Published: September 18, 2005 12:45 am         

Peterson should take advantage of education

By Bruce Campbell Commentary



Let's hope Adrian Peterson attacks his schoolwork as well as he does opposing defenses as the star running back for the Oklahoma Sooners.

Peterson sat out practice Monday and Tuesday as punishment for missing too many classes. Sooner coach Bob Stoops said one more missed class and Peterson will sit out a game.

This is not to condemn Peterson. This writer missed a couple of classes while attending OU. There were some Sooner players when I was there who would have made news for attending a class.

Peterson will make enough money from pro football he will have lifetime security. Most likely he will leave OU after his junior season. One can understand if he thinks he has it made without school.

But he's an argument for star athletes taking their education more seriously than the average athlete. He should have some business sense so in 10 or 15 years we won't be writing how he's broke from bad investments or having a corrupt business manager and he's not qualified to do anything but play football.

He will make a lot of money. I just hope he will know how to make it work for him.

The three superstars from my time at OU -- Lee Roy Selmon, Dewey Selmon and Joe Washington -- got their degrees and have been successful outside of football.

Pro football salaries aren't guaranteed. One knee injury can end a career.

Athletes should take advantage of the free education and what it can do for them. They never want to be in the position where they will need football more than football needs them.



Campbell is an Enid News -- Eagle sports writer.