Is Jameis Winston Being Pimped by The NCAA and FSU?
- Details
- Category: Lifestyle/People
- Published: Saturday, 03 May 2014 00:19
- Written by Darryl Reaves
Darryl Reaves
Jameis Winston should not be serving community hours; the college community should be serving him. Winston and his teammates should have been served jumbo stone crab claws, lobster tails, prawns and fines cuts of filet mignons from their Hilton suites or downtown condos.
For all the millions of dollars he and his teammates have made for the FSU franchise, a nice place to live and plenty of food would be the least they could do for these young men.
No, that is not the case in college sports. These poor athletes have to fetch food late at night. In this case, Winston knew he didn't have the money to buy the crab claws. But his stomach said, "you're the man, go get something to eat, they owe you." And they do.
Winston is just the latest noted college athlete to make headlines concerning food issues. University of Connecticut basketball player Shabazz Napier says there are nights he can't afford food. It was noted that UConn does not have a cafeteria devoted specifically to student-athletes. They have access to the same cafeterias, which are available to all our students.
These athletes spend 50 to 60 hours per week on their athletic duties during training camp prior to the
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start of the season and an additional 40 to 50 hours per week during the season. This is more hours than full-time employees. And it is also many more hours than the student athletes spend at their studies.
The Jameis Winston facts: Florida State University quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston was spotted taking seafood without paying from a Publix grocery store near the FSU campus. Winston, only the second freshman to win college football's most coveted award, ordered about $32 worth of crab legs and crawfish, and walked out of the store.
A Publix employee noticed Winston left without paying but waited to notify a deputy, thinking Winston might have gone outside to get a cart. To get a cart? Who believes that ferry tale?
Sidebar: I wonder if this would have happened to Tim Tebow in Gainesville.
Winston, a two-sport athlete, was suspended from FSU's baseball team. His football coach, Jimbo Fisher, said, "I fully support the baseball Coach's decision and will also make sure that Jameis meets all obligations, which I know he will."
Obligation? What about the obligation, these coaches have to these young men that make them millions and afford them and their families wonderful lifestyles. Their children don't go hungry.
Authorities added that Winston most likely will have to pay Publix the $32 for the crab legs and crawfish.
So let's get real, college athletes make their respective college franchises millions of dollars each and every year. In fact, the whole community surrounding these sports-centered colleges makes tons of money, including this Publix. And this guy has to pay this Publix $32. That particular Publix makes hundreds-of-thousands of dollars based on shoppers preparing for and celebrating football games that Winston and his teammates make worthwhile. All the ribs, wings, chips, beer and soda sold. This Publix owes him and I not talking about a mere $32.
So you see, Donald Sterling isn't the only pimping slave master in the sports world. He is a pion compared to what the NCAA has done for years. These coaches sell these young men on the chance of an education and the possibility of fame in professional sports. Yet only a handful ever makes it to the pros; and less that forty percent obtain a college degree. It is usually, four years of grind on the field, a little time in class – usually underwater basket weaving – and then the old "it was nice knowing you."
For years, the NCAA has sold the lie that it would be unethical to pay these athletes. But it is not unethical to pay coaches millions. It is not unethical for these colleges to collectively make billions. And, let's not speak about the bookies who make bank on the backs of these young men.
Jameis Winston and all the young men and women who make their colleges money ought to be compensated. Then, these young athletes will not be put in the position that they have to forget to pay for food, even when they fully know they don't have the money.
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