Terrelle Pryor and Greed

Greed is a monster ; an all-consuming menace that eats and eats and eats. Greed is a bottomless pit with no allergies whatsoever. It will literally eat anything.  Greed will eat your career, education, marriage, friendships - even the very essence of your character.  Greed can sometimes be confused with need.  An eight ounce steak with mashed potatoes and a side of asparagus will satisfy my need for dinner.  However, eating five steaks for dinner is greedy.  I need a car to get to work everyday. I don't need eight.  That's greedy.  Greed has seemingly consumed many of our young people as well.  Whatever we give them is not enough.  It can't be a cell phone.  It has to be a smartphone - an iPhone - specifically the iPhone 4.  New shoes aren't good enough either.  They have to be the newest pair of Jordans.  You can't wear any of the clothes you buy your kids to the office, yet their clothes cost twice as much as yours. 

The monster has also spilled over into sports.  Now a scholarship isn't good enough anymore.  Pay me money directly or give me several new cars and I'll think about allowing you to pay for my education.  This Ohio State and Terrelle Pryor situation is oozing greed.  Look, I'm not naive.  I know revenue-generating sports make tons of money and some people believe student-athletes should get more than a $40,000/yr. education out of the deal.  Well, that's a discussion for another time and place.  My only point regarding payment is that even if you paid some sort of stipend, some guys would still go above and beyond that.  You can't satisfy greed.

We value 4.4 more than 4.0.  A kid who runs a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash has greater value than the kid who earns a 4.0 in the classroom.  Don't fool yourself.  The kids know it, too.  That's why the scholarship isn't enough for them anymore.  Reportedly, Pryor received eight different cars during his three years at Ohio State.  I promise you the class valedictorian from Ohio State didn't receive one - not unless his or her parents bought it.  According to published reports, Pryor's license was suspended in February.  Why is that important?  Well, he drove a new car with temporary plates to a players-only meeting on Monday - the same day coach Jim Tressel resigned amid the current scandal involving cars, cash, and tattoos.  For more on the particulars of the Ohio State story, have a look at the ESPN report below (email subscribers click here).  The last time I checked, the dealer makes a copy of your license before handing over the keys to any vehicle.

What's the answer?  Well, I'm glad you asked.  It starts with us as parents and coaches.  While greed is a monster.  Greed can't feed itself.  Greed requires an enabler.  Your kid can't buy the iPhone 4.  He doesn't have a job or credit.  You do.  Pryor and other athletes can't come up with new cars at will.  Someone has to give them the keys.  We have to show our kids that earning what you get is the way.  Sports can provide an avenue for kids to earn a quality education.  Education should not be used as a means to play sports.  One more thing relative to cars and education - a car begins to lose its value the second you drive it off the lot.  An education gains in value every day beyond graduation.  Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol    



This video is also available at SportsmanshipTV