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SEC Releases Strong Statement Opposing Former Pro Athletes Returning To College Sports

By Staff Reporter•Aug 24, 20268:26 pm•

Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

On Monday evening, SEC presidents released a statement opposing professional players' return to college.

The SEC argues that players who leave college, sign professional contracts, and compete professionally should not be allowed to return to college athletics, saying it creates competitive-equity issues and takes roster opportunities away from high school recruits and current college players.

quote:
After a Monday evening videoconference of the presidents and chancellors of the Southeastern Conference, the conference is issuing the following statement:

“College athletes, not former professional athletes, have been at the heart of the Southeastern Conference. Individuals who choose to leave college athletics, sign professional playing contracts, and compete professionally should not then be permitted to return to college competition.

“Allowing that to occur will blur the line between college and professional sports, create significant competitive equity concerns, and reduce opportunities for high school and current college athletes.

“College sports are for college athletes. The current confusion around national eligibility standards emphasizes the need to advance the Protect College Sports Act.”

The timing is especially notable given the recent situations involving former Ole Miss players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, along with the broader eligibility uncertainty created by recent court rulings.

Previously scheduled SEC league meetings will begin tomorrow in Birmingham.

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PMacsBackup•48 min

Was it not the "Protect College Sports Act" that enabled the 5th year of eligibility?

Did everyone just assume that because it was enacted late in the college football calendar that the reaction by class of '22 players wouldn't challenge for one more year? Or, was the assumption since ot was post-NFL draft that it was a moot point? "Unprecedented" is the new norm. You can't fortify your argument with "this is why the Protect College Sports Act” is necessary out one side of your mouth and whine like a b#$%* out the other when your assumptions are challenged. Weak.

Deftoner•2 hours

Blur the line? Lol this is squarely on the NCAA for showing complete lack of vision when arbitrarily denying a 5th year for class of 22. If they would’ve made this decision in a more timely manner this wouldn’t be an issue because these kids would have had a transfer option rather than go pro.

sabbertooth•2 hours

From Webster’s dictionary:
2
a
: participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs.

Someone needs to send Greg a dictionary.

NASA_ISS_Tiger•3 hours

The rules, folks, are a'changing. Gotta change with the times. Gotta evolve.

Bayou•4 hours

BUT...it's ok to pay college kids! OK, Greg, you freakin hypocrite

Fightin Okra•4 hours

NIL, state judges allowing players to play in their state after being ruled ineligible (OM QB for example), transfer portal. These all contributed to the crumbling of college athletics

Barbellthor•5 hours

And what the frick is he gonna do about it?

K Baw•12 hours

Here is another result of kicking the can down the road. When you drag azz, you may get run over.

deathvalleytiger10•12 hours

What line is he referring to? They are just paid in different ways but it’s still income.

triumphtiger800•13 hours

“and compete professionally”. The two that will come to LSU if cleared were both rookies and waived in the preseason. I get his statement on face value but don’t think these players fall in that category. And to echo many of the comments already, the line between college and professional sports has already been blurred.

Davy•13 hours

Tiger bait, tiger bait

mrbayoublu•13 hours

If Sankey the donkey had been in charge instead of Roy Kramer, the SEC would never had an SEC football conference championship. No guts no glory. Sankey is a gloried, high paid lackey.

arealtiger67•13 hours

"Amateur" is absolutely the most vague term in the modern vernacular. It basically means someone who performs a task/job for pleasure rather than money. If you apply that definition, it will be a challenge to find any amateur that isn't under the age of what? 15 or 16? Take a 4 star athlete who is a junior in high school...playing just for the love of the game? Maybe. Motivated by a big payday? Probably! How far are we from a court or legislature determining that a high school varsity athlete is an employee of the school? Any coach/administrator of an institution bellyaching about amateurism or student athletics is just hating themselves for falling behind the curve! GEAUX TIGAHS! Most won't read this. Also part of the problem I think.

TXTiger81•13 hours

“Create significant competitive equity concerns, and reduce opportunities for high school and current college athletes”

So playing staying for their 5th, 6th or even 7th year doesn’t reduce opportunities high school and current college athletes? Interesting take.

LesnarF5•13 hours

Hey everyone is getting paid Skanky.If he wants to be pissed off at anyone be pissed off at the NCAA.

Vogtle•13 hours

It’s an anomaly. Won’t happen again unless the incompetents “running” the NCAA enact another poorly designed rule change. Don’t hate the playa…..

kbartj•14 hours

How can an objective person say that college and the pros are that much different now? I know of a college golfer that is coming back for goodness sake!!! It's not just football or basketball.

NotaStarGazer•14 hours

Lane Kiffin said he was also AGAINST players who had left college behind to go to the pros to be able to return to college. HOWEVER, he also gave his rational for this particular situation. The NCAA came out with their 5 for 5 policy AFTER the current players who could play one more year made their decisions to leave college. I agree with Kiffin's outlook...those players in this transition year should be given special treatment. As usual, the NCAA screwed players with an ill-timed change in policy.

Timeoday•14 hours

Well, it is my understanding the player did not know he had a 5th year so he went pro. I do believe any player who is uncertain of his status must do the right thing as a player. The leagues need to get rid of the uncertainties regarding eligibility going forward.

Tridentds•14 hours

Start your own league with rules you want and enforce them. The NCAA isn’t going to do shite but give lip service.

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