Last week on January 13th, the college football world got exactly what they wanted. They got to see the best team this college football season, (LSU) versus the best team of the past two seasons, (Clemson). The BCS National Championship game was a dream come true. It was a clash of the Titans as both teams entered the game with undefeated records. It was Dabo versus Coach O, Trevor Lawrence versus Joe Burrow, and strength on strength with Clemson’s vaunted defense going against LSU’s high powered offense.
Clemson drew first blood as quarterback Trevor Lawrence scored on a one-yard touchdown run. LSU answered as quarterback Joe Burrow threw a 52-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Clemson would score ten unanswered points to take a 17-7 lead. This was the most adversity the LSU Tigers faced all year. Joe Burrow and the Bayou Bengals maintained their composure and scored multiple times to take the lead. They would go on to take control of the championship game and win by a score of 42-25.
When time expired, the Tigers of LSU had reached college football supremacy. They were the new National Champions of college football. They dethroned the defending champs. Joe Burrow was a Heisman winner and National Champion. This was the first time anyone accomplished this feat since 2010 when Auburn quarterback Cam Newton did it. Through the course of the season, the Bayou Bengals defeated seven teams ranked in the Top 10 and completed what some experts are calling the greatest season in college football history. The historic run was culminated by the LSU Tigers winning their fourth National Championship.
The 2020 National Championship game had so many narratives. Despite all of the possible narratives the general public had knowledge of, one unexpected narrative dominated the headlines.
As the game clock ran out, LSU started to celebrate. Confetti dropped from the ceiling as handshakes and hugs were shared between LSU players and coaches. An unexpected item was shared as LSU alumnus Odell Beckham Jr. joined the party. He came to the party bearing gifts. Beckham Jr., was on live television when he appeared to be handing out wads of cash to junior receiver Justin Jefferson, and junior defensive back Jontre Kirklin. As the celebration moved from the field to the locker room, LSU got lit, literally and figuratively. Joe Burrow and a number of other LSU players smoked celebratory cigars in the locker room of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The dome is a non-smoking facility. As a security guard was in the locker room trying to restore order, Odell Beckham Jr., approached the security guard from behind and slapped him on the butt. A few days later an arrest warrant was issued for Odell Beckham Jr., for the charge of simple battery. Beckham Jr., got lucky as the arrest warrant would be rescinded.Some sports analysts accused the former LSU Tiger and current Cleveland Browns receiver of purposely taking attention away from the team in reference to Beckham Jr., handing out money on the field. His gesture is a violation of NCAA rules. Although it’s a rules violation, Beckham Jr’s’ gesture is unlikely to impact anyone’s eligibility due to the fact the guys who accepted the money are leaving. Whether it was directly or indirectly, Beckham Jr., successfully started an open conversation about student-athletes deserving to get paid.
Just imagine an LSU football player in August doing everything it takes to prepare for the season. During the course of the season, the football player has to balance his classes at the university and his football classwork of learning plays and studying film. Game after game you absorb physical and mental wear and tear. Then after all the hard work and dedication, you reached the promised land. You successfully go to and then win the National Championship. All the hard work you put in paid off. Now it’s time to celebrate, but wait a minute, you’re a student-athlete and if you’re lucky, you might have $20 in your pocket. On the other hand, the coaches and other members of the staff are awarded anywhere from several thousand to millions of dollars for a victory in the National Championship game.
The subject of college athletes getting paid has been an ongoing debate for many years. Some people are looking down at Odell Beckham Jr’s, antics, and some are applauding his antics in reference to the exchange of currency. Beckham Jr., showed a blatant disregard for the rules as he purposely handed out money to student-athletes on live television. He has knowledge of the sacrifices each player had to make to win the BCS National Championship game. The players generated a tremendous amount of money for the University, coaches, and staff members. The unfortunate part is the fact they didn’t make any monetary gains for themselves.
Odell Beckham Jr. helped bring an ongoing topic to the center stage. Hopefully, the NCAA uses this opportunity to develop a strategy, and finally do the right thing.
