september 2013 issue

SEPTEMBER 2013 THEGOODBULL.COM

Sweetheart DealBY AARON MITCHELL

Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin announced on July 12 that he will be step-ping down from his position as the 29th President of the University.

“I’m sad to see him go,” said sophomore English ma-jor Alex Mueller, “the way he reached out to students was great for our school.” When asked to describe him in one word, she said: “adorable.”

Chancellor John Sharp chimed in on a similar note, saying that Loftin was “one of the most popular presidents in the history of the school.”

While some believe Loftin has an extraordinary ability to connect with students, oth-ers have criticized him for his spending policies and overall treatment of University funds. Besides advocating for higher student fees during his career as President, a recent request under the Texas Public Infor-mation Act uncovered what some students have described as luxurious resignation terms intended to be kept secret by Loftin.

“I would suggest that you delete the attachment once you have read it and provided back to me any guidance you may have,” said Loftin in the

uncovered email. Ironically, Loftin himself failed to delete said email.

Upon stepping down, Lof-tin asked to receive a year of paid “developmental” leave at his current salary ($425k), a lump sum of twice his an-nual salary ($850k), continua-

Johnny Media

Texas A&M quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner, Johnny Manziel,

addresses reports while at SEC Media Day. Associated Press

In This Issue

BY ANDREW GUSTAFSON

What’s so different about Johnny Football? Why has he become arguably the biggest and most controversial college football star in the last twenty years?

“He’s had too many run-ins with the law,” said Grant Koontz, a sophomore Economics major at Texas A&M. Most students disagree.

Brad Brown, an industrial engineering major,

said, “He’s the first freshman to win the Heisman trophy. No one has ever been this talented at such a young age.”

Everyone seems to have their own opinions about him—opinions that drown out the facts about Johnny. So let’s look at the facts.

On the field, his talent is undeniable. In his first year starting at Texas A&M, Manziel threw for 3,706 yards and ran for 1,410 yards. He had a combined 47 touchdowns and threw only 9 inter-

ceptions. In the world of college football, Manziel has the

ability of the Superman he so readily emulates and production never before seen at Texas A&M. Op-posing players have acknowledged his ability, such as Sam Montgomery, a former LSU and current NFL player, who said, “Heisman, give it to him.”

He has also formed well-publicized relation-

Smothering media coverage brings Manziel adulation—and trouble

Texas A&M University president, R. Bowen Loftin

See Loftin on page 3

See Johnny on page 5

“These Limits are Ridiculous”Dining changes cause student unrest - p. 3

“The Obamacare Battle” A look at Grassroots influence - p. 2

“A Freshman’s First Tradition.” An inside view of Fish Camp 2013 - p. 4

“The Good Fight” What is The Good Bull? - p. 2

2 • THE GOOD BULL SEPTEMBER 2013

Obamacare BattleDefund Obamacare depends on grassroot tidal wave to succeed

BY CARY CHESHIRE

As America edges closer and closer to the implementa-tion of much of Obamacare on January 1st 2014, public opin-ion has risen more and more against the law. The President himself has sought to de-lay the enaction of the government regulation known as the employ-er mandate, a rule that would force employers to provide health insur-ance for their employees or pay a penalty of $3,000 per worker, by a full cal-endar year.

Many within the politi-cal sphere view this delay as a way to soften the im-pact of Obamacare on the 2014 elections in which a number of Democrats who voted for the bill are facing tough re-election challenges back home. Some also view this as an overreach of presidential pow-er, in effect changing a law that Congress has already passed and overriding the bounds of the executive branch.

Republicans, in contrast, have stood together, in their complete opposition to the leg-islation. “This announcement means even the Obama ad-ministration knows the ‘train wreck’ will only get worse,” House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said in a statement. “This is a clear acknowledg-ment that the law is unwork-able, and it underscores the need to repeal the law and re-place it with effective, patient-centered reforms.”

While they are united in op-

position, the Republican Party is divided in response. One camp led by a gang of young “Tea Party” Senators includ-ing Ted Cruz (TX), Mike Lee (UT), Rand Paul (KY), and Marco Rubio (FL) are seeking to use Congress’s budgetary

power to defund Obamacare. In October, a continuing reso-lution is needed to maintain government spending across all sectors. For this group of Republicans, the way to win is to simply exempt it from the spending bill, thus funding all other governmental commit-ments except Obamacare.

This plan would need 41 members in the Senate or 218 in the House and as of print odds looked slim. “We do not have the votes right now,” Cruz said. “But I believe if we see a grass-roots tsunami that is going to cause Republicans

and Democrats to listen to the people. … It is going to take a tsunami and I’m going to do everything I can to encourage that tsu-nami.”

The other side is that of traditional leadership. The Republican leaders: Including House Speaker Boehner and Senate Mi-nority Leader Mitch Mc-Connell (KY) have been skeptical of this tactic, thinking that the president will never agree to defund his signature achievement and instead will be more than willing for the Re-publicans to “shut down the government” and take

the blame for it. Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) calls the de-fund plan “the dumbest he has ever heard” and a “failed strat-egy”.

Sen. Cruz lamented this stance, saying. “The people fighting the hardest against defunding Obamacare are Re-publicans. The Republicans are all shooting at those who are trying to work with the grassroots...”

While the defunding effort is controversial, the health care law itself is becoming increas-ingly less popular and the fight on both sides will only inten-sify as the October deadline approaches.

The Good Fight

2304 Briar Oaks Drive, Bryan, Texas, 77802TheGoodBull@gmail.com

TheGoodBull.com

From the EditorEditorial

Aaron MitchellEDITOR -IN-CHIEF

Aaron De LeonCONTENT EDITOR

Fernando SosaCONENT EDITOR

Lauren FelderLAYOUT EDITOR

Maddie SchulzSTAFF WRITER

Hunter FarrisSTAFF WRITER

Chase McGuireSTAFF WRITER

Andrew GustafonSTAFF WRITER

Cary CheshireGUEST COLUMNIST

While the GOP defunding effort is controversial, Obamacare itself is becoming increasingly less popular.

BY AARON DE LEON

As you pick up this paper, you may be wondering what exactly this is all about.

At The Good Bull, we strive to emphasize and pro-mote the traditions of A&M with our content. We will be as redass as humanly pos-sible and promote the Aggie spirit on our campus. For example, our news articles will refer to the school down the road as t-u.

Besides our redassery, we will run the conservative opinions and factual stories

that you won’t see in the University’s daily paper.

Recently, The Princeton Review named the top con-servative colleges in the nation. Taking the top spot was Auburn University, but in a close second was Texas A&M University. This came as a surprise to me, having my fair share of left leaning talking heads as professors. These professors get away with too much, setting agendas and indoc-

trinating students. Just last year a devout socialist, Dan-ny Glover, came to tell our student body that the second amendment was intended to enforce slavery.

There is no accountabil-ity for these professors and faculty.

The students must have a voice; a real voice that isn’t governed or watched over by the University. At The Good Bull our number one goal is to inform students, not please the administra-tion or faculty.

We understand that col-lege is an important time in one’s life. During one’s time at A&M, they will shape their world views and make important life decisions. Because of this, we want to act as a resource to students throughout campus by help-ing them combat talking heads and faculty with set agendas.

We will challenge thought, policy, and issues on campus. When only one side of the story is voiced, we will fill that void. You, the student, have a right to hear every angle of an issue or story and we will be the missing link. While doing so, we will promote the Ag-gie Spirit and unity among our student body.

We hope you’ll pick us up. We’ll be out the first week of every month.

‘The students must have a voice; a real voice that isn’t governed or watched over by the University.’

Nah, not him—we found him on Wikimedia Commons. But YOU can!

We’re looking for writers, photogra-phers, and editors,

so if that’s you, drop us a line:TheGoodBull@gmail.com

S.F.

KYL

LAN

D

Who contributes to?

THE GOOD BULL • 3SEPTEMBER 2013

tion of his presidential salary whenever he becomes a pro-fessor, one year as a professor without a teaching or research load, startup funds for an engi-neering program he will head up (250k), two years of paid leave as he works for a “gov-ernment agency or non-prof-it,” serve as a special advisor for the university (~180k), and the designation of President Emeritus.

To sum it all up, Loftin asked to receive more than $3.1 million from the Univer-sity without working a day as a fulltime professor. Then, as a professor, he expected to make more than three times the aver-age professor’s salary.

In comparison, the last pres-ident of A&M, Elsa Murano, received one year paid leave at $425k and a payout of $295k. When she returned as a profes-sor, she was paid at a range sal-ary of $260k.

“I think some of the stuff was a little outrageous,” said Student Senate Finance Com-

mittee member Katie Hawks, “but he was an awesome presi-dent for our university and de-serves the best.” She went on to say, “I can’t wait to see what else he can do in the future for our campus and the engineer-ing department.”

With Loftin stepping down, speculation has begun as to who the next President will be. Texas Governor Rick Perry’s name has been rumored since his recent announcement that he will not seek reelection.

Chancellor Sharp said that the next president ideally would be an “academic that has the ability to influence Washington as well as Texas” and is forming a committee that will search for the next university president.

Some consider Perry any-thing but an academic, cit-ing his undergraduate perfor-mance at A&M. However, Perry’s influence in Texas as well as Washington and his fis-cally conservative stance have gained him praise.

During his undergraduate time at A&M, Perry was a Yell Leader and a member of the Corps of Cadets, Squadron 6.

LoftinContinued from page 1

‘These Limits Are Ridiculous’Petition calls for Dining Services to reverse changes

BY FERNANDO SOSA,

Meal plan changes going into effect this year led Alex Parker, a sophomore living on-campus, to start an online peti-tion requesting that University dining services, now managed by a private company called

Chartwells, revert to their pre-vious meal plan options.

Parker argues that with the $1200 per semester option available last year “I could comfortably afford breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with any late night snacks or last minute groceries I needed.”

“Because the dining plan is required for sophomores on campus, for reasons I do not

understand,” Parker wrote on the petition description, “I was automatically signed up for the Howdy plan, which, after over a $100 price jump, I am get-ting less out of.”

The changes offer only 4 meal plans for on-campus students though freshmen and

sophomores living on campus are required to purchase the smallest plan (Howdy Plan, $1236/semester). Juniors liv-ing on-campus will be re-quired to purchase a meal plan next year as well as on-campus seniors in 2015 per regulations approved by administration prior to outsourcing which transferred into the contract with Chartwells.

The new plans also re-strict students to one meal per “zone” which would limit the ability for students to purchase meals for others unless they purchase “guest passes” as part of their plans.

Jason Ki Joon Byun, a soph-omore who said he signed the petition, said “the only thing worse than having no money is being unable to use it the way we want to. These limits are ridiculous.”

According to the Chart-wells website for the Univer-sity, “Howdy Plan Meals are added in each week and ac-cumulate over four weeks be-fore resetting” meaning that students can potentially lose meals that accumulate in about a month. Leftovers from the fall are non-transferrable for the spring semester, another change from the previous sys-tem which allowed students to rollover a limited amount of remaining dining dollars to the spring semester with the pur-chase of another plan.

“Guestpasses, dining dol-lars, meal plan, meal trade: this system is overly complicated. You have to give the right ter-minology to the right cashier to walk away with food,” said Anthony Guzman, a sopho-more living on campus, “I have $20 left in dining dollars, and it’s day 3 of college. I may have to take out a loan if I want

to not starve this year.”The smallest plan available

for commuters, targeting up-perclassmen and off-campus students, is the Maroon $600 plan, giving customers only 600 dining dollars, despite rumors last spring that a $400 plan would be offered. Mean-while, the third and largest

plan gives students $1100 dining dollars for $1000 plus taxes.

At the time of submission, the petition had 782 registered supporters and growing, 218 shy of its goal.

To find the petition go to change.org and search “TAMU Dining.”

After new meal plan rules, Aggie students are forced to wait in line for lunch at a popular campus dining spot, Sbisa Dining Hall.

Photo credit - Christa Walker

Aggieland

PICTURED ABOVE IS ONE OF THE NEW DINING OPTIONS ON CAMPUS. WITH THIS DISH, A STUDENT MUST ALSO BUY AN ADDITIONAL SIDE AND FOUNTAIN DRINK TO ADHERE TO NEW DINIING RULES. PHOTO CREDIT - CHRISTA WALKER

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4 • THE GOOD BULL SEPTEMBER 2013

BY MADDIE SCHULZ

Walking, talking, yelling; the gravel crunching under-foot, blurred by the heat waves. The hoarse call of voices that are long gone, and some that are in the process of leaving, penetrate the air. It’s a color

wheel explosion; red hair, pur-ple tulle, yellow socks. From the shy and awkward encoun-ters in Reed to the rowdy, ca-cophonous crowd on the final day at Lakeview, Fish Camp is unlike any home you have ever experienced. And for many, Fish Camp - and the friends

that come with it - is home. The tradition began in 1954

(Old Army days), when the rough-and-tumble corps fresh-men were invited on a camping trip by Gordon Gay, a YMCA director. He took the students fishing, and thus began Fish Camp. What started as a small fishing trip to help freshmen feel welcomed morphed into a four-day, all-encompassing orientation for approximately 70% of incoming freshmen. It occurs toward the end of the summer, and is separated into seven different sessions, each of which generally contains six different color-coded camps: red, yellow, green, aqua, blue, and purple. Each camp is led by two co-chairs and 24 counselors, totaling to ap-proximately 1,000 counselors throughout all of Fish Camp. Camp is further broken down into DGs (discussion groups) which are smaller groups of 8-12 freshmen whose discus-sions are facilitated by two counselors. The purpose is to help new students garner a sense of community through close discussions and solidari-ty, build friendships with other freshmen, and aid in integrat-

ing them into the Aggie family. However, these are only the

formalities of the program. The intricacies really lie in the bonds formed while at Lakev-iew Methodist Center in Pal-estine, Texas, where the camp is held. Whether your favorite part is watching the counsel-ors make fools out of them-selves during educational (yet entertaining) skits or dancing till your feet swell up at the nightly mixers, Fish Camp offers something for every-one. One freshman, Matthew Reeves, remarks, “Well, my favorite part wasn’t the heat, surprise, surprise. It was the DG times. I thought I wasn’t going to make friends, and DG

times really pushed me to talk to the other fish and branch out. My DG parents were also there to help me, which made the whole experience better.”

At Fish Camp, counselors are there every step of the way; to lead, to guide, and to create a fun and accepting atmosphere. Becoming a counselor is a rig-orous process, and rightly so: those that are fortunate enough to be selected must hold a mindset that is entirely focused upon the freshmen and making their experience as enjoyable, and memorable, as possible. Which, yes, does include crazy haircuts in unnaturally

Fish camp counselors promote the Aggie traditions and spirit to incom-ing freshmen, while creating lasting bonds with them at Lakeview and

in Aggieland.

Aggieland

A Freshman’s First TraditionA look into Fish Camp 2013

See Fish Camp, next page

What started as a small fishing trip to help freshmen feel welcomed morphed into a four-day, all-encompassing orientation for approximately 70% of incoming freshmen.

THE GOOD BULL • 5SEPTEMBER 2013

ships with other football play-ers on opposing teams such as Denzel Nkemdiche of Ol’ Miss and AJ McCarron of Ala-bama. Yet Manziel has a dif-ferent story off the field.

Ever since blowing up in the media last fall, Manziel seems to be everywhere, whether he likes it or not. He has taken multiple photos with different high-profile celebrities like Lebron James, and he even seems to have formed a friend-ship with Drake.

As the spotlight shines brighter, he seems to be ridi-culed more often. Every move he makes is sensationalized by television networks like ESPN.

He has been criticized for leaving the Manning Passing Academy early and mocked for a variety of other small in-cidences, such as being asked to leave a t-u fraternity party.

His most-publicized gaffe recently has been the NCAA

investigation on him signing autographs for money.

Whether he did do it or not, there is no evidence of him actually receiving payment (remember, this article is all

about the facts). Despite this, Johnny still had to serve a half-game suspension against Rice.

He does not use perfor-mance enhancing drugs like MLB all-star Alex Rodriguez, who received less negative coverage than Manziel this year.

We know he plays by the

rules – unless the reports about him being created by the Fight-ing Texas Aggie Engineering Department are true.

What you probably didn’t hear about, though, were the sick children he visited with The Heisman Trophy, how other players defend his on-the-field actions against Rice on Twitter, or how he really is a nice and likeable guy.

Remember, Manziel is a 20 year old; he’s not a role model or a villain. More importantly, though, he’s an Aggie, and Ag-gies shouldn’t let profit-driven, big-business media control how they view another Aggie. Not to mention the amount of t-u graduates that work at ESPN.

Johnny is part of our Uni-versity’s family and deserves to be treated as such. We need to forget the image painted by the big-shots trying to make a buck and realize who Johnny is: a fierce competitor who may show some signs of im-maturity but is a caring, like-able guy.

JohnnyContinued from page 1

“Remember, Manziel is a 20 year old; he’s not a role model or a villain. More importantly, though he’s an Aggie, and Aggies shouldn’t let profit-driven big business media control how to view another Aggie.”

Aggie Football ’13: An Indepth Look‘The Aggies will be SEC and BCS championship contenders in 2013’

BY CHASE MCGUIRE

Coming into the 2012 sea-son, expectations were low for the Texas A&M football team. Entering the daunting South-eastern Conference, led by a new head coach, and breaking in a freshman quarterback, the Aggies had a hill to climb.

11 wins, a major upset over #1 Alabama, and a Heisman trophy later, the Aggies are entering the 2013-2014 season riding a high the likes of which Aggieland has not seen since the early 1990’s. After pulling in a highly touted recruiting class, A&M enters the season ranked 6th nationally in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

With Coach Kevin Sumlin at the helm, the Aggies will be SEC and BCS championship contenders in 2013.

On offense, the Aggies re-turn 6 starters. Heisman trophy winning quarterback Johnny Manziel leads a unit that fig-ures to be among the best in the nation. Although the offen-sive line lost Outland trophy winner, Luke Joeckel, to the NFL, it still figures to be near the top of the nation.

All- American Jake Mat-thews, now a senior, will slide to left tackle to take Joeckel’s place, while juniors Cedric Og-buehi and Jarvis Harrison help fill out a unit filled with NFL talent. In the backfield, Johnny Manziel returns with a bevy of running backs that could each start at most FBS schools. Ben Malena, Trey Williams, and

Brandon Williams will share most of the carries this season, while Tra Carson provides a bruising presence in short-yardage situations.

The Aggies lost a lot of tal-ent at wide receiver this off-season with the departures of Ryan Swope, Uzoma Nwa-chukwu, and Kenric McNeal, but do not expect production to drop off in the slightest. Sophomore receiver Mike Evans may be the best in the SEC, while Ricky Seals-Jones, Jeremy Tabuyo, and Ja’Quay Williams will head up a fresh-man receiving corps that may be the best Texas A&M has ever seen.

At tight end, veteran Nehe-miah Hicks and 6’ 6” JUCO standout Cam Clear will bring a new dimension to the offensive attack. All in all, the

Aggies will field one of the most talented offenses in col-lege football and will look to improve upon their 44.5 points per game average from last year.

Defensively, the Aggies will field a secondary that is both faster and more talented than last year’s team, but less experienced overall. With All-American defensive end Da-montre Moore departing for the NFL, the Aggie defensive line has some big shoes to fill.

While there might not be a dominant pass rusher like Von Miller or Jadaveon Clowney in the rotation, the defensive front four should still be solid. Kirby Ennis and Julien Obioha will carry a lot of the load in the trenches, and highly-re-cruited freshman Isaiah Gold-en, Hardreck Walker, Daeshon Hall, and Justin Manning will

help a unit that should be for-midable by season’s end.

At linebacker, the Aggies lost two outstanding leaders in Sean Porter and Jonathan Stewart. While linebacker re-mains the most concerning position on the team, Steven Jenkins had a strong campaign last year with 79 tackles.

Behind him, juniors Don-nie Baggs and Tommy Sand-ers will lead a talented but inexperienced group includ-ing Darian Claiborne, Jordan Mastrogiovanni, and wide receiver-turned-linebacker Nate Askew.

The secondary will be the strongest part of the Aggie defense this season, returning standouts De’Vante Harris, Howard Matthews, and De-shazor Everett. Clay Honeyc-utt, Floyd Raven Sr., and Tony Hurd Jr. will also be in the mix

along with a horde of fresh-man defenders.

Although many point to the Aggie defense as the team’s greatest weakness this season, defensive coordinator Mark Snyder can put together a sur-prisingly stout group if a few young players grow up quickly.

A&M continues its home stand with the next three games, facing the likes of Sam Houston State, Alabama, and SMU. The Alabama game on September 14th is easily the most anticipated college football game of the year, a rematch of one of last year’s most exciting matchups.

The Aggies take their first road trip of the year to Arkan-sas followed by a trip to Ole Miss. Coming back home, the Aggies have another four game home stand against Auburn, Vanderbilt, UTEP, and Missis-sippi State. Following a valu-able bye week, the Aggies end the regular season on the road against LSU and Missouri.

Expectations are at an all-time high in College Station this year, and the Aggies have the personnel to meet them. With a high-powered offense, a talented, if untested, defense, and one of the best coach-ing staffs in the nation, Texas A&M will field its best team since most current students were born.

The Aggies have a legiti-mate shot at an SEC and even BCS championship in 2013. Who would have believed that a year ago?

Ben Malena leads a talented backfield, while Cedric Ogbuehi helps anchor the offensive line.

Although many point to the Aggie defense as the team’s greatest weakness, defensive coordinator Mark Snyder can put together a surprisingly stout group if a few young players grow up quickly.

Sports

vibrant colors, piercings, vo-luptuous tutus, “man sticks,” and swimming tubes. It may sound strange, but these are traditions that in and of them-selves channel so much spirit and enthusiasm that even the most apathetic freshman can’t help but feel a little excited… regardless of how frightening the visage is initially.

Aside from counselors, fish receive some wisdom from older members of the Ag-gie community: Namesakes. Each camp is named after an individual that has affected the university in a positive way. Hundreds of Namesakes are nominated each year, with only a select few chosen. During one night of Fish Camp, the namesake of the camp comes and speaks to freshmen about what to expect and dispels tid-bits of wisdom. One Name-sake, Ms. Cutshall, comically advised freshmen to “Eat Top Ramen, it’s cheap.” With

both Namesakes and counsel-ors at their disposal, freshmen are able to learn about attend-ing A&M, the dos and don’ts of college life, and the world beyond, all before school has even started.

Regardless of whether you are a freshman that just at-tended camp, a counselor, or an older Ag just remembering “that one time at Lakeview,” Fish Camp is an amazing tra-dition that transcends time and division. While we may part ways after camp, and separate into groups of closer friends and different organizations, there is always that memory of the sun, the yells, the skits and the community. Though it lasts only four days, it shows us that we may come together regardless of background and personality and become one Aggie family, brought together by fate, but bound by tradition. Because once you have been, then you may truly understand that “from the outside looking in, you can’t understand it, and from the inside looking out, you can’t explain it.”

Fish CampContinued from page 4

6 • THE GOOD BULL SEPTEMBER 2013Sports

Why Shouldn’t Manziel Profit?Good Bull contributor weighs in on NCAA player benefits.

BY HUNTER FARRIS

Tony Romo and Sean Lee will collectively take home somewhere around $150 mil-lion to play professional football over the next few seasons, and why shouldn’t they? They’ve been through the college route, made a name for themselves in the NFL, and they gener-ate quite a bit of money for the Cowboys franchise.

Of course, the Cowboys aren’t the only ones benefit-ting off their beloved players. The NFL collects millions of dollars year-round through merchandise and advertising.

No one seems to call out the NFL for making too much off of its players. In fact, people criticize the fat pay checks of professional football players more so than any other aspect of the game.

You don’t have to be a Dal-las Cowboys fan to know that this is a pretty regular thing in the NFL. Players collect thou-sands of dollars to go play a

game of football once a week for maybe a third of the year, but is it really that unfair? Ev-eryone benefits from the pro-fessional football structure. Perhaps there is some imbal-ance here and there, but no one is making absolutely nothing off the system that’s directly involved.

If we back up a little bit in the careers of Romo or Lee, we find them in college doing the same thing they’re doing in the NFL now. But this time, they aren’t making a dime for it. However, there are still two entities in the picture making money off of their ability and name. The first being their re-spective school, and the sec-ond being the NCAA. Now, I’m not too sure how much profit either of those players were truly generating at that point in their careers, so let’s go to a more modern example: Johnny Manziel.

Johnny Football—the ti-tan of the money-making ma-chine that the NCAA has set up. It’s the perfect system...well, for some. Manziel does what he did with Texas A&M last year: he wins 10 games, 11 including a win over Okla-homa in the post-season, and he secures the Heisman Tro-phy. What does he get in re-turn? Lots of fame, celebrity connections, and a free educa-tion. Oh, and the alleged ‘au-tograph’ selling.

For some, this isn’t a bad deal. But when you really start stacking up the numbers, the gap is huge between just how much the NCAA makes, and how little the players take home. The NCAA makes mil-lions from merchandise using

Manziel’s number 2 jersey. Manziel, comparatively, takes home a free education—may-be around a $100,000 dollar value, but that’s pushing it.

Now in Manziel’s case, things are still a little unclear as far as what should happen. Because once Manziel is done racking up tons of yardage in his college career, he’s going to go to the NFL and make the same thousands of dollars that the rest of the quality NFL players do. And many will say that because of that prospect, the system is fine as a whole.

However, lets say Manziel’s career takes an unexpected turn. During the next season, Manziel finds himself scram-

bling in a broken down play against Alabama at Kyle Field. As he plants his foot hard into the field to pivot, Manziel’s knee buckles and he falls to the ground. As he is rushed to a doctor, it’s quickly confirmed that he’s sustained a major knee injury similar to Daunte Culpepper’s career-ending injury back in 2004. Manziel is easily out for the season. And much like Culpepper, he’s never able to return to his same ability pre-injury for the remainder of his career.

This is an extreme scenar-io, but it’s not totally unreal-istic. In this instance, after it’s all over, the NCAA has taken home thousands of dollars us-

ing Manziel’s name and abil-ity, and Manziel will never see a dime of it. The reality is that each college football player is risking this outcome every season. The question then must become, is it unfair how much the NCAA profits versus how little the players make in return?

Whether there is a solu-tion to this issue remains to be seen. Certainly the spirit of college football should be maintained, but perhaps there are some stiff NCAA sanctions that could be lifted in some areas. In these types of situa-tions, it’s extremely difficult to come up with some overarch-ing compromise that makes every party satisfied. The NFL may have some things right, but it still faces criticism every day about how the players risk or how much they’re reward-ed. But for the time being, players like Manziel must hold their breath, and do their best to stay healthy for the sake of their career.

The NCAA may not be some slave-holding institu-tion, but perhaps a comparison can draw a clearer picture of what’s going on. If the fed-eral government were to col-lect taxes and in return only provide order, how satisfied would the public be? The gov-ernment wouldn’t offer pro-tection, economic stability, or public services, but they’d still maintain the same taxes. If this is an acceptable set-up, then the argument is definitely lost. However, if you find yourself in the majority of finding this unacceptable, you might take a look at the imbalance of pay-outs in college football.

Manziel wears his signature #2 jersey during an Aggie football game, the same jersey number the NCAA profits from selling.

The NCAA makes millions from merchandise using Manziel’s number 2 jersey. Manziel, comparatively, takes home a free education—maybe around a $100,000 dollar value, but that’s pushing it.

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