Patriots Ty Warren gives up bonus to work on his degree...

[salsadancer7]

This is a great story and a guy that puts things in perspective. This guy is being a role model AS A PARENT and not as a professional athlete.

New England Patriots defensive end Ty Warren is forgoing his $250,000 offseason workout bonus, he says, because no amount of money is worth having his kids see their father without a college degree.

A possible NFL lockout in 2011, which has him thinking more about life after his playing career, also is on his mind.

That's why as the Patriots opened their voluntary offseason program Monday, the 29-year-old Warren was home in Bryan, Texas, with his wife, Kesha, and their three kids, Brionna, Brielle and Bailey.

"I try to put the kids in the best educational system possible and I think there is something to be said for their father, who has been blessed to play in the NFL and do something he's loved to do, going back and finishing what he started," Warren said from the campus of Texas A&M. "In the big picture, I think it's important for me to do what I'm doing. I can sacrifice that bonus for that."

New England Patriots' Ty Warren skips bonus to work on degree - ESPN Boston

 

[Will94]

Good for Ty!

Saw him at Kroger this morning (not really)

 

[salsadancer7]

Funny how EVERYONE wants to comment when an athlete does wrong....but no one give a crap when he does right!

 

[Derwin0]

kudos for being a great example to his kids :up:up:up

 

[BillD1984]

Funny how EVERYONE wants to comment when an athlete does wrong....but no one give a crap when he does right!

Exactly right, Salsa!! :up

That and/or it doesn't concern their team.

Thanks for posting this Salsa, and kudos to Ty..................an athlete with a heart bigger than his body!

 

[Rey]

Funny how EVERYONE wants to comment when an athlete does wrong....but no one give a crap when he does right!

:up:up:up

 

[HD MM]

Good for Ty! Great example for the youth!

 

[riffjim4069]

Always glad to see someone doing what is right and/or sticking to their principles. Although I encourage all college athletes to earn their degrees prior to entering professional sports, it's a very tough choice since the financial motivation to leave the college ranks simply cannot be ignored.

Additionally, even the academically gifted athletes are too busy being a pseudo-professional athlete during their college careers that the education they receive is often far-less than what they are capable of attaining. A perfect example is my nephew who played 4-years at Michigan (football). Although he had a full athletic scholarship, he also entered the University with a 1370 SAT score and a desire to become a chemical engineer. Unfortunately, he earned a BA in Sports Management due to the tremendous amount of time (training, travel, etc.) involved with the football program.

Anyway, I applaud Mr. Warren for going back to school to earn his degree. To be honest, most of us would understand putting this decision off for a few more years due to the $$$ involved - he could always obtain his degree when his NFL career is over. As much as I love College Football I would rather see the University's focus more attention on getting their kids to graduate than on playing in some bowl game.

 

[salsadancer7]

Always glad to see someone doing what is right and/or sticking to their principles. Although I encourage all college athletes to earn their degrees prior to entering professional sports, it's a very tough choice since the financial motivation to leave the college ranks simply cannot be ignored.

Anyway, I applaud Mr. Warren for going back to school to earn his degree. To be honest, most of us would understand putting this decision off for a few more years due to the $$$ involved - he could always obtain his degree when his NFL career is over. As much as I love College Football I would rather see the University's focus more attention on getting their kids to graduate than on playing in some bowl game.

Great post RIFF. I definately agree with your last line. But you know full well, that university programs use these kids. They throw the idea of "free eduation/room/board"...but truth be told, they get ALOT more out of a student-athlete than the student/athlete gets out of college. They in the tens of millions of dollars off these great players and the moment they get injured....see ya, it was nice knowing you....now gimme back what's left of that scholarship.:rant:

I have seen it before way too many times with the kids I have coached in high school and with guys I went to Florida State with.

 

[AntAltMike]

If it was my dad, I'd want him to make another $250,000. For that matter, how hard is it to exercise during the off season and take some college courses at the same time? When he was in school, he exercised during the season and took some courses at the same time. I think he's too lazy to exercise enough to make himself into the best football player that he can be.

I remember back when some reporters were questioning the academic commitment of Houston's Phi Slamma Jamma team, and coach Guy Lewis cited a surprisingly high percentage for players who, "had earned their degree <mutter mode on> or are still pursuing it "</mutter mode off>. By his definition, any former student who had taken a college credit course within the last five years was still pursuing his degree, so Elvin Hayes was counted in that group.

 

[Will94]

For that matter, how hard is it to exercise during the off season and take some college courses at the same time? When he was in school, he exercised during the season and took some courses at the same time.

I get the idea that in order to get the bonus he would have to stay in New England and work out at team facilities. Ty wanted to attend classes, so he moved back to Texas. He can work out at A&M. We have beautiful facilities. I just don't think he can get his bonus working out here.

TEXAS A&M OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE - Facilities

 

[meStevo]

Millionaire gives up $250k to go to school, not really sure what the feel good story here is. Education first guys, especially if you're already rich!

Story lacks perspective, he's already made his money, he just signed a $35m contract with $18m in guaranteed money.

In a bubble, the gesture sounds nice, but it's not like he donated it, it just stays in the Kraft's pockets.

 

[salsadancer7]

No matter HOW rich you are.....$250,000 is NOTHING to sneeze at.

 

[neljtorres]

This is good for him!

 

[Mr Tony]

very cool

 

[Jimbo]

Great post RIFF. I definately agree with your last line. But you know full well, that university programs use these kids. They throw the idea of "free eduation/room/board"...but truth be told, they get ALOT more out of a student-athlete than the student/athlete gets out of college. They in the tens of millions of dollars off these great players and the moment they get injured....see ya, it was nice knowing you....now gimme back what's left of that scholarship.:rant:

I have seen it before way too many times with the kids I have coached in high school and with guys I went to Florida State with.

Salsa,
When a college player (well say football for the sake of this post) gets injured, who pays the bill for surgery or what ever needs to be done to get him back on the field .... The parents or the university ?

 

[salsadancer7]

Salsa,
When a college player (well say football for the sake of this post) gets injured, who pays the bill for surgery or what ever needs to be done to get him back on the field .... The parents or the university ?

University. But if he cannot play anymore...and he was just a so-so player. KISS that scholarship good bye! I am living proof of that. After 2 arthroscopic knee surgeries in each knee back in '85, Florida State told me I could not play baseball anymore.....they told me "see ya". And when things were good(like BEFORE my operations)....they wouldn't even work to make a little money for OTHER expensive NOT covered by my scholarship. You know, things like laundry, an occasional movie and a little vacation.

ALSO, how much money does a great season and a big bowl bring to the university in payoff, increase enrollment and TV contracts, packed stadiums, etc....? Hmmm......?