Seeing Red: What’s the harm in college athletes selling autographs?

There’s been a lot of drama swirling around Johnny Manziel lately. If the Heisman Trophy winner isn’t getting kicked out of University of Texas parties, he’s taking heat from the NCAA about selling his autograph.
And with that, my internal battle with this issue is reignited.
As someone who is still and forever will be paying off my mass amounts of student loans, I can honestly say I would’ve done almost anything to have my college tuition taken care of. So when the debate arises about college athletes like Manziel getting paid for playing, I have no problem bitterly proclaiming that they already do. Most of them, especially at Division I level, have a free ride through school.
Seriously if they don’t realize how incrediable that is, I will happily give them some of my loans.
These kids are receiving a free education to some of the country’s top schools while playing the sport they love in front of a national audience. To make the pot even sweeter for a kid like Manziel, he wins the Heisman in his first season. No matter what he does from this point on, he is forever an important piece of college football history.
What else could you ask for?
Well, money apparently.
Imagine being in Johnny Football’s shoes. He’s one of thee most recognizable names in college sports these days, he’s won the sport’s highest honor and he’s still got three years left in school. Like any young adult, he wants some money to go along with all that jazz. But, at every turn the NCAA is there to wave its finger in his face and say ‘Not so fast, Mr. Manziel’.
But why not?
What does it matter to the NCAA or the school or anyone else if athletes like Manziel want to make a little money off their image? Who is it hurting? It is his image afterall.
College athletes can’t endorsements, don’t get paid to play and its not like they have time for a job outside of school to make a little extra dough. So what if they want to charge a couple bucks for an autograph? At least they’re not selling championship rings and awards in exchange for tattoos. (I’m looking at you, Ohio State.)
I’m not sure if there’s a wrong or right answer here and there’s a strong case for both sides. But If it was up to me, I’d say go ahead and let them sell their autographs. Endorsements are still a no-no and you still keep your scholarship, but your main job is to first and foremost finish your education — that’s what college is all about after all.
If someone wants to buy an autograph from a kid who could either be a huge success or never heard of again after college, that’s their choice. I don’t see much harm in signing your name for someone.
These kids are just that: kids. There’s much worse things they could be doing.