Considering the NFL Draft is happening next week, I thought I'd delve into the impact the media, both independent and mainstream, has on the draft. I believe the most interesting part of the draft is the time period between the National Championship and the actual day of the draft. The period starts in the beginning of January and runs through the end of April. Keep in mind, during this time no players are actually playing in games or showcasing their in-game talent. They are put through a series of tests, both physical and mental. The way these tests are interpreted by the media can cost these young men, ages 20-22, millions of dollars.
Most everyone is familiar with the Manti Te'o "catfish" scandal. This happened a few weeks after the national championship game, which Te'o played poorly in. His poor performance in the national championship is a deserving reason for his draft stock to drop. The part which the media so grossly dramatized was the impact of the catfish scandal had on Te'o's draft stock. They thought that because he was fooled into dating a woman that didn't exist, he would have poor judgement on the football field, as if the two are so closely related.
In this case, I believe the media has too much impact. The agenda of one journalist, independent or mainstream could alter the life of a young man forever. It's unfortunate what some people feel is necessary to get "even" with athletes who may have snubbed them for an interview or played for an opposing team the reporter did not care for.
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