Thursday, January 17, 2008

Maybe We'll Have to Wait a Year

Two days after announcing he would forgo his senior season at Ole Miss, Michael Oher changed his mind stating that there was some unfinished business back in Oxford. You could tell that it bothered him that he was never able to help the Rebels win a bowl game despite all the personal achievements.

In the present day, to see a marquee athlete leave guaranteed millions on the table just to play another year at the collegiate level is extremely satisfying. Especially in a sport like football, where you never know how far away you are from that career ending injury.

I honestly believe that there is more than just winning a bowl game driving Oher back to school. Graduating college is something he would have never thought possible 8 years ago when he was living on the streets in Memphis. In May of next year, he will be the first in his direct bloodline to receive a college degree, just like he was the first to get his high school diploma. I also believe it would mean something to him to leave a little bit of history at Ole Miss. His adoptive father was a stud point guard for the rebels during the early 1980s and was recently named to the All-Century SEC team.

So in the end I think it is a win, win for everybody. The best news is that the Patriots will likely have a top pick in the 2009 draft after Matt Cassel leads them to a 3-15 record.

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