Rolle Call

Although this site is called “Minnesota sports world,” sometimes we like to branch out and talk about other non-Minnesota related topics too. As this site gains more traction, we hope to be able to address a wider and wider span of topics. We already had one post earlier this week about the Vikings draft, and players drafted in early rounds who are guaranteed millions. Although this is interesting, the true drama in the NFL draft lies within the later rounds where players are fighting it out for paychecks and trying to earn a job in a league which has been known to break hearts.
Even in the later rounds, there are certain players who stand out for one reason or another. One of these players is former Florida State Safety Myron Rolle. Rolle was a 5 star recruit coming out of high school, seemed to be a kid with a good head on his shoulders, and produced at an exceptionally high level during his freshman, sophomore, and junior years as a Seminole even earning third team all-America honors. His measureables at the NFL combine were excellent for a safety, as he seemed to have a rare combination of size and speed. So why do you suppose it was that Myron Rolle fell all the way to the sixth round of the NFL draft despite the fact that his pedigree seemed to warrant an earlier selection?
Rolle is a Rhodes Scholar.
Rolle is a Rhodes Scholar, and didn’t play football for a year in order to pursue his education in this once in a lifetime opportunity at Oxford University in England. To the misdirected scouts of the NFL, this implies that he isn’t dedicated enough to have a successful career in the league. Apparently if you’re good at anything other than playing football, the NFL doesn’t want you. Never mind all the positive press that Rolle would bring, the fact of the matter is that as a football player he can undoubtedly contribute to your favorite team.
To the best of my knowledge, no other athlete has ever excelled on the field and in the classroom quite to the extent that Myron Rolle has. So for this reason, he should be punished? What kind of a precedent, as well as a vicious double standard is being set by this? The NFL claims that giving back to the community is important to them, as is setting a positive role model for young people. No pun intended, who could set a better role model than a Rhodes Scholar turned NFL defensive back? Fortunately, whether or not his football career is a success we know that Myron Rolle will always have plenty of opportunities in life. Plenty of other fields would love to have a young, talented person like Myron.
DHP