{"id":43552,"date":"2025-04-01T12:51:02","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T16:51:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/?p=43552"},"modified":"2025-04-01T12:51:02","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T16:51:02","slug":"ex-nfl-star-jj-watt-demands-ncaa-drop-charade-around-student-athletes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/2025\/04\/ex-nfl-star-jj-watt-demands-ncaa-drop-charade-around-student-athletes.html","title":{"rendered":"Ex-NFL Star JJ Watt Demands NCAA Drop ‘Charade’ Around Student-Athletes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Jeffrey Beall \/ Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Former NFL star J.J. Watt called out the NCAA on Monday for referring to collegiate athletes as students first.<\/p>\n

Watt, in a post on X, pointed to the money the organization makes, the advent of name, image and likeness (NIL), the transfer portal and the cross-country travel teams have to make.<\/p>\n

“At some point the NCAA needs to drop the \u2018student first, athlete second\u2019 charade,” the former Wisconsin Badgers star wrote. “Billions of dollars, NIL, transfer portal (free agency), traveling cross-country for midweek games\u2026<\/p>\n

“Education is not the main focus. Admit it and call it what it is. A business. Run it as such.”<\/p>\n

When one X user noticed that Watt\u2019s point seemed to only refer to the best players in the best programs, Watt agreed.<\/p>\n

\n

At some point the NCAA needs to drop the \u201cstudent first, athlete second\u201d charade.<\/p>\n

Billions of dollars, NIL, transfer portal (free agency), traveling cross-country for midweek games\u2026<\/p>\n

Education is not the main focus.
\nAdmit it and call it what it is.
\nA business.<\/p>\n

Run it as such.<\/p>\n

\u2014 JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n