DEVELOPMENT: Big Ten Set To Pass Rule Prohibiting Players From Returning to School After Playing in NFL – SEC, ACC, Big 12 Expected to Meet Over Similar Rule

See, SEC? It's not that hard. NFL players are like drugs. Just say no to them. They might be awesome in the moment, but overall, they're no good. I'm sure it will be harder for some teams than others. A school like LSU might be hopelessly addicted beyond repair. But as one of the craziest people I've ever known once said, "Some things are bigger than sports."

I'm guilty of this myself. I'm pretty sure I said something similar in a blog I wrote just this morning about the SEC releasing a nothing statement on this very matter... 

If something is technically legal (i.e. allowing former NFL players to play for your college football team), we're all very quick to concede, "Well, I don't like it. But what is Lane Kiffin supposed to do? Not sign a player to his team who can help them win? It's a competitive business. Either get on board, or get left behind."

On the other hand… I suppose a school, or in this case a conference, could refuse to do something even if it would help them win. If you don't think something is right, you could always NOT contribute to the problem. Even if it means being at a slight competitive disadvantage. That is, in fact, an option we have. We do still have free will. We don't HAVE to exhaust every possibly legal recruiting channel, and find judges who will rule in our favor because LSU hasn't won a National Championship in a whopping 7 years. Nobody is forcing coaches to recruit those players. Nobody has a gun to their heads. Last I checked, they still have the right to choose their own rosters. 

Well… in Lane Kiffin's case, somebody really might have a gun to his head. Louisiana is a crazy place. They are governed by Yosemite Sam after all. 

However, now that the Big Ten is "set" to put their foot down, it sounds like the SEC may follow suit. According to College Football Insider Pete Nakos, SEC conference presidents are meeting today to talk over a similar rule. Same with the ACC. Same with the Big 12.

Advertisement

Wouldn't that be something? If the power conferences of college football came together and agreed to not do something that would help them win games. I never thought we'd see the day. 

Now watch Notre Dame swoop in a sign an entire roster full of ex-NFL pre-season guys. Or maybe the MAC sees this as an opportunity for a come up. Maybe that's a compromise we can all agree on. A player can go back to college if he doesn't make an NFL roster his rookie season, but he HAS to play in the Mid-American Conference. And he can only make as much money as a MAC team is willing to pay him. Just kidding. Kind of. 

Now what happens if these conferences pass their "no NFL players allowed" rule, but their schools just find another judge to tell them, "Nuh uh. They're doing it anyways"…

I have no idea. Apparently no rules are real if you have a judge in your back pocket. That seems to be the way of college sports nowadays. Just like everything else, I guess we have no choice but to fly by the seat of our pants and cross that bridge when we get there. 

P.S. The real moral of this story for college football players is to not leave for the fucking NFL until you’re fully out of eligibility, or are GUARANTEED to be a 1st or 2nd round pick. Anything beyond that isn’t worth the risk. Even 10% of 3rd round picks don’t make a roster. 

It’s just like the real world. You wouldn’t leave a job at a place you’re desperately wanted, and are making very good money, because you have an outside chance at making more. Especially when that potentially better job will still be there next year. The NFL isn’t going anywhere. Make all the money you possibly can at the college level, then find out if you’re NFL material.