Okay, let’s dive into this. So, Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons—yeah, that guy—he’s all about voicing his opinions. And, oh boy, he has some fiery thoughts about Tennessee’s quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, skipping practice because of a disagreement over his NIL deal. Drama, right?
“College football a joke now!” Parsons blurted out on Twitter or wherever. “Y’all might as well just make college into a semi-pro league! Actually hold players accountable to the contracts they sign!” Like, can you imagine the fire in his eyes when he typed this? I can almost hear him banging the keys.
And, of course, someone had to remind him that college ball has always been a bit like a semi-pro gig. But Parsons? Nope, he’s standing his ground. “Nah college was never about money!” he argued. “College is bout building character! I am the man I am today because of the brotherhood and the amazing coaches I’ve had during my time at Penn State!” Touching, isn’t it? Almost like a Hallmark card, but hey, I get it. He’s passionate.
But, let’s be real. Was college football never about money? For the players, maybe not upfront, but for the schools? Oh man, they’ve been swimming in cash for ages. The whole system was crafted, like some evil masterpiece, to block players from earning what they deserve for their talents and sweat. And it wasn’t just shady—it was downright illegal, as the courts eventually pointed out.
Universities, with the NCAA’s blessing, peddled this whole “amateurism” gig, keeping salaries low, like, way under what they should’ve been, and selling it under the guise of, “Hey, here’s your education, kid!” So now, yeah, it’s chaos city in college football. And Iamaleava’s situation? Just another chaotic day in the office.
Nico doesn’t technically have a contract with Tennessee. He’s kinda like a free agent. If he doesn’t suit up for them, the NIL checks won’t come his way. Makes sense, right? Meanwhile, Parsons ought to brace for impact when someone throws his own words back at him if he doesn’t lock in a new deal before training camp. “Actually hold players accountable to the contracts they sign!” Well, alright then, let’s keep them accountable, shall we? But truth be told, if he does hold out, I’m all for it—kinda think he should’ve done so last year, honestly.
And Parsons, if you’re out there claiming college football isn’t a cash cow, there’s a simple test. You could just not cash the hefty check from that humongous antitrust settlement which looks out for college athletes from 2016 to 2024. Since you played for Penn State from 2018 to 2020, it seems kinda relevant, no?
Anyway, everyone’s got their opinions, sure. Micah can shout his from the rooftops if he wants. But here’s the kicker from someone who’s watched the parade for 25 years: Say something out loud (or online), and it’s open for all sorts of critique. Anything you say, folks will definitely scrutinize it. Like, aggressively.
