saban's got a way to get rid of the players he does'nt want

Sep 24, 2010, 5:44 PM

Tide using “medical” scholarships for competitive advantage?

September 24, 2010 by admin
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Former Alabama football players say the school’s No. 1-ranked football program has tried to gain a competitive edge by encouraging some underperforming players to quit the team for medical reasons, even in cases where the players are still healthy enough to play. At least 12 times since coach Nick Saban took over the program in 2007, Alabama has offered players a “medical” scholarship, according to public statements made by the team. These scholarships, which are allowed under NCAA rules, are intended to make sure scholarship athletes who are too injured to play don’t lose their financial aid. A player who receives one of these scholarships is finished playing with that team. Three Alabama players who’ve taken these exemptions say they believe the team uses the practice as a way to clear spots for better players by cutting players it no longer wants. These players said they believe Mr. Saban and his staff pressure some players to take these scholarships even though their injuries aren’t serious enough to warrant keeping them off the field. “I’m still kind of bitter,” said former Alabama linebacker Chuck Kirschman, who took a medical scholarship last year. Mr. Kirschman said Mr. Saban encouraged him to accept the scholarship because of a back problem that he believes he could have played through. “It’s a business,” Mr. Kirschman said. “College football is all about politics. And this is a loophole in the system.” — Wall Street Journal

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It may be unfair if he is the only one doing this, but I do not have a problem with the practice. The person still is allowed to go to school and get their degree. Obviously this only goes to those who have been hurt, and it is possible the coach's opinion is that a full recovery is either not likely or that once recovered they will not be as good as the coach thought they would be.

Players always have the option to transfer if they still want to play. They guy interviews stated he had back problems. He stated he could have played thought it. For a team like Alabama, playing through an injury may just not be good enough.

Guys are getting what they were promised, an education. It they want to play and another team thinks they are healthy enough, then they can transfer.

I wonder what other types of injuries they are talking about. Doubt it is sprained ankles etc...

saban's got a way to get rid of the players he does'nt want

Re: saban's got a way to get rid of the players he does'nt want

Your first sentence is giving your boy, Stevus Christ

Re: saban's got a way to get rid of the players he does'nt want

Re: saban's got a way to get rid of the players he does'nt want

I guess the question is would Ingram get a medical

I actually talked to a coach in GA this week about this

Re: I actually talked to a coach in GA this week about this

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