Rookies learn more than football.

https://www.steelers.com/news/rookies-learn-more-than-football

I've always wanted to ask this question on asked and answered by Labriola. What if anything does the team to help rookies or second year undated free agents prepare for life in football. I have always believed that Limas Sweed was not prepared to leave college and live and train in Pittsburgh with out a support system. Every so often you get tidbits about guys getting advice from veterans but never an in depth type of this is what the team does to help rookies transition. I hope there is a social media bit in there.

 

All I care about is winning games. All this other crap is great for PR value but if we aren't in the playoffs again this year it doesn't matter what they figure out unrelated to the game. Most people who start new jobs get trained in doing their new responsibilities and that is exactly what knowledge transfer I care about. A famous coach long ago said "winning isn't everything, its the only thing".

 

I don't know, I kind of like the inside stuff also. As a fan in Iowa, I don't get many opportunities to see anything other than what is on the field, so that could be a reason why this kind of stuff interests me. Besides, not many jobs give a 22 year old millions of dollars. I would hope they go the extra mile to help these guys manage their money wisely.

 

I am sure the Steelers and the NFL provide quite a bit of tools needed by these young
men to make good decisions. I would think their agents are probably involved
quite a bit.

 

I was at a small town fair and wound up talking to a guy who was an agent. He said he has given his clients plenty of advice. And not one of them has ever listened. He said they are kids who think they are now smart because they are rich.

 

I think their agents hurt more than help. Blowing their heads up to 'god' status. Most seem to be snake-oil salesmen.

 

You have heard the old saying, you can bring a horse to water,
but you can't make him drink. The very respectful agents will try to give
the sudden millionaire options. That is about all they can do.

 

Do they really need to hold they're hands? These guys have gone through college and had it paid for. Shouldn't that have been the place they learn some money management? These are adults at this point. Everything to this point has been done for them to this point, but at some time they have to become responsible for their own lives and futures. They are among people in they're situation every day. The coaches, staff, other players all make pretty good money, the help they may need or want is right in front of them.

 

They also learn things like making sure you have a fall guy to take the rap when you commit a crime. That is what Chris Carter told rookies to do at the NFL rookie symposium a few years back. When I heard that all I thought about was that perhaps Carter never really turned his life around during his playing days, he just paid a fall guy to take the rap.

 

Ray Lewis learned this one well.

 

social media would have to play a big part I bet. That and "nothing good ever happens after midnight" or whatever Herm Edwards said lol.