Who was advising our kids to leave early?

**Ed La Fave** · 05-01-2012, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by sebastian91

What??? How the %&$@ do you know he doesn't intend to use his degree????

At the end of the day, you're entitled to your opinion...but it shows a lot more character to stick around and get a degree, for whatever reason, than to make blind assumptions about someone's character and reasons for making decisions without a shred of knowledge or common sense.

Luck got a degree in architectural design and he is embarking on a career as an NFL quarterback. So he obviously isn't intending to use the degree....at least in the foreseeable future.

...the bottom line is that postponing your career to receive an Architectural Degree (that you don't intend to put to use in the immediate future, if at all) doesn't mean you've got lots of character. It just means you prefer to have the degree.

**Ed La Fave** · 05-01-2012, 11:20 AM

To clarify the argument. Whether or not he intends to put the degree to work is irrelevant to the argument of whether or not getting the degree is an indication of high character. Bringing that up just muddied the waters of the debate.

My point is simple. Getting a degree or not getting a degree has nothing to do with character. I know lots of awful people who stuck it out to get a degree. I know lots of great people who left college early or didn't go at all. This isn't a matter of character/morals...this isn't about being a good person or a bad person...this is simply about preferences.

**sebastian91** · 05-01-2012, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by Ed La Fave

To clarify the argument. Whether or not he intends to put the degree to work is irrelevant to the argument of whether or not getting the degree is an indication of high character. Bringing that up just muddied the waters of the debate.

My point is simple. Getting a degree or not getting a degree has nothing to do with character. I know lots of awful people who stuck it out to get a degree. I know lots of great people who left college early or didn't go at all. This isn't a matter of character/morals...this isn't about being a good person or a bad person...this is simply about preferences.

Whatever, man. You're entitled to your opinion. The "preferences" that people act on tell us a lot about a person's character.

**UMFarArcher** · 05-01-2012, 05:24 PM

Ed, on this one, I hate it, but I think you've painted yourself in a corner.

Most folks who hire other folks, like to see that degree. At least in the past, the fact that you obtained a degree reflects on your character. It shows that you can finish something that may be somewhat tedious. It shows you can discipline yourself to obtain a specific, long-term goal, which is a virtue of character.

Luck's family may have had money, but apparently his dad was a lot like mine - it was HIS money. Luck shared a three-year-old honda while at school, and rode a raggedy-assed bike most of the time.

He says himself, he wanted to get the degree as his football future was an uncertainty. Not in getting in, but one can never account for injury, and of course, another hot shot coming in and taking your position.

You have resorted to attempting to separate virtuous behavior characteristics from being indicators of character. That's just not realistic.

A man is not who he is. Not what he says. A man is what he does - his character. And what he does is like a road map. You can see where he's been, the routes he's taken, and usually can discern with fair accuracy where he's going. As a tracker and a man-hunter, after following for a while and observing his habits - does he go around, onto or over obstacles, when coming to a tree cluster does he normally go around the right or left, how often does he stop, how carefully does he step, how fast does he walk, how heavy is his load he's packing, etc,. then I could usually determine where he was going and get ahead of him.

Anyone who looked at his backtrail could determine with fair confidence where he is headed. Because his backtrail was long and documented, and it pointed in one direction.

Luck may or may not practice architecture, but he knows he accomplished his goal of acquiring his degree, and therefore the uncertainties of professional football can be pursued without long term worries over his ability to obtain a profitable profession.

**Ed La Fave** · 05-01-2012, 06:06 PM

Yes, to get a good job it usually requires a degree. This is something I have never disputed.

As far as showing you can finish something that is true if you are just quiting for no good reason. But if you leave college early to be a 1st round pick that is understandable...I don't view those guys as quitters, I view them as guys taking the next step.

It is true that lucks football future is uncertain. Let's assume he left college early and his nfl career was over in three years...he would have more than enough money to finish his degree. So his fall back plan would be secure no matter what.

I am not sure why you think I am separating virtuous behavior from character...it is quite the opposite. I simply don't see what is virtuous about staying for your fourth year when u are a lock for the first round. On the other side I dont see what is immoral about leaving early for the first round.

Helping others before yourself shows character. Risking yourself for the common good shows character. Overcoming tremendous obstacles shows character. I simply don't think finishing your degree has anything to do with character.

**Cane Fan 4 Life** · 05-01-2012, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by Papaya Cane:98229

I had strong struggle seeing Sean Taylor and Santana Moss as Skins. As much I wanted to see the Skins get KILLED I still had some sympathy for those 2. I prayed that Sean Taylor would not go to the Skins on draft day. it KILLED me to see him on those ugly colors.

Probably could have showed a little respect by deciding on a different choice of words.