A Student's Dilemma

I think a number of the people commenting here might not realize what the Rhodes Scholarship actually is. It's not money for college; it's the opportunity for post-graduate study at the University of Oxford. It's basically a golden ticket - an entree to whatever path you want to follow in your life.

That said, I understand why he'd choose to play in the game. He can apply another year, and sadly, depending on what he might achieve in professional sports, he might be better compensated there than post-Rhodes.

There is a lot more to this story. Living in the New Haven area, I know that this is the biggest game each year for both of these schools. And I agree - I think, when looking for jobs, a Rhodes Scholarship is great, but what employer is not gonna know this kid as the one who gave up the scholarship one year to keep his commitment to his team. I'd almost rather hire someone who is a team player than book smart...

Also, he is unable to fly down in the morning for the interview because they are required to stick around in case there is a follow-up interview.

And, as many have mentioned, it can reapply next year.

To be honest, I am not sure anyone goes to Yale to play football thinking they have a great shot to make the NFL. There are dozens of other schools where football/sports is placed much higher than education. Connecticut's already got one of those schools (UCONN).

Definitely a poor, but predictable decision. How many excellent college players have gone on to the pros, to find that in that world they don't quite have the edge required to be one of the forever champions? A Rhodes scholarship follows one the rest of their life, pulling their CV directly to the top of the pile. A Rhodes scholar can truly rise to the top. It would be interesting to know--in thirty years--how often this young man thought about this decision with regret. Hopefully, not at all.

Ok, I'm not normally a commenter but I need to join the ranks to defend the decision this man made which in my opinion was the only one he could make in this situation.
A: He was not simply choosing a sport over education, he was choosing a team full of people that relied on him and that he'd been spending hours of his life with every week to get to that championship. Anyone who'd ever played a competitive team sport will tell you that isn't a decision, your team is your family (I play varsity rugby, I know how he feels)
B: As multiple people have stated it's not as though a man of his intelligence and skill isn't going to win scholarships, and he can simply re-apply for Rhodes next year.
He chose giving up one (but not the only one he'll ever have) chance at the Rhodes scholarship to not let down his teammates on a route that will lead him to a career that would make him famous and potentially rich. As long as he doesn't drop out of Yale to play football as a pro I don't see how he's shunned or dropped his education for sport
GOOD JOB WITT, anyone who's made a tough decision between their own good and that of their friends or team mates respects your decision.

When I read this, I figured he'd come out a winner no matter which he chose.