Most of us go professional in something other than sports, and for an athlete in the SWAC that is almost always the case. In the top two sports at Prairie View A&M University, basketball and football, going professional in these sports hasn’t been an option since 1980. The Dallas Cowboys drafted a defensive end by the name of Matthew Teague, in the 1oth round. Many of use weren’t even born yet, and the last basketball player to be drafted from Prairie View A&M was Marvin Jackson in 1977. Jackson was the 7th pick in the 5th round by the Indiana Pacers. Since 1957, there have been a total of four NBA draft picks to come out of Prairie View A&M. Only one of those picks has been in the top two rounds of the draft.
Many times kids come to school and feel like they can just come to Prairie View or any university for that matter and shine their way to the league. Who is there to make you understand all the things that are necessary to achieve those goals you dreamt of when you where a child?
There are two sides to this game, entertainment and business. You as the athlete are the entertainment, and when the people in charge feel that you can’t perform any longer they will get rid of you. What I’m saying is that why get paid by the owner when you could be the owner. Don’t restrict yourself and learn the business side of the game.
When do you think its time to stop hoping that you will go pro and realizing that life is bigger than any sport? The sport that you play has given you an opportunity to gain your education and to obtain knowledge, and that is something no one can take away from you. What legacy do you want to leave behind?