Job Ball

Clearly now are the fundamental differences between NCCA Football and the NFL. Its not about the teams, the fans, or the organizations. Its the career of each and every employee, or player if you prefer.

About two decades ago, a kid had to watch his favorite NFL team lose 4 Super Bowls. That is a disaster for a young flag-football QB, and no old timer's inspirational quote is going to convince him otherwise. He left NFL at the end of that 4th loss to focus on other means of entertainment.
NCCA Football was always a huge conversation with his family and friends, so eventually he was forced into following the biggest school in his state. As grown man, he goes through college ball withdraws in the off season.

Coming back to the NFL was provoked by a couple of his favorite players that got drafted out of the college to play in the pros, even before they graduated. But once they were drafted, their intensity changed shape. They went from killing themselves for the entire game, to striking in bursts.

So like the rest of the workforce, a player fights through college to get an "in" in the industry of his choosing, and won't leave school till that happens. Once he's in, he does only what it takes to keep his job and his health, so he can leave work and enjoy his income. If he makes the highlights, he will get praise. If not, no sweat - he'll get 'em next time.

I'm watching every Sunday for the random fireworks as the weekend workers make just enough magic happen, while the fans are the creators of any unity that exists in the sport. The city begs for that W. I Watched the Jets vs. Cowboys and regardless of how ironic the idea of the New York Jets playing on 9/11 was, I saw a city light up and scream their faces off for the W.

Very jealous, I was.