The Most Important Thing Cardale Jones Could Do? Graduate
Cardale Jones has stirred up a whole lot of talk and emotions with the “life changing” decision he made Thursday.
Life changing decision at 4pm
— Cardale Jones (@CJ12_) January 15, 2015
Jones, the winning quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes, has decided that more important than going to the NFL is finishing up his education.
Jones called a press conference on Thursday to announce that he would return to school instead of heading to the NFL right now, despite, according to SB Nation, “winning the Big Ten, Sugar Bowl, and National Championship in three career starts and possessing extra-ideal pro physical traits.”
According to the Washington Post, Jones said, “Being a first-round draft pick means nothing to me without my education.”
While he sent a positive message to teammates and kids all over the country about the importance of receiving an education, many people are questioning if he made the right move.
How many different ways can grown men pick on young people’s awkward decisions – football edition. http://t.co/fJ5EfIROIH @ProFootballTalk — Mooretoonist (@kevinwmoore) January 17, 2015
By not making the jump to the NFL now, Jones is taking a chance of getting injured while still at school.
Also, according to the Washington Post, “OSU Coach Urban Meyer can’t guarantee Jones the opportunity to showcase his talent.”
Jones might be passing up an opportunity that he’ll never receive again.
Jones seems solid in his decision, though, and many are applauding the example he is setting. Jones was quoted as saying that his “education is going to take me 10 times further than my athletic ability.”
Jones isn’t the first football player to decide to finish school first.
Sure wonder if NFL media freaked out when Barkley, Manning and Tebow held pressers to announce returns to school. http://t.co/67VMpBl5l3
— Pete Volk (@Pete_Volk) January 16, 2015
Such sports stars as Peyton Manning, Tim Tebow, and Dak Prescott all held press conferences like Jones to announce that they would be finishing school first before entering the NFL draft.
So what degree is Jones pursuing? When asked by a teacher from his Alma Mater, the Ginn Academy, what his academic goals were, Jones answered he was looking to be a “financial planner,” according to the Bleacher Report.
Jones apparently has a good head on his shoulders, saying, “After I’m done with football, I still have my whole life to live. That’s where I think my education will come in handy.”
Whether the critics agree with it or not, Cardale Jones appears to have a solid plan for his future.
[Photo Courtesy of the Bleacher Report]
