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Cardale Jones Is Right Today: Classes Are Not Pointless

By Sixto Ortiz

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Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones recently retracted his 2012 tweet claiming that “classes are pointless” for those who play football. Maybe Jones is growing up and realizing the importance of an education.

Back in October of 2012, Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones tweeted his sentiments about attending classes: in his tweet, Jones wrote the main reason for his attendance at Ohio State is playing football, so classes are pointless.

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Roughly two years later, Jones apologized for his controversial tweet, even stating he was “stupid” for saying it. Perhaps Jones truly saw the light, or perhaps, as a consequence of his new fame, was gently “compelled” by the Buckeyes coaching staff to retract his 2012 tweet and act more like a team leader who toes the party line. Whatever the reasons, Jones appears to be fully onboard with classes and claims to value his education.

Now, some believe that Jones should not have retracted his earlier sentiments about the uselessness of classes. The reasoning is that these athletes are attending these universities for one reason and one reason only: playing football. Forcing them to do anything but focus solely on football is, well, pointless.

In fact, universities should be doubling down on efforts to prepare college athletes academically, not reducing them. Very few athletes playing collegiate football make it to the next level. According to NCAA statistics, only 1.6% of collegiate football players will play on Sundays (the stats show only 1.2% go on to the NBA). So, if a college football player is not drafted and fails to get a degree, he walks away with nothing and squander a chance to get a degree. It’s a lose-lose scenario.

Athletes today, even in high school and college, are faster and stronger than ever before. The punishment their bodies sustain on the field means the chance for a devastating injury is always around the corner.

Marcus Lattimore, who suffered a catastrophic knee injury in a game against Tennessee is one sad example. After attempting a pro career with the San Francisco 49ers, Lattimore retired from the NFL without ever playing a pro down. If Lattimore was diligent and obtained his degree, he has a chance to have a career outside of playing football.

One misstep on the football field can turn a degree from an after-thought into a lifesaver.

Even when everything goes according to plan and an athlete makes it to the NFL and enjoys a successful pro career, there are land mines. The news are filled with reports of athletes who squandered riches and have nothing to show for it.

Universities could help alleviate this problem: if it’s clear that an athlete is going to go pro and most likely secure a good contract, his college curriculum could be tailored so that he is taught wealth management skills such as choosing the right advisors, investment selection, etc. These types of classes would most certainly not be “pointless” for athletes headed to the NFL.

Too many athletes are tossed aside by the college sports machine when they are no longer generating revenues. And unfortunately, too many athletes delude themselves into thinking a pro career is a foregone conclusion and fail to plan for a future without a fat NFL contract.

Even the lucky ones who go on to profitable NFL careers need guidance on how to hold on to their large but short-lived income streams in the pros. And that guidance should start in college.

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