Fellow VFL’s

[goldvol]

They got tuition, housing,food, medical treatment and other things, they weren't robbed.

The Supreme Court, both liberal and conservative, unanimously disagree with you

 

[VolJarhead]

Socialist huh?
Weird how Kavanaugh is the one that wrote NIL, and said it would have gone further due to antitrust violations if it had been posed. And how the NCAA is currently paying out billions because of this socialist take in ongoing litigation. And how Tennessee and Virginia recently triumphed over the NCAA in court because of this socialist philosophy. Weird socialist court system we have here

I wouldn't go so far as to call it socialist, but you don't have to agree with every ruling the court has. If the court rules on something you disagree with, laws can be changed. Even the justices don't always agree. I would never point to the way a justice rules to claim my view unless I was attempting to support an argument in court.

 

[GAVol]

They got tuition, housing,food, medical treatment and other things, they weren't robbed.

So, if somebody put a cap on what you could earn, would you be ok with them arguing that it should’ve been fine because they gave you free food?

 

[Boca Vol]

The Supreme Court, both liberal and conservative, unanimously disagree with you

That was the NCAA saying they couldn't be compensated for NIL. The athletic scholarship is different.

It's still supposed to be different but NIL has blurred into "pay for play."

 

[Delmar]

It’s so laughable to think that , for example, Chuck Webb wouldn’t have maybe have gone to OSU closer to his hometown if they came to him after his freshman year and offered a half a million more with an immediate transfer. Or, maybe someone a Shawn Bryson who was playing fullback and could’ve gotten a lot more carries as a starter with a half a million dollars more. Let’s say Bama , Auburn or another team called Tee Martin and promised a starting job (and a lot of money)after the 96 season meaning he wouldn’t have to sit another year or maybe be recruited over. These are just examples, not saying these players would, but you’re kidding yourself if you think all the players of that time were just super loyal VFL’s and wouldn’t passed on the opportunities now available.

Peyton was about the only one on that list who might not have considered jumping ship. Besides the fact his family was well off and he didn’t need the money, everyone knew he was a can’t miss NFL prospect and the money was coming when he decided to leave. As I recall, he could have left for the bucks but came back for his last year.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

I was privileged to be at UT at same time as Eddie Brown, who gave up his front teeth blocking a kick.

OP, there's not a thing wrong with cherishing our best memories of our VFLs, and having high opinions of them.

And later in the game after the blocked kick, he either intercepted a pass or returned a punt for a TD. I am so old, I don't remember which.

 

[GAVol]

That was the NCAA saying they couldn't be compensated for NIL. The athletic scholarship is different.

It's still supposed to be different but NIL has blurred into "pay for play."

That’s a valid point, but they’re all in the same box. The schools ARE the NCAA and they were participating in an illegal business model. It’s astonishing to me that 20-30 years ago when the money got huge, the NCAA didn’t modify rules and establish some kind of trust for athletes to head all of this off.

 

[will-you-shut-up-man]

So you must be my age because I know those guys as well. I am good friends with one of the people you listed. They were thinking of transferring at one point. Nothing has ever been perfect in college athletics.

 

[Vol4life2]

So a star player at UT was treated and received the same benefits as a 4.0 student in Economics? Trust me, UT football players weren't hurting when I was there between '90-'94.

They just couldn’t transfer to any school a coach wouldn’t let them go to.

 

[Vol4life2]

They just couldn’t transfer to any school a coach wouldn’t let them go to.

Plus it’s not like the scholarship was a 4 year commitment by the University or coaching staff.

 

[Volnuck]

Are you also happy that those VFLs in the 90s were illegally robbed of pay for the product they put on the field while the university brought in hundreds of millions of dollars?

I don’t think “illegally robbed” is a correct term since they came here of their own free will and personal choice and played at Tennessee for a free education, books, housing,, etc. (plus incentives, lol)

 

[Orange.]

I was privileged to be at UT at same time as Eddie Brown, who gave up his front teeth blocking a kick.

OP, there's not a thing wrong with cherishing our best memories of our VFLs, and having high opinions of them.

And later in the game after the blocked kick, he either intercepted a pass or returned a punt for a TD. I am so old, I don't remember which.

Following in a long line of standout defensive backs for Tennessee, [Eddie Brown] had as many big plays against Kansas in 1973 as many players enjoy in an entire career.

He blocked a field goal in a play that resulted in damage to four teeth, but he came back to run an interception back 73 yards, had two long punt returns, recovered a fumble, and made the game-saving tackle on a two-point attempt in the 28-27 UT win in Memphis.

Some of that game’s highlights are at 7:15 here.

He became an All-Pro and Pro-Bowl player in the NFL and played in a Super Bowl.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

Tesla hourly employees get stock options…. Not quite Elons salary but maybe they can buy a burger when they are hungry.

I attended UT. Made friends with some athletes. I’ve see. The facilities, I’ve eaten the food. I can assure you none of our athletes are wanting for anything while on campus. They may not be getting stock options, but plenty of perks.

 

[gainesvol82]

No one was illegally robbed.

Seriously....nobody put a gun to their head to play and you're crazy if you don't think they were getting paid. It was nowhere near today's money but it wasn't chump change.

 

[volbound1700]

If NIL and social media was around the entire time there definitely would have been several guys jumping ship all across the country just like they are now. Money and fame has always changed people over the course of time, so why do you think it would be any different 30 years ago? Good for you to have attended during one of the glory days but it’s naive to think anything would have been done differently back then.

That and players tend to focus more on VFL and loyalty after they are done versus what they are experiencing at the time. I definitely see schools picking players away from us.

 

[Peradox1K]

You realize there are 5 times as many Vols on that 97 team that didn’t make the pros and work in other jobs. Even by your strange logic, you are happy they too weren’t compensated financially for their work? It would have been a significant chunk of money for those 20 year olds…

Have you heard of free scholarships?
If they were banking on the NFL and didn't pay attention in their classes, that's not the school's fault. They were compensated.