take money out of their own pocket by doing a little business on the side.  It’s sick and twisted.

It’s the NCAA.

It blows my mind.

I’m not hopeful the NCAA will change the rule but as it stands, Manziel possibly broke it and, if he did, he should be held accountable; just not by the NCAA.

How would the pimp hold the prostitute accountable?  Abuse.

How will the NCAA hold the student-athletes accountable?  Abuse of Power.

The rule is stupid but it’s still the rule and if any of the aforementioned athletes knowingly broke that rule, they should be punished and use that as a stepping stone to fight against the stupidity that is the NCAA and that rule.

Oh and for those interested, Kyle Tucker of the Courier-Journal has a brief rundown of how this impacts our Kentucky Wildcats:

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think student-athletes should get filthy rich doing this because, like all things, only the best players will profit.  It will create disparity among the many working just as hard to make it as those with more natural ability.

The NCAA just needs to either use some common sense (which they clearly do not possess), undergo a complete overhaul or dissolve itself.

Which will happen?  NONE!  They’re the farmer milking their prized cows for bank.

Somebody needs to stop the stupidity that is the NCAA.