Since the 20th century, college football has been an American pastime. The traditions, rivalries, uniform designs, and the hall of fame coaches and players have impacted our culture for well over a century.
If there is one, singular trait that makes college football so special, the aspect that separates it from professional sports is that it’s an amateur sport- nothing more, nothing less.
One could argue that going to a game would be the equivalent of going to watch gladiators in ancient Rome, only today, any blood that is spilled is minimal and not life-threatening.
So, what is it about this sport that lures an athlete to compete?
Is it the competition? Is it the size of the stadium? Is it the colors on the jersey? Or is it for the love of the game?
I ask these questions because in the year 2025, college football is now at a crossroads.
Since its inception, college football has never compensated players for playing. After all, they’re student-athletes-they have volunteered to participate in playing intercollegiate sports.
However, as of 2021, college athletes can now be paid for their Name, Image, and Likeness. What exactly does that mean?
Here is the definition from the NCAA’s site– Student-athletes have the opportunity to receive compensation from third parties using their personal brand, often referred to as their name, image, and likeness. The NCAA fully supports these opportunities for student-athletes across all three divisions.
Here is my definition: Student-athletes can now be paid by companies, organizations, or any vendor that decides to use their name with consent, without breaking any NCAA rules.
Now, there have always been issues with big donors, boosters, former players, and alumni. Whether its money going under the table or boosters buying homes for star players, there have been plenty of shenanigans in college athletics.
Remember SMU in the 80s? SMU is a small, private college near Dallas, Texas. To compete with the likes of Texas, Texas A&M, and Arkansas, the football program and school illegally paid players to play for the team. SMU’s football team was rocking and rolling in the 80s, going undefeated in 1982 and winning bowl games left and right. However, their shady dealings finally caught up with them, and on February 25, 1987, the NCAA issued the university what is known as the Death Penalty, the highest punishment a school can receive. The fallout was catastrophic- a two-year halt on the football program, televised games, and scholarships. SMU’s football program suffered for decades due to their illegal activity.
The NCAA wanted to make an example out of SMU, and they did. However, it did not stop illegal activity across the board.
Players getting paid under the table has been going on for years, SMU just got their hand caught in the cookie jar.
Now, if you were to ask ten people if this was justice or was this too far for the NCAA, you would probably get a five out of ten vote that would lean that justice was served. However, there is the other five out of ten that thought it was too harsh.
These are the people that have always thought college athletes should be compensated. Majority of these voices are mostly former players who played college football before NIL was initiated. But regardless of the data, there’s always been a group of people that have advocated in some form or fashion for student-athletes to be paid.
Fast forward to 2025, not only can student-athletes be compensated for their Name, Image, and Likeness, but some of them are getting paid more than professional players!
Which brings us to our current predicament- is NIL destroying the game we love?
This my opinion and you will either agree or disagree- players should be paid for their name, image, and likeness and I’m glad they’re finally getting compensated for it.
However, just because John Doe can throw 80 yards in high school or college does not mean he should be given a Lamborghini. This is where I must draw the line.
Again, I’m all for these kids getting compensated, but where does it end? Right now, there is no rulebook or governance for NIL. It’s truly the wild west when it comes to this topic. We really need some type of oversight, whether it’s the NCAA, the power five, or even if our U.S. Government has to intervene, something has got to give.
I don’t think NIL is ruining college football, but I do believe in this new era of players being compensated for their Name, Image, and Likeness, there needs to be some sort of regulation.
The game is at a crossroads, and I hope down the road we see a clear path for players and fans alike that keeps the integrity of the game intact for years to come.
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