The sudden and startling development was huge, colossal, stupendous, even bigger than Chris Christie after multiple Thanksgiving dinners. Did Mariota find a way to get Democrats and Republicans to finally act like grown-ups? Not exactly. Devise a plan which ensures peace the world over? No. Single-handedly ward off a killer asteroid that threatened the very existence of Planet Earth? Not quite, though that would be a whole lot more impressive than the blistering he and his Oregon Ducks took in the national championship game at the hands of those dastardly Ohio State Buckeyes.
What could it possibly be? Brace yourself, sound the trumpets and imagine Tiger Woods just won the Masters again. Yeah, THAT big of sporting news, at least according to the hypsters.
Marcus Ardel Taulauniu Mariota just declared for the NFL draft. Well, no kidding. One would have to doubt his sanity if he didn't. Sure, he still had a year of eligibility left and could have returned to Oregon, but why, pray tell, would he consider such foolishness? Another shot at the college national title? Chances are he wouldn't win it anyway and, even if he did, how much would that pay? (To his credit, he's already received a Bachelor's degree in "General Sciences", whatever that is.) Yet that piece of paper and a couple bucks might get him a half-caf latte at a coffeeshop. Which is a far cry from....
Likely being the #1 overall NFL draft pick. Even thought the league came to its senses (sort of) a few years ago by putting a cap on rookie contracts, it's still likely Mariota will get drafted by the Tampa Bay Bucs and sign a 4 year deal worth upwards of $20 million. At that point, barring utter stupidity in his future, Mariota would be financially set for life. Maybe he turns out to be a big star in the NFL and maybe he's a bust. He could even suffer a career-ending injury during his first season. Nobody knows how it will turn out. But even in the worst case scenario, how can one go wrong with $20M, even after taxes?
On the other hand, if he was to return to Eugene to be the BMOC for another year, one never knows how that might turn out either. Every football player, particularly at the higher levels, is always potentially one play away from the same career-ending injury. If something like THAT were to happen, Mariota could kiss the mega-bucks goodbye.
The NFL is a lot of things, not the least being basically a high-priced meat market. If a player is good enough he can make big bucks. Obviously, he has to be healthy to do so. But if a college "superstar" prospect gets dinged up in a large way, the league is also ruthless. They don't care about coulda, woulda, shoulda beens. Even the players and their union have long acknowledged that reality. If you can't play, for whatever reason, what good are you? None. Worthless. Outta here. Next man up.
So while Mariota declaring for the NFL is supposedly bigger news to some than Hillary, Rush, and Anderson having a 3-way sex-a-thon on national television (scary thought) -- he would have had to be crazy NOT to. The risk/reward factor is a no-brainer.
Then again, he could always fall back on his General Sciences degree to make his fame and fortune in the world.
Good luck with THAT......
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