<p>I think it’s very unfair to suggest thinking about another college to someone in Lt. Bolt’s position. In today’s society, it’s extremely rare to find a top-level athlete who also has enough patriotism to be willing to attend a miltary academy and serve his nation in a time of war. For those of you not familiar with the current affairs in the world of sports (steroids, NBA referees illegally betting on games and shaving points, and suspected mass murders of dogs), Lt. Bolt’s case would be viewed by many as a refreshing dose of what professional sports in our great nation should be associated with, unlike the bizzare and cruel stories we hear everyday on ESPN.</p>
<p>One must realize that a dream of playing professional baseball should not influence a student’s decision on what school he attends, no matter what his skill level may be, for many reasons. In many cases, an athlete may lack the skills or physical attributes in high school necessary to consider a professional career in a certain sport. However, over the course of four years in college, the athlete may develop in size and ability and before he/she knows it, there’s professional scouts coming to watch them play and teams wanting to sign them. </p>
<p>Or let’s say that Lt. Bolt was almost certain before choosing the Air Force Academy that he would eventually play professional baseball, so instead, he decides to take an offer to play for a regular college and go pro upon graduation. Who’s to say that in the four years at his college he remains perfectly healthy? What if he tears a muscle or ligament somewhere in his arm or knee, and his hopes of going pro are all but squashed. Now he graduates from his regular college with a degree in basket weaving, leaving him eternally regretful that he did not accept his appointment to the Air Force Academy.</p>
<p>I believe Lt. Bolt should be given the chance to play professional baseball, and in doing so he would be a small step forward towards detoxifying the incredibly sour world of sports present in our society.</p>