Should College Athletes Profit From Their Name?

It seems to be getting into epidemic proportions these days: upper echelon athletes taking money for autographs.

Just recently Todd Gurley, the great running back of the Georgia Bulldogs, was suspended indefinitely for getting paid for his autograph. Now, last year's troubled Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston is also facing the same sort of investigation.

There is a difference between Gurley and Florida State's quarterback: Winston has not been suspended indefinitely. Winston has a laundry list of big time problems at Florida State. He isn't any kind of role model for young kids across this country.

Winston is the poster child of the double standard in college athletics. His troubles are far too many to go into. This is about whether college players should make a profit off of their names or likeness.

I really believe college athletes--male and female--should be paid for autographs, public appearances, or anything of that sort. But the NCAA says no. This could change in time, but for now you have to follow the rules.

Former Texas A&M Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel was in trouble last year for profiting off the signing of his autograph. But in that case the NCAA looked the other way. All I can say is the NCAA better loosen the string real soon with this situation or great college athletes will be trying to break the rules at an epidemic rate.