Weeden: How about a little somethin' for the effort
Published: 7/25/2011 3:17 PM
Last Modified: 7/25/2011 3:17 PM
DALLAS -- Theory: If players received something more than the money their scholarship allots them, if they received a genuine income, they might not be so susceptible to the corruption that's plaguing college football right now.
Maybe.
Or maybe it's simply past time to provide something for the athletes beyond room and board, a seat at the training table and access to a college education.
Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden is 27 years old, married and as mature as they come. That makes what he has to say pretty telling, I would think.
Here's what he said Monday afternoon at Big 12 media days:
"I'm biased because I'm an athlete, but I think you should be compensated enough to where you can afford to go see a movie or go have dinner with your girlfriend, or go buy a pair of shoes every once in a while.
"We work so hard pretty much 11 months out of the year. We put our blood, sweat and tears into it. And ultimately we generate a lot of revenue for our university. I don't think it's out of the reason to compensate us just a little bit.
"I'm not saying a bunch of money. I don't have a number for you. But to be fairly compensated? Absolutely. I don't see a problem with it, personally. That's just my opinion...
"I was fortunate. I got a nice signing bonus (from baseball) and I still have a good chunk of that left. I'm able to live off that pretty comfortably. But I don't have an income. I've been going on five years with no income. We're relying on one, basically, and it's my wife's.
"Guys don't have an income at all. If their parents aren't able to support them, it can be a challenge."
-- Guerin Emig
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
