In the wake of the ongoing Johnny Manziel investigation, NFL players are beginning to speak out about the unfairness of the NCAA. Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson became the latest to say college athletes should be able to earn money, SI.com reports.
Peterson led the Oklahoma Sooners from 2004 through 2006, rushing for 4,243 yards and 42 touchdowns. The reigning NFL MVP believes college athletes, like Manziel, deserve to make money because of how much the schools profit from them
"The universities are making a lot of money off of student-athletes in general," Peterson told FOXSports.com (via SI). "So, yeah, he should be able to make money. I think so. They make millions off of these college athletes and they made millions off of the guys I played with as well. Yeah, he should be getting paid."
Peterson echoed the opinion of Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant.
"[Manziel] should be able to sign as many autographs and make as much money as he wants because it's his name," Bryant said on Wednesday, via SI. "I feel like he's the one who created it. He should be able to do [with it] whatever he feels as long as it's legal, and I don't think there's anything illegal about signing a picture of yourself and making money off it. Shoot, the NCAA is making money off of it when they're selling those No. 2 shirts. Why can't he make a little bit of money off of it?"
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, who once coached Peterson, offered a different perspective.
"You know what school would cost here for non-state guy? Over $200,000 for room, board and everything else," Stoops told Sporting News. "That's a lot of money. Ask the kids who have to pay it back over 10-15 years with student loans. You get room and board, and we'll give you the best nutritionist, the best strength coach to develop you, the best tutors to help you academically, and coaches to teach you and help you develop.
"How much do you think it would cost to hire a personal trainer and tutor for 4-5 years?"
Manziel is actively being investigated by the NCAA for allegedly accepting thousands of dollars for signing autographs. If the NCAA finds the Aggies quarterback took money for his autographs, his college eligibility could be at risk.
