College Athletes

Athletes, under the age of 21 years, should be eligible to be drafted into a professional sports team. Playing in a professional sport is a career and setting a limit based on age to when someone can start his or her career is absurd. “Currently, to be eligible for the NBA Draft, a player has to be at least 19-years-old or one year removed from high school.” (Jessop.2014) In the one year removed from high school, the athlete can choose to attend college and declare if he or she would be eligible to be drafted after that year. There are many benefits for athletes to graduate from college before starting his or her career in a professional sport, but that decision should be left solely to them without age restrictions. “The vast majority of players feel a player should have the right to make a living. If he has the talent and wants to make money to help his family, he should have that right. It's just a matter of principle." (Broussard.2010) Pursuing and completing a college education is a huge reason why many people feel athletes under the age of 21 shouldn’t be eligible to play professional sports. Having a college degree can be extremely useful because of the amount of opportunities and options available to graduates. However, as much as attending college is encouraged in today’s society, college isn’t a route everyone chooses. “In 2011, the most recent year for which statistics are available, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 68.3 percent of students who graduated high school in 2011 were enrolled in college.” (Thompson) The choice to attend college or not attend college is a choice that comes across of the path of many. Why should athletes be held to a different standard of education? A fear that many have with younger athletes entering the professional sports arena is their risk for injury. “The NFL and NCAA claim that the NFL age requirement protects young athletes by shielding them from physical injury, requiring them to mature emotionally,