Adrian Peterson Is Making Sense
By Adrian Peterson believes Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel and other college football players should be able to get paid.
As the NCAA continues to investigate if Manziel got paid to sign autographs and memorabilia for dealers, Peterson spoke out about the situation and if he believes amateur athletes should be allowed to profit off their own names.
“I think so,” Peterson told FOXSports.com in a telephone interview Thursday. “The universities are making a lot of money off of student athletes in general. So, yeah, he should be able to make money. I think so. They make millions off of these college athletes and they made millions off of the guys I played with as well. Yeah, he should be getting paid.”
I’m guessing more and more stars are going to start speaking out against the NCAA cartel, which can’t hurt.
And, again, it’s worth emphasizing how ridiculous the investigation is. Players aren’t being treated like students; they’re being subject to unique penalties for no remotely good reason. Manziel shouldn’t be prevented by being paid for a third party for signing autographs any more than a student should be prohibited from getting a part-time job or a music student prevented from getting paid to play a wedding.
In a related note about the Noble Purity of Amateurism, Manziel’s coach is pulling in a cool $2.5 million salary, prior to any endorsements, appearance fees, etc. which unlike the players risking their health to keep him in luxury he’s also free to accept. At least 25 coaches are higher paid. Charlie Weis is also pulling in $2.5 million from Kansas taxpayers to bring a decided schematic advantage (TM) to the 1-11 Jayhawks. But look, a booster took the starting running back to Carl’s Jr.! Do you think a full season is adequate punishment?