Is Derrek Rose Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?

Recently reports came out that current NBA Rookie Of The Year and former Memphis star Derrek Rose had someone else take his SAT for him so he could academically qualify to go to school at Memphis. Another report came out today that another former Memphis basketball player Robert Dozier also had someone else take his SAT so he could play college ball. You know what I have to say to that? WHO CARES!

Have you ever had an athlete in one of your classes? Generally speaking, they don't care. It would normally at this time that I would make some claim for the sake of "good journalism" or being "politically correct" or something but no one reads this blog... and what I'm saying is true. I was in a Speech class last semester with a fairly talented and well known WR on the football speech. We had to write a handful of five minute speeches and create a corresponding PowerPoint presentation. This kid made up his speeches on the spot and obviously did his PowerPoints a few hours before he had to deliver his speech. He also did not have a grasp on the English language. He has six siblings. He was raised by a single mother. Now there are obviously many exception to cases like this; however, my description IS the majority.

Football and basketball players, especially those on scholarships or who are good, just don't care about their education. I can guarantee you that Derrek Rose did not care about his education. Derrek was only going to college for one year anyway and only went to college because the NBA told him he had to. Matt Leinart, in order to eligible to play his senior year at USC, only took one class- ballroom dancing with his girlfriend.

Every kid who has the chance to go to college or any institution of higher learning should take advantage of that. Even if you major in a "bullshit" major like art, psychology, communication, or political science, you are still taking courses to educate yourself. On average, people with a bachelor's degree make 2 million more in their lifetime than people who do not. But if any kid chooses not to take advantage of their opportunity while in college, that's their own fault. They are given a great chance, but that's all it is, a chance. No one is forcing these kids really to go to class or educate themselves. If they don't care about their classes, it is nobody's business to judge.

And these kids do not go to college to learn anyway. Sure they have the opportunity to do so, but they don't care about that. They just want to play sports. Right now Memphis is coming under fire because of the educational eligibility of their basketball athletes. But what did John Calipari's kids want to do or care about: basketball. All they wanted to do was win a championship, not learn about stupid things like square roots or the basics of the English language.

I don't think people should get so "worked up" about instances like the ones Memphis is going through. Now, don't get me wrong, I think every single kid should be encouraged to complete their education, but if they don't, don't worry about it.