Ex-Marine Steven Rhodes appeals NCAA ruling about ineligibility

In a perfect world a man who fights for his country for five years would be able to come home and pursue a career in collegiate football. Unfortunately for us we do not live in a perfect world and the NCAA is very, very far from perfect.

Meet Stephen Rhodes a 24-year old former Marine with a wife and two kids who just spent the last 5-years of his life defending his country. Rhodes has now enrolled himself in Middle Tennessee State and has walked on to the football team. Due to an NCAA bylaw Rhodes must sit out a year because while he was in service he played in a military only football league. The NCAA considers the military only league that met once every 6-weeks a organized league because they gave out uniforms, and had officials that kept scores.

Rick Stockstill who is the head coach at Middle Tennessee State had this to say Rhodes’ eligibility;

“I can understand the rule, but when you look at it, he’s a guy that spent five years of his life defending our country. His superiors didn’t order but strongly encouraged him to play on the football team to improve troop morale. I think we’re doing a disservice to this kid for what he’s done for us. He’s married and has two kids. He’s not even on scholarship. He only wants to follow his dream of playing college football and starting on his degree.”

Hopefully the NCAA decides to correct this ludicrous rule and allows Mr. Rhodes to fulfill his dream.

– John McAuliffe (@John_Mac310)

Source – ESPN