What does he mean by too many distractions? He goes on about football as if it is the only offender that draws those away from learning, but does not apply that to any other extracurricular activities. His arguments could be applied to the Greek system. I set up an interview with a gentleman who graduated with a mechanical engineering and worked full time in a four year time frame. He had to pay his way through school. How in the world did he find the time? He set his priorities. Also, his comment about the student-athlete not integrating with the rest of the students is plain silly. I was an engineering student. I certainly didn't integrate with the art majors. He is all over the map with his logic.
As too student-athletes, I do agree with you about them in some instances getting preferential treatment and not earning their strips. I don't have an answer for that one, but that is an issue that goes beyond football. In our culture we put a high value on those that excel in sports and entertainment. However, at the risk of being banned myself, I have seen the Greeks get preferential treatment, too. In neither case do I think they should be banned. However, a breach of ethics should never happen. That's where I feel he should have been making his point in the first place.
He may have a valid point, but he does not make his case about banning football. He may be smart, but I found it to be an idiotic rant. I wished I could get paid to do that.