Education is the most powerful weapon that one can use to change the world. This quote by Nelson Mandela holds great prominence even in the modern era, even for NFL athletes who earn millions throughout their playing careers. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who just signed a massive $255 Million extension deal, recently set a new example by earning his master’s degree. The news arrived on Saturday, when he received his honors from the University of Oklahoma in front of a large audience. Moreover, to the delight of innumerable NFL fans, even Bucs’ coach Todd Bowles decided to go the Hurts way and recently received his degree at 59 years of age.
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The Buccaneers’ head coach, Todd Bowles, became the oldest member of the class of 2023 to earn a college degree. He walked across the grand stage of Mount St. Mary’s University with his degree certificate and fulfilled the long-time wish of his deceased mom. A determined son indeed, who never wants to stop in his life.
Jalen Hurts and Todd Bowles make the entire NFL fraternity proud
As they say, it’s never too late. When you stop learning, you become old. And it’s quite essential for an individual to earn a college degree because there is a long journey left to explore beyond the world of football. Hurts, who understands this notion, decided to complete his master’s degree even after entering the NFL arena.
The convocation ceremony was held on Saturday at the University of Oklahoma. “I Know Momma Proud Of This One..Master of Human Relations,” the quarterback wrote on his Instagram handle, sharing a picture alongside the VP of the college. He was deeply inspired by his mom, who happens to be a special education teacher. She completed her master’s while working and raising her kids.
Following a similar path after getting inspiration from a similar source, 59-year-old Todd Bowles also recently attained his degree. Just like in Hurts’ case, it was Todd’s mother, who wanted her son to earn a college degree. After suffering from cancer, she unfortunately died in 2009. Bowles left Temple University in 1986 and played for eight seasons in the NFL.
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Later, Todd embarked upon the coaching journey and continued to sail in the Buccaneers’ ship. Despite a tight schedule, the veteran managed to reserve some time for college and eventually got his degree after 37 years.
“This is an amazing, amazing thing for me to be in a class with you. I’m more nervous now than I ever was speaking in a locker room at halftime,” Bowles said in his speech, per ESPN. Taking it as an opportunity to describe his success, the head coach lectured his peers to grab the future and aim towards their goals.
Bankruptcy stories of former NFL athletes depict why Bowles & Hurts finished their degrees
Pro football stars earn millions. An athlete who plays for almost 10 years makes enough live a healthy and happy life, but poor money management and a lack of education become major factors behind their failures. While some manage to get out of the hole, some end up facing dire consequences.
Defensive lineman Warren Sapp, who played for 12 years in the NFL. Vince Young, John Elway, Bernie Kosar, and Luther Ellis are a few of many NFL athletes who eventually ended up filing for bankruptcy in the later stages of their lives. It’s quite unfortunate to see them suffer, but that’s the harsh reality behind all the razzmatazz.
Hopefully, the upcoming generation will learn from the mistakes these stars made. This is precisely why NFL fans need to celebrate what Hurts and Bowles did because one must always keep in mind that there is a life after football as well.
