mysilentfury

I have recently been a part of several debates concerning which is better…college sports or pro sports.  To me this is really an easy answer, but to my surprise the majority of people I talk to disagree with me.  I am on the side (that seems to be the minority) that feels that pro sports are much better than college sports.  Here’s my argument.

Are college sports competitive, yes.  Are they as competitive as pro sports, no.  Reggie Bush was the man in college.  I mean, THE man.  This guy was unstoppable.  From all the yards rushing, receiving, and even pushing Matt Leinhart into the end zone illegally to steal a win, he was the most dominant offensive player in many years.  However, he was drafted by the Saints and what happened?  He fell off.  He is still a “good” player, but that’s as far as it goes.

What happens is these players (Vince Young, Matt Leinhart, Reggie Bush, Ryan Leaf, etc.) dominate the college level.  Once they go pro they are on a more even playing field, they are up against the best competition available.  It is too easy to fall in love with a player in college as the next big thing only to realize he is a mediocre player (compared to pros) and does not succeed at the next level.  Typically, we believe that a good team means good players.  Again, I reference the USC team of a few years ago.  Reggie Bush and Matt Leinhart were the golden boys.  They were the face of college football.  The NFL attempted to use their momentum to build new marketable stars.  That lasted one year.  After that, they were exposed as nothing more than good players, not superstars.

Where do the real superstars come from?  Small schools (usually).  Last years draft class had two quarterbacks come into the league and start their first year…Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco.  That’s right, Matt Ryan from Boston College and Joe Flacco from Delaware.  Neither school is dominant at the college level.  However, these two players were properly coached in a “pro” system and made the transition very well.  Usually, the rule of thumb is that if a player is on a great team, and seems better than possible, he’s no go in the pros.

This brings me to why college can’t even compare to pro…match ups!  I want to see the best athletes in the world compete at the highest level.  So clearly I am more inclined to watch the pro scene.  Now, with that being said, I do also watch college sports and I am a huge Virginia Tech fan.  However, if I have a choice between watching Virginia Tech or the Redskins, my choice is done before having to think.  I urge people to enjoy college sports, appreciate them, respect them, and route for them.  Just don’t get caught up thinking that college is better than pro.  The 0-16 Detroit Lions are better than the Florida Gators and LSU Tigers on everyday ending in “Y”.  Period.  People need to realize that, yes, pro athletes come from the college level, but they are not truly tested against the best until the time when they step into one of the 32 pro stadiums.

-This article is referring to the current state of sports.  Please do not feel inclined to give me a list of all the players that were phenomenal in college and are still great in the pros.  I know who they are.  I am strictly speaking of the past few years.