NIL: Next In Line Sports

 Hello to all my readers, I wanted to thank you for your support throughout this semester. I have enjoyed writing for you all about the changes in collegiate athletics. NIL deals, I fear have changed the landscape of college athletics forever. College students once striving for a free academic experience now want for millions of dollars. College athletics have turned into a semi-professional league. While I could speak about this for what seems like an eternity, it is not longer my intention to ramble. Thank you again to all who read my comments. I hope you enjoyed my opinions. 

  On September 1 st , 2016, then San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, playing against the San Diego Chargers sat down during the nation anthem. Kaepernick stated that this move was a spotlighted plea for peace, in the wake of African American citizens being brutalized by the police.     Today, social change through sports is incredibly common and is sometimes heralded as a necessary action in order to inspire real change. In actuality protesting is extremely divisive and separates the general public into two trains of thought, those who support it and those who do not.    The backlash to Kaepernick’s actions were monumental. Many of the initial reactions, including my own, were filled with disgust believing that Kaepernick knelt because of his disdain against the country. Fans, owners and even then, President, Donald Trump publicly condemned his actions and suggested that players who disgrace the flag should be fired and ousted from the league. Tho...