Slam Dunk Recruiting Tactic

[TeddyOH]

With regards to Megatron's impending retirement, they had a lot of talk about wear and tear on the NFL body this morning on ESPN radio. Here are some INSANE stats:

• More players under 30 retired this year than ever before, 19. These are guys who DIDN'T GET CUT.
  
• The current average NFL career length, 3.3 years according to official NFLPA stats.
• The oldest current NFL player is Adam Vinitieri at 43, a kicker.
• The oldest non-kicker is Matt Hasselbeck, who is 40.

So what does that tell you? Clearly players hoping to play in the NFL need to have a plan for after football.

Brian Kelly's strongest recruiting tactic should always be life after football. We have heard about the 40 year decision too often, and it rings a little hollow to me. Obviously ND provides a good education, but crystallizing the real world importance of said education is paramount. He and his staff should walk into every recruits home and drop these stats. It's not too late for the remaining targets!

Don't forget to mention that ND had 29 players on NFL rosters in 2015, good for 9th among all colleges. Finally, bring a list of former ND players who did make the NFL and some of those who did not. Show what they are doing in life after football. There are so many ND alum to be proud of, accomplishing great things in the world.

 

[IRISHJD98]

With regards to Megatron's impending retirement, they had a lot of talk about wear and tear on the NFL body this morning on ESPN radio. Here are some INSANE stats:

• More players under 30 retired this year than ever before, 19. These are guys who DIDN'T GET CUT.
  
• The current average NFL career length, 3.3 years according to official NFLPA stats.
• The oldest current NFL player is Adam Vinitieri at 43, a kicker.
• The oldest non-kicker is Matt Hasselbeck, who is 40.

So what does that tell you? Clearly players hoping to play in the NFL need to have a plan for after football.

Brian Kelly's strongest recruiting tactic should always be life after football. We have heard about the 40 year decision too often, and it rings a little hollow to me. Obviously ND provides a good education, but crystallizing the real world importance of said education is paramount. He and his staff should walk into every recruits home and drop these stats. It's not too late for the remaining targets!

Don't forget to mention that ND had 29 players on NFL rosters in 2015, good for 9th among all colleges. Finally, bring a list of former ND players who did make the NFL and some of those who did not. Show what they are doing in life after football. There are so many ND alum to be proud of, accomplishing great things in the world.

You could add to that list that the average length of an NFL career is longer for guys that get their degrees.

 

[wicker]

people worried about head injuries and brain damage aren't going to play football in the first place

 

[TeddyOH]

people worried about head injuries and brain damage aren't going to play football in the first place

Not true at all. Most players are very conscious of the long-term risks in this day and age. Even at the high school level.

This discussion is about much more than head injuries though. It's simple reality. For many reasons, the playing career of an NFL player is very short. The average NFL salary is also the lowest of the 4 major pro sports in America. Unless you are a starting QB getting a 2nd contract or a perennial all-pro level player, you are not going to retire in luxury to live off your football earnings. You don't have to search very hard to find many examples of former players struggling to make ends meet.

Simple math:

• Average NFL career: 3.3 years
• 2015 average NFL salary: $2.11M
• So the average career earnings are $7.0M

Remember, this is just basic math. There are probably many more players below this average than above it due to the guys at the top raking in 8 figure career earnings.

Now assume you were 22 in your rookie season. That $7.0M needs to last THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Let's just assume you live to the age of 76 (USA average). That is 54 years. Dividing those career earnings annually gets you $129k per year. Don't forget about the tax man! If you were wise with your money and investments, that might get you by. But how many players are going to live frugally to stretch that cash? I know I couldn't!

 

[perseverare]

people worried about head injuries and brain damage aren't going to play football in the first place

that is unless they are have already played and are not able to use good judgement anymore.

 

[D_Master]

Not true at all. Most players are very conscious of the long-term risks in this day and age. Even at the high school level.

This discussion is about much more than head injuries though. It's simple reality. For many reasons, the playing career of an NFL player is very short. The average NFL salary is also the lowest of the 4 major pro sports in America. Unless you are a starting QB getting a 2nd contract or a perennial all-pro level player, you are not going to retire in luxury to live off your football earnings. You don't have to search very hard to find many examples of former players struggling to make ends meet.

Simple math:

• Average NFL career: 3.3 years
• 2015 average NFL salary: $2.11M
• So the average career earnings are $7.0M

Remember, this is just basic math. There are probably many more players below this average than above it due to the guys at the top raking in 8 figure career earnings.

Now assume you were 22 in your rookie season. That $7.0M needs to last THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Let's just assume you live to the age of 76 (USA average). That is 54 years. Dividing those career earnings annually gets you $129k per year. Don't forget about the tax man! If you were wise with your money and investments, that might get you by. But how many players are going to live frugally to stretch that cash? I know I couldn't!

yeah but lets also look at it this way. If you make 7 million in 3 years that's the same as making $250,000 in a job for 28 years. There's a pretty limited quantity of jobs in that income range and even if you are lucky enough to land 1, you don't make it to $7 million until likely your 60's.

 

[Walruzz]

So the two oldest players in the league are both Colts. That explains the season.

 

[IrishBlooded]

Actually I would use the example of someone exactly like Justin Tuck. A player from SEC country (Alabama) that was highly sought after by all the major schools and chose ND. Graduated from ND with a management degree from the Mendoza College of Business.

Was drafted in the 3rd round (the Giants got a steal on that one), won a superbowl ring, set records both for ND, and for the Giants.

And started his own charity 'Tucks rush for Literacy'.

That is a man that has used his God given gifts to better his life, and the life of others in a positive and meaningful manner.