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Subscribe to RSSOn Nov. 19, Yale University quarterback Patrick Witt faces a tough choice: He can lead Yale against arch rival Harvard University in New Haven, Conn., or he can interview for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship in Atlanta. NBC's Anne Thompson reports.
By Anne Thompson
NBC News
He runs a pro style offense for the Yale Bulldogs, but 22-year-old Patrick Witt is, in a real sense, an option quarterback. Or at least a quarterback with options any college senior would envy.
Not only does Witt have a full-time job offer from Boston Consulting Group, but National Football League scouts are closely watching his games. One scouting website even projects Witt, the most accurate passer in Yale University history, will be selected in the sixth or seventh round of the NFL draft.
But on Nov. 19, Witt faces a tough choice: He can lead Yale against arch rival Harvard University in New Haven, Conn., or he can interview for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship in his hometown of Atlanta.
On the one hand, the opportunity to be a Rhodes Scholar, Witt says, is tremendous. “And it is a difficult process. There are plenty of excellent candidates every year that aren’t selected, so that’s one part of it,” he said.
On the other, the game against Harvard would be Witt’s last college game. “And I’ve invested a lot of time. This is a sport I’ve been playing since I was a kid.”
Witt is not the first football player to face this dilemma. You might remember former Florida State University safety Myron Rolle, who faced a similar choice in 2008. Rolle, too, was a Rhodes finalist and had to interview for the scholarship in Birmingham, Ala. during the day, and try to make it for a crucial contest against Maryland in College Park, Md. He was able to do both because the Maryland game took place at night, and FSU had a private plane pick him up in Alabama. A police escort delivered Rolle to the game in Maryland. Rolle won the scholarship and FSU won the game.
The timing this year is not in Witt's favor. The kickoff for the 128th meeting between Harvard and Yale is set for noon on Nov. 19. The Rhodes interview could take all day - that same day. Even if Witt got the first interview at 8 a.m. Saturday, he could still be called back in the afternoon for a follow-up conversation. There have been offers of private planes, but with the possibility of a callback, they wouldn't help.
Witt is a history major with a 3.91 grade point average. "Patrick rocks," said Dr. John Merriman, history professor, who wrote a Rhodes recommendation letter for Witt. Merriman said Witt earned an A plus in one of his courses during football season.
"Patrick, he's the only guy I've known here that -- male or female -- that's really a great athlete and a great scholar," Merriman said.
Witt's college career started at the University of Nebraska, where he had a four-year athletic scholarship as a quarterback for the Cornhuskers. While the football was challenging, Witt felt frustrated in the classroom.
"I came [to Yale] as a finance major from Nebraska and completely changed my trajectory,” he said. “I became a history major, focused quite extensively on French history with Professor Merriman. It's those expansions of your horizons that I really sought in coming here and I've been able to do just that."
Yale does not offer athletic scholarships. Witt’s parents, Gene and Cathy, both commercial airline pilots, pay $55,000 a year for their son’s education.
Witt wants to study international relations at Oxford University in England, in preparation for a career in politics. "At the end of the day, the best advice I've been given is ‘this is your decision and you have to do what's right for you,’” he said.
The choice comes with no guarantees. If Witt opts for the Rhodes interview, he might not get the scholarship. If he opts for the game, Yale will be a decided underdog against a Harvard team that has not lost in the Ivy League this season.
"It's thrilling," Witt said, "but, again, it's a big dilemma."
Learn more about Patrick Witt on Monday, Nov. 7 at 6:30 ET on Nightly News with Brian Williams.
Leave a Comment:
Really? A Rhodes interview cannot be rescheduled? What a shame that this young man must be compelled to make this choice.
Really ? A non-pro sports contest that won't matter vs. a chance at a life-changing scholarship. I'm sure the interviewing committee from Oxford do not care that the Harvard-Yale game is scheduled for the same day. Of course, his parents can always pay for him to go to Oxford if he doesn't get the scholarship. ($220,000 for tuition at Yale and his parents pay it.)
Or he can go to the NFL for a few years and pay for it on his own
Who said life is fair....If he truly is smart then he will go for the smarts. BTW, who won the SuperBowl last year.....ummm, took too long to answer.
Hey, Vor. And the winner of last years Rhodes Scholar was.............wait for it...............take all the time you need.......
mickymac - was just saying "How soon we forget". But, you're right. gave me a good laugh. I liked the "wait for it".
Well, this is his career... LONG TERM, rest of his life career he's deciding about. I think Witt has a no brainer type decision, and that is to go to the interview for the scholarship. By his own admission it will help him with his long term career goal of politics. The game with Harvard, admittedly his last of his college career lasts for a couple hours, and a pro football contract lasts maybe 10 or so. in my mind, he could still go to the interview and try to get the Rhodes Scholarship. An NFL career could always be his back up plan if that doesn't work out.
given this is a life changing decision, the scholarship wins out, if you ask me. If he wins the scholarship, it would demonstrate without a shadow of a doubt, that his parents sacrifice of $220k was well worth the investment.
Good luck to him with whatever he decides.
The kid has invested 4 years of hard work and leadership into being the best he can be for himself and his team. When he joined the football team he made a commitment to the school, the coaches, and the team to be there and be counted on. I would hope the Rhodes Scholar people could look at their precious schedule and understand that maybe they should look at changing the time to accommodate not only this young man, but the school and team mates he represents. Yes, there is more to life than sports, but there is also more to life that pursuing individual awards and scholarships. I for one would cheer this young man if he were to say, "If I have to make a choice, I choose to represent my school and my team mates because I made a commitment to them and don't feel right in breaking it."
I don't see this about athletics vs academics. I see it as being about bigger things like loyalty.
I have a feeling the kid will work out fine either way.
If the scholarship doesnt work out, Im sure there are plenty of other fine Universities that will take him.
Not that my vote matters, but I say play the football game. Its likely his last big game the culmination of a life of playing football
If he doesn't jump on the interview, he isn't smart enough to deserve the scholarship. And the Rhodes scholar program is waaaaaaaaaaaay above a simple football game, for those wondering why they don't reschedule.
I personally wouldn't be involved in anything with a name like Cecil B. Rhodes attached to it. But hey, that's just me...
It is my understanding that the Rhodes Scholarship is for student athletes.. My question is: WHY would the interview be scheduled on the same day that almost every college has a scheduled football game ?? He should not have to make a choice of which to attend on Saturday. The interview committee should be able to hold the interview on another non football Saturday.
good luck with what ever he chooses...and hope he doesn't want a do-over:)
The Rhodes site for the USA states:
DISTRICT INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD THE WEEKEND BEFORE THE 2011 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, I.E., FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18 AND 19, 2011.
Why cannot he interview on Friday morning?
I tried to post the link, but this site wouldn't allow it. It can be found by googling Rhodes Scholarship and clicking the link to Regulations and application.
I agree totally with Ray English. The interview committee should be able tyo hold the interview on anoth non football Saturday--or any other non football day.
This is the most ridiculous article I've read in awhile. Let me state that I HATE football and think Oxford offers an unbeatable education, BUT come on! History major! Yeah, there's a big market for history teachers, they really make a ton of money, get loads of respect and have bright careers in politics. HA! What gets me, even more, is this idea of going into politics. Here's an idea, sonny, people with MONEY go into politics because politics don't pay squat. Football players make more than the president! And they have a heck of a lot more influence. And besides, what is this guy in his early 20's going to bring to the political table? What's his life experience? Who does he even represent?
Moronic kid with all the choices in the world, stop being stupid, play the game against easy to whip Harvard, get in the NFL, make some serious money, live for awhile, THEN run for politics. The government isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
And again, I HATE football, but JEEEZ!!!!! GET A BRAIN YOU YALE TWIT!!!!
I have a feeling that this will work itself out, such as the Rhodes Committee granting an exception. He would be stupid not to play the game. The Rhodes scholarship isn't above this game. I personally know two former Rhodes Scholars and they both agree that this kid's credentials in addition to his back story make him as much of a shoe-in as any candidate in any given year. As for his hopes of a career in politics, the publicity of this story alone has done more for his prospects in politics than a diploma from Oxford would give him. While it's an added benefit to be knowledgeable, one look at our political landscape will tell you that an elite education is no longer necessary to be successful in politics.
MovingOut, you're the twit.
Whitt interned at Boston Consulting Group last summer was already offered a full time position upon graduation. When you go to an elite school, it doesn't really matter what you major in. Whether it be English, history, or even art history. He's still better off than being an engineer or an econ major from a state school. And his 3.9 GPA is impressive, the 'A' most employers care about is between the 'Y' and 'L' in Yale.
Rhodes scholars are not just athletes. If part of what they are seeking is young people with a sense of responsibility and conscience, then making a reasonable accomodation to allow Witt to interview another day just doesn't seem that hard. If only allowing a set time for the interview is part of the test to see how much an applicant values the opportunity, then that's a shallow basis for evaluating superior students.
This is what the Rhodes program is all about. Selling out what you are in return some perceived future benefit. The truth is, Patrick Witt doesn't need the "Rhodes". The Rhodes program needs him. Anybody who thinks he is trading his future for the transient benefit of playing in football game has it upside down.
Dukie, I appreciate your assessment of my comments but you're like General Lee- your attack is so right but rooted in absurdity it has no way of winning. What's the most his 'consulting' (eyeroll, please) job will pay? What's the most he could make in the NFL? Dollar for dollar, NFL seems the better choice.
Next angle, resume. Where do resume's matter most? Competitive jobs, but we've already covered the fact that the potential for him to make more in the NFL would trump any reason to find a normal 'job'. Seriously, he could pop into the NFL making more than the head of Boston consulting within 3 years or less.
Next angle, career goals. Who has a better shot of gaining office, an unknown 'consultant' or a popular athelete? For crying out loud, even Jessie Ventura made governor and he was a crazy wrestler! Governor! J. the body Ventura!! Politics have a lot to do with exposure. He could not get anywhere near the level of exposure from consultant work that he might in the NFL.
Next angle, longevity. What is the certainty of the 'job market' and what is the certainty of a career in the NFL? If the economy turns bad and Boston Consulting can get brains for nothing from the Ivy League how safe is his job, Rhodes Scholar or not? Do they really think 'Rhodes Scholar' when they cut back on staff or do they think of seniority and the ability to buy cheap labor (new interns from Harvard, Princeton, Brown, etc.)?
I HATE football and love Oxford but I'm a realist. A choice such as yours would have kept Bill Gates at Harvard rather than pursuing a lucrative future in the computer industry.
This decision would seem like a no-brainer in favor of the interview UNLESS you are an athlete and competitor. Mr. Witt has competed successfully in athletics at high levels, and as an athlete myself, I have to belive that missing a game of this magnitude and uniqueness would just not be an option. Plus he has to think about his team mates that he would be letting down by not playing. One of my all time favorite movies was "The Last Yard" (original version with Burt Reynolds as the QB) because the QB chose to go for the win even though it meant a longer jail sentence. To me, this captures the essence of what competition and winning mean to most real athletes.
Well, if we're going to talk hypothetical situations: what if he DOES go to the NFL and, in one of his first games, he receives a career-ending injury? Let's face it, there's no guarantee of longevity in the NFL, any more than there is in any other job.
Not to mention that he is projected to be picked in the 6th or 7th round. There aren't millions of dollars at stake there...Tough decision, but I'd say that if you went to Yale in the first place, you most likely didn't go to play football as a first priority. I just hope that he stays true to himself and does what he feels is right.
Seriously, People! A Rhodes Scholarship! This opportunity is life changing. Granted, it would be wonderful for Yale to have a seasoned player. However, let's get real, two weeks after the Harvard/Yale game is blown over, the coaches are already thinking about the next upcoming season, and this opportunity will be long gone.
Football is not this young man's life choice... he want to attend Oxford University, in England and study international relations for a career in politics. The NFL and this Yale/Harvard game don't hold future dreams for this young man. Plus a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship will afford many political opportunities in the future that will benefit this young man and our country.
Finally, let's not forget his parents are working class people and have sacraficed much paying for thier son's expensive Yale education and subsequent educational opportunities. To throw away a Rhodes Scholarship interview opportunity would make his parents sacrifices pretty pointless....
This should be a no brainer for someone as smart as Witt. Sen Bill Bradly, Princeton graduate and NBA star, did both; pro ball success and major political success. Many times the Dems tried to woo him into becoming as a pres candidate. His greatest contributions to his state and his country were in the US Senate. Go for the scholarship interview Witt. I only hope, being that his aspirations are in politics, that Witt is a man of integrity like Sen Bradley. And to the idiot who said, "Patrick Witt doesn't need the "Rhodes". The Rhodes program needs him." Get a reality check. The Rhodes scholarship program was around long before Witt was born and will be around after he's gone. Your inflated ego and ignorance are glaring.
Why is it that the interview cannot be done the day before, Friday ... ??? Or Monday, after the game ... yes, education is highly important, but this is something he has worked hard for (as well as good grades) and should be allowed to play in the game ... Why is the interview scheduled for Saturday in the first place ...??? He deserves to play in the game, and he also deserves to do the Rhodes interview. The Rhodes People need to make it happen. Amen.
So many people in this country have a problem w/ rules (not that I'm not one of them). We all want others to make exceptions for us. Sometimes it just is what it is. Sacrifices and choices have to be made. It's a part of growing up. You can't eat your cake and have it too. I'm sure many people would love to have such great options. Good luck to you Witt.
I think something is wrong with the system. No possible Rhodes scholar should be forced to make this decision. Part of being a Rhodes scholar is excelling in multiple areas, not just academics; therefore, they should understand the importance of this game and his comittment to his team. They should show a little compation and change the date of his interview.
Ray English:
Wrong!
Mr. Rhodes’ Will contains four criteria by which prospective Rhodes Scholars are to be selected:
If these are indeed the criteria used for selecting the recipient of the Rhodes Scholarship, what a great story it would be should Witt choose to play the game and still receive the award. He has already accomplished number one with his outstanding grades. Number two clearly points toward playing the game. Number three: courage, devotion to duty, unselfishness? These are all qualities that would be exemplified by him playing for his team and not persuing individual goals ahead of team goals. As for number four, obviously he's the leader of his football team and I suppose we'll see what kind of character he has.
I think by playing in this game Witt would show he is worthy of this award more than if he shows up for the interview.
Sure this could be looked at, turned around, and spun to reflect other opinions. This is just mine.
On a side note, missing one college football game doesn't ruin his chances in the NFL.
@ Leprechaun1230 ,,, we don't need career politicians. That "career" path needs to be done away with via term limits or societies expectations. If that's all he'll use the scholarship for,, I say play the game.
To me it boils down to living your dream if it is football then live it. If your dream is to be programmed indoctrinated withe the communist teachings of a Rhodes scholarship then comrad live it.
Why can't the interview be move to a weekday. Saturdays in the Fall is and always will be College Football Day. Not very smart people these interviewers are.
Why should they care about obscure meaningless sports event in the U.S.
Eugene--clearly you are not American and do not understand that American football is a billion dollar industry. Both college football and the NFL are huge here in the states, just like European football (American soccer) is huge in Europe. Rhodes Scholars are not imbeciles and it is mind-blowing that they can't find a way to schedule these all important interviews on Sunday or a weekday. They're not being asked to part the Red Sea here fella, just that they ought to use some common sense, something with which we assume they have in the first place if they're Rhodes Scholars members.....
In my opinion, Witt ought to go to the Rhodes interview. It's an honor and a privilege to be asked. Furthermore, it sounds like he has his sights on a non-football career anyway, sooooo.....Besides, he can always "fall back" on football if necessary. Ha ha, it's usually the other way around. Patrick Witt will make out alright in any case.
What Eugene was saying was why should the scholarship committee care about this football game as the interviewing school is from England.
they should care...
The fact that they don't shows the arrogance that is endemic in the academic world and most of all in the upper echelons of English society.
This pedantic attitude of "our way or the highway" is just pathetic. If the Oxford folks were as smart as they would have us all believe then they would be seeking out the best by accommodating individual circumstances. If they can't handle that then they don't get our best.
Witt should play the game...if he doesn't he will regret it for the rest of his life.
I agree ... I understand the Rhode Scholarship interviewers have a schedule ... but part of their decision is based on outside activities and such of the candidate ... to move the interview to a more condusive time ... would seem to be a win-win.
its an OXFORD HA HA YALE , HARVARD I'M BETTER THAN U ! kinda thing
For once an incredible story. Maybe the last football game of your life or the education of a life time. Who knows he could very well play in the NFL for a few years, some players have said that they love the game more that life itself. On the other had an opportunity for an education for a life time. I do love football but I hope he takes the test. If he does, good luck to his football team they will understand.
Which ever he does I hope he ends up doing the best thing for himself he deserves it.
I am not particularly a fan of football but this seems like a no brainer. In this age of technology, would you not think that skype might be a possibility? How about Oxford considering the commitment and hard work of this young man, excelling in both academics and athletics and giving him a break. Why should he even have to choose? When I was a teacher, there would kids who had to choose between going to state in track or attending their own graduation ceremony. One would think there would be a way to accommodate the situation so he could do both. How do we contact the Rhodes Scholar interviewers?
Patrick Witt must be praised for his unparalleled maturity and stellar accomplishments. It's unconscionable to have placed such a dilemma before him. The Rhodes Scholarship Committee has time to reconsider its own convenience and schedule the Witt interview at a non-conflicting time. It is grossly unfair to deprive this gifted scholar athlete of either of these momentous occasions.
Eugene, you write like a Eugene. I really feel sorry for you if that's your real name. What a saddle to carry through life.
Look, football is a retarded sport for retarded people BUT what is the real point of a Rhodes scholarship? Even more, what did the scholarship originate from? It's namesake was a profiteer by any stretch and his political relationship with the Monarchy was the sort that illuminates where power really lies. Take Baron Rothschild as another example. Both men were awarded titles because of the financial power they brought to the country. If they lived today they might be capitalists, but if given the opportunity, they would certainly take the more lucrative prospect, which can later be traded for political power. Point being, Cecil Rhodes would call this young man a complete fool for considering politics over something so profitable and loaded with influence. I honestly believe that.
Or look at it this way, which made more sense for Bill Gates: finishing the Harvard degree or pursuing a career in industry? Yeah, a Harvard degree has some clout, as does a Rhodes scholarship but so did the computer field in the 70's and football today.
That you don't see that makes you a Eugene.
MovingOut, why let your anger and pet-peeves color every single syllable that you write? Just stick to the question, and leave your hatred of football and disdain for other participants in this discussion at the door.
MovingOut, why do you feel the need to insult people? And while you claim to "hate football", you sure seem adamant on having this young-man follow a dream that is very unlikely to turn out the way that he wants it to. It is true that you can say that about anything, professional sports is a very finicky institution, and those that they claim to love one day will find them selves kicked to the curb the next. Football is especially dangerous, as people have said before, he could receive a career ending injury his very first game.
Incidentally, I believe that this blows your "Cecil Rhodes would call this young man a complete fool for considering politics over something so profitable and loaded with influence." out of the water:
"Mr. Rhodes hoped that his plan of bringing able students from throughout the English-speaking world and beyond to study at Oxford University would aid in the promotion of international understanding and peace."
I know of very, very few football players that can claim to have promoted that, and while I seriously dislike politicians, more can.
How about we all stop out mindless dithering (yes, I included myself in this) and let the young man decide for himself. He's going to do that anyway.
Surprisingly, the world does not actually revolve around college football.
"Surprisingly, the world does not actually revolve around college football."
Nor being a Rhodes Scholar
Yes, that's why he has a choice to make. The immediate suggestion of the initial posters was, of course, that the interview should be scheduled because god forbid we interfere with college football. I was suggesting that college football schedules would not be very important to the Rhodes sholarships selection committee. It sounds fairly certain from the article that this guy does not see his ultimate career in professional football but rather politics. It would seem then that his choice should be fairly simple.
Sadly...
True, except for on Saturdays!
Sorry P.C. its not a perfect world! (Except on Saturday's, micky?)
You spectators need to get a lfe.
Don't know about you folks, but I'd prefer to know one of my residents or colleagues is a team player, someone who can sacrifice personally for the good of the group. I'd say by that measure you'd want him to play the game, as 100 other kids and coaches and thousands of students and alumni are counting on him. I say this as a pointy-headed academic physician, and the father of a Ivy League football player
In many ways, being named a Rhodes Scholar is a selfish personal pursuit, while giving up the chance to be one for the sake of your school, your coaches, and your team mates could be seen as quite unselfish. It's not about the world revolving around football. It's about being there for your friends and teammates that you've worked with and gone to hell and back with for the past four years.
My son just graduated with a very high GPA (engineering) and was also captain of his college football team, and if he had this dilemma and told me he was passing up the Rhodes interview because he felt he owed it to his teammates, I would tell him how proud I am of him for putting the team ahead of himself and his own ambitions. Life is full of choices. Putting football ahead of academics sounds really bad, but somehow putting your teammates ahead of your own personal pursuits doesn't.
Bruce---You would encourage your son to fiddle with his FUTURE, all for the sake of ONE football game?? That is just sad. If anything, I think his teammates should support HIM and encourage him to go on that coveted Rhodes Scholar interview. Where's their loyalty to their teammate who's been there for them?? Do you not get how prestigious getting a Rhodes Scholarship is? I'm flabbergasted that anyone would expect their teammate to pass up an incredible opportunity, not to mention honor, for one flippin' game. Send in the friggin' back-up quarterback and let them prove themselves worthy of being a Yale football team without their normal QB. It's not like Witt is ditching them mid-season, never to return, without a viable back-up QB at the ready. IT'S ONE BLASTED FOOTBALL GAME vs. the honor of a Rhodes Scholar interview. Yes, it's against Harvard, their rival but still, it's one damn game. Clearly they have zero faith in their back-up QB and as such, his teammates/coaches are the selfish ones if they can't understand why Witt would want to do the interview.
It may shock you to hear it, but there may be some people who would forego a moment of personal glory because of a commitment he/she made to a bunch of teammates. No, none of the teammates would probably expect him to stick with them for the game, but they would certainly have tremendous respect for him if he did. I would support my son either way, but I certainly would not think he was crazy if he said, "Dad, I really think I need to be there for my teammates." I would be just as proud of him as if he were voted a Rhodes Scholar.
Its not personal glory it is a chance to better his future and to be able to do something most people never get a chance to do. Like the previous poster stated, where is the team's support for the player? They should recognize this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
candlegal, tmstz. YOU people are the problem in this world. Just by your selfish blathering about a personal accomplishment. His dilema is something you type of people would never understand, HE GAVE HIS WORD. Too often in this world people more than not go back on their word when it suits them. That is not intergrity, having that as a tough decision is.
zkysr. I'm glad you clarified that. You are right life doesn't revolve around college football, unless its football season! I would go for the interview anyway if I were him. The only thing better than football is being intelligent. No one can take that from you. :-)
Bruce-308647: I dare say his teammates (being Yale students and all) would jump at a Rhodes Scholarship chance. And I would slap the taste out of his mouth if he chose the game. Harvard/Yale rarely decides #1 in the country, and I doubt another game affects his draft status.
Doubt the ethics of personal achievement vs school/team loyalty even enters the equation for this young man. Bottom line is Yale lost to Brown last weekend; they're unlikely to prevail over Harvard so no glory there. Best possibility for him is to go for the Rhodes.
Again, it's not about winning or losing. Keeping one's word and being loyal is a lost character trait in America today. And yes, I agree that being intelligent is more important than being a good athlete. But I don't think this young man will be any more or less intelligent because some committee deems him so. Either way, this kid is gonna be fine. In the end, I suspect the Rhodes committee will succumb to the negative press and reschedule the interview.
@Bruce,
I get you when these others don't. It has nothing to do with football or either of the choices for that matter. The choice is between doing something for others or yourself. The kid has a tough choice but it is his choice. I will respect either choice he makes and why are we worried about it anyway. Why have I spent 10 minutes of my life reading all of this. I guess I just like to assure myself that I think about things more rationally than some.
The interview should be rescheduled. He should not haver to make this difficult choice.
Welcome to adulthood. Life is full of difficult choices.
Joemike,
I wonder how important leadership, and commitment to responsibilities or other prior commitments is to the selection committee?
Personally, having Yale on my diploma would make me fairly immune to the lure of a Rhodes Scholarship as would most any Ivy League degree. Further, being able to put "QB" on his resume is something else that employers seem to fawn over (and of course, even that is superfluous here because he has a great job already lined up).
I think either decision is a win-win for this young man, and a loss for whichever group he chooses against.
John,
He can already put QB on his resume. The choice is about missing one game. Also, I could be wrong but don't you have to apply for a Rhodes scholarship? If he applied he must have thought it had some value. And trust me, as a consultant for BCG he will have to make lots of hard choices throughout his whole career, most of them having to do with choosing work over those prior commitments to family and such...
I think you're right though, looks like he's stuck making a choice between two pretty sweet alternatives.
Pussy
Play the game, land a 6-7 year career as a backup QB for the Browns, open a consulting firm in your hometown to tread water until your parents die and leave you their estate. We've already got enough uppity politicians.
Estate? His parents are airline pilots.
Perhaps I am completely naive about all things football but is there anyway the football game could be postposed until evening to allow Witte to do what Rolle did?
60,000 people at the game. TV broadcasts, teams traveling. The world does not stop for 1 person
Only one problem with that proposal. Last I knew the Yale Bowl didn't have lights. There's a reason all the Ivy League games are played during the day.
Actually, assuming the article is correct, then I don't think there is much of a decision to be made. The guy wants to go to Oxford to study international relations, not play in the NFL. So, the question is will he go on a Rhodes Scholarship or will his folks foot the bill?
It will be interesting to see what he decides.
Sorry but interviewing for the Rhodes Scholar trumps playing in a college football game. The world does not revolve around being a Rhodes Scholar or a football game so neither should have to be rescheduled. He has to decide which is the priority. As a adult that wants to someday go into politics, you would think the decision would be easy as playing in the final game of your final season won't carry as much weight as being a Rhodes Scholar but then again, America does seem to value football more than actual education. Being that I doubt many football players even interview for the Rhodes Scholar I tend to believe, with it being a all day thing, Saturday is the best day for it and if you play football, you may want to decide where your priorities lies. So the interviewers are actually pretty smart when it comes to scheduling as they don't want ot interfere with a student going to class during the week but God forbid a student have to miss a football game because we all know that is why they go to college.
You were obviously never an athlete...particularly never a highly competitive one. Try putting in years of training and preparations, day-in/day out, working your butt off more than almost everyone else on the planet...and then have to be faced with not competing in the biggest single game of your life?
Yes Stu, most of us weren't. Somehow though we manage to go on with our poor pathetic lives anyway. How will we survive without those memories of glory? Some of us though were too busy working our butts off studying and working to help support our families during high school and college and didn't really have the time to devote to athletics.
Being an accomplished responsible student, I have no doubt that he will miss that game.
Being judged by a bunch of stuck up, arrogant, egotistical English A-holes doesn't sound too appealing to me. Play the game. Then go make millions. If your goal is really to become a politician, then you have no morals, ethics or pride and would only waste this "once in a lifetime honor" of interviewing for the Rhodes Scholarship.These guys across the pond can't be but so smart, they can't even figure out refrigeration for cold drinks.
For someone with such a bright future, why waste it on being a professional lying scumbag politician? He should aspire to be great, to really want change the world...for the better.
I was an athlete in high school, and I had to miss a volleyball match for my confirmation. I wasn't stupid, I knew that getting confirmed was important (at least to my family), and that yes, it was only one game out of a 16 game season, but that didn't make things any easier for me. I was dissappointed that I couldn't be there, and I felt like I let my team down (for the record, we got slaughtered that game, we were playing the best school in the state). Being an athlete is about so much more than winning and personal accomplishments. It's about being on a team, it's about being there for your teammates no matter what, and of course, it's about winning WITH your teammates. An athletic team is like a family. You may not get along with every single person on the team at every moment, there may be tension in the locker room, but above all, you know you'd be there if they needed you. If he plays the game, I guarantee he'll find another way to Oxford. He seems like the type who won't give up. Ultimately, it's his call though, and he'll have to live with the consequencees no matter what.
Consequences? What consequences? Grant you, if he doesn't play, he's letting his team down...but they have to be able to do with substitutes upon occassion. His life future is more important than that team's "future."
i suspect that if he transferred from Nebraska to Yale, it wasn't for the football. He chose the academic challenge once, I am thinking he'll do it again.
No brainer - Go to the interview. Yale may lose the game, he may or may not get the scholarship, and yet he may get to play in the NFL. No matter what this kid does, it's a win-win for him. Many more doors will open for this youg man as a Rhodes Scholar.
Actually, in real life people are forced to make choices like this everyday. Not necessarily between a game against your arch rival and a Rhodes Scholarship, but life impacting decisions nonetheless. Neither the interview nor the game should be moved. Mr Witt should make his decision and stand by it.
Personally, I hope he chooses the Rhodes interview.
For Heaven's sake take the interview.
If this guy doesn't have the sense to skip
a football game to interview for a Rhodes
Scholarship he doesn't deserve the RS
anyway.
Simple, the Rhodes interview wins. Think of it as giving your back-ups a moment to shine.
Joemike,
I wonder how important leadership, and commitment to responsibilities or other prior commitments is to the selection committee?
Personally, having Yale on my diploma would make me fairly immune to the lure of a Rhodes Scholarship as would most any Ivy League degree. Further, being able to put "QB" on his resume is something else that employers seem to fawn over (and of course, even that is superfluous here because he has a great job already lined up).
I think either decision is a win-win for this young man, and a loss for whichever group he chooses against.
Congratulations dude, you already look 40.
Easy. Commitment to team trumps anything else. Get the school president to get him another date for the interview. Life's lessons.
donklos, Team commitment is a two way street. If his team is committed to him don't you think they would tell him to do whatever he thinks is right for his future?
donklos....you don't get it...for the Rhodes Scholarship, there aren't a lot of days...there is only one day...
A tough decision to be sure, but I have not seen any comments on how his decision affects others. Not that I'm saying he should make his decision for the sole purpose of benefiting others, but choosing the interview would mean letting the rest of his team down. Yes it is just one football game, but if his true desire is politics it would be nice to see him make a decision that is in the best interest of the masses rather than just his own best interest.
Most people in politics think of themselves first. I hope he decides not ot go into politics. He seems way to smart for that. :0
If I'm the coach of Yale, and I have an ounce of decency and truly care about my student athletes, I sit this kid down and tell him point blank: "The choice is yours and I support you completely whatever you choose - but if you ask me, I say take the interview, son, take the interview and make me proud."
heck ya man!!!! u got soul brotha!!!!
Play in the Harvard game .. that is special and will be talked about the rest of his life. Especially IF he wins the game.
Rhodes Scholar interveiws are a dime a dozen, as are the scholars.
Fool.
Al Bundy comes to mind..............
I liked this guy right up until he said he was going back to school to prepare for a career in politics. Another Ivy League Politician. Awesome.
I think what a LOT of people on here miss is the fact that he, like other elite level athletes, have trained hard every day for years, to get to this point. When you work your butt off, day in and day out, being asked to consider not competing in the biggest game in your life is a HUGE ask! And BTW....the TV rights, tickets, concessions, etc, for this game are still probably worth a few million $$'s.
Yes Stu, that's why the story made the national news. We get it.