A paycheck is different from a scholarship. And of course I'm not saying that undeserving students should get a scholarship just because they aren't rich, but you can't tell me that there's a shortage of talented players from not so financially well off backgrounds.

I cant agree or disagree...

I'm in between...

One because he earned it.

And Two because is true, there are others who are also talented but need it more... And I think Diddy can give him an education without a scholarship

They're trying to recruit the most desirable players. It's not about recruiting people who are good and also might be in financial need. Athletic teams don't care about that.

If they want to increase their chances of recruiting a student to attend their school and play on a team, they will work to make an attractive package. I'm sure there were multiple schools that were trying to recruit him. If UCLA didn't give him a scholarship, some other school would have.

Plus, it would be unfair to him if his teammates were being rewarded for playing and he wasn't just because of his background.

Playing football is not a "talent."

People can't be talented athletes?

No.

Unless you are Tebow, but since he's the Second Coming the word "talented" doesn't really fit.

Michael Jordan's not talented?

Sure, there's people who need it more. But if he earned it, with hard work, it's fair and square.

Playing football *well* is a talent, though.

Unless everyone that was eligible is less talented than he is, I really wouldn't say it's unfair. He already has a leg up thanks to his backgroud.

If it's not a talent, then why do so few people successfully pursue a career in it? I wish I had a talent for sports.

I would say he's an excellent or skilled athlete. "Talented" sounds funny. Like, you are running and catching balls. Good for you.

It IS a talent. It's hard to play any type of sport well.

That's like saying painters aren't talented.

He earned it fair and square. Stop bitching around and teach your kids to be an athletic football player to get some scholarship too.

It's just not that simple. If it was that simple, then anyone could play in the NFL, the NBA, MLB, the NHL, association football, or almost all of the other sports and do well. It takes a combination of athleticism and skills (and a little smarts wouldn't hurt, either) to succeed in sports.

If it was as simple as running and catching balls, I could have made it to the NFL.

This comment does not make any sense whatsoever, but if you want to continue thinking that then ok.

Well clearly you need to be AMAZING to go pro. But saying "talented" is just weird. It's not an art. That's like calling someone a talented plumber or something.

I'm speaking in terms of the incentive to play. If others around you are being rewarded to play and you aren't, how would that affect your motivation and performance? All players should have a good incentive to perform well.

The guy has the skill enough to get a sports scholarship AND he has the GPA that could get him into most top universities. Props to him. He is a well rounded student.

Death at people trying to circumvent the issue by saying football doesn't require talent.