Dread-Head's Blog

Several years ago I applied for a job as a youth probation officer with Harris county.  I saw something in the job announcement which I found puzzling. The announcement said that anyone who had played college football or any college team sport was "preferred".

        I asked someone why they preferred college athletes to anyone else and was told "Oh because having played college sports is an indication that the person knows how to work as part of an organization, can put the needs of the group before his own and that he can work with a diverse group of people." My response?

        "Really? And serving in the U.S. Armed forces DOESN'T?"  Durring some Sunday Morning political show I saw some guy essentially say that anyone who's played college footbal can "write his own ticket." in today's job market. Once on a sports call in show with KTSU a former college football player tried to argue with me that his playing college football was MORE of a contribution to society than my serving in the Marines and loading bombs and missles onto airplanes because he could have sustained a spinal cord injury while playing...and because people were willing to PAY to watch him play. Wow. It's disturbing to know that no one is teaching college football players that "bombs go BOOM."

       Have we REALLy regressed to the point where playing college football gets a young man MORE respect than having served his country? If so then I  can HONSESTLY say I feel sorry for us as a country. Athleticism is great and to be admried but if we're sending the message to returning vets that serving ones country pales in comparison to serving college ball then we are TRULY in a sad state.