While the careers of professional athletes may seem glamorous, the glamor is often short lived as their retirement begins much sooner than do most professions. The average retirement ages for almost all professional athletes, including the NFL, NBA, and MLB, are between 27 and 29. And oftentimes, these athletes are forced to retire because of their injuries. 

Five to six years is the average career span for these young men and women. Given how little time they get to make the most out of their career, it is unfair for the professional sports industry to require them to receive college education. Although none of the sports leagues explicitly states that college education, whether that be complete or partial, is required, their recruiting process implies that college enrollment is not an option but mandatory. For instance, the NFL requires that before a player must be a high school graduate for at least three years to be eligible for the draft. While the NFL does not bluntly state that college education is a must, it only makes sense for a player to attend college. Besides, college football is the only way for any players to have opportunities to be seen and considered for the draft. The NBA also requires players to be at least 19 years old during draft calendar year and at least one season has passed since graduation from high school. Again, this draft rule forces student-athletes to continue their education until they become eligible for the draft. 

It is understandable why the professional sports industry pushes for players’ college education. Since their career is too short-lived, they are forced to find alternative careers within a few years. And most jobs require a college degree. 

Nevertheless, requiring college education for eligibility to play professional sports means less time for players to have their careers and earn money. 

In Europe, anyone can play professionally, regardless of age, even if that means a player is a teenager. This allows athletes to build their professional careers earlier and longer than those who go to college.

It’s never too late to acquire a college degree after retirement, considering how young these athletes still are by the time of their retirement. College education is not helping young players.