<p>"Even at a school like Rice that really isn’t a pro sports breeding ground, more that half of the scholarship athletes and more than 60% of the football team majors in a single department, “Kinesiology”. </p>
<p>“I don’t have any problem with this. These kids are “in school” for one purpose: to play football in preparation for a career in the pros.”</p>
<p>Since there are likely more “kinesiologists”, athletic trainers, junior high, high school, and college coaches, physical education teachers (and professors!), owners and managers of exercise facilities, organizers of afterschool athletic programs, golfing pros, tennis pros, and etc. than there are doctors and lawyers in this country, (and likely a greater need for them), I think you might wish to reconsider your position. (When you went to Billsville, likely 20% of the student body “entered for one purpose: to get good grades in peparation for a career in the medical profession”. As you and I well know, less than a third ended up there.)</p>
<p>But I agree: as regards college football players, the colleges should pay 'em.</p>