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re: Why are idiots better football players?

Posted on 8/1/24 at 10:03 pm to
Posted by ChapelHillSooner
Chapel Hill
Member since Dec 2020
854 posts
Posted on 8/1/24 at 10:03 pm to
Football players are not less intelligent than the population at large. They are just representative of the population. There are plenty of very smart football players and lots of those with average and below average intelligence. If anything, there is minimal level of intelligence required to play the game - some positions require more than others.

College football players are not as bright on average as a normal college student simply because the former is selected based on athletic skills and then latter is selected on academic skills. For example, a guy in the lower 40th percentile isn’t likely to attend college. Most likely that person has no interest in it even if a college would accept him. However, if he is really good at football, it is very likely he will give college a shot.

Schools with very high entrance requirements are generally less successful because their pool of potential players is far smaller. Finally the ivies don’t give athletic scholarships (though I am sure that when they dole out scholarship money the athletic achievements are taken into consideration).
This post was edited on 8/1/24 at 10:27 pm
Posted by ChapelHillSooner
Chapel Hill
Member since Dec 2020
854 posts
Posted on 8/1/24 at 10:16 pm to
quote:

Why don't the Ivy Leagues produce NFL talent at a level with everyone else? That was kind of the point of the thread; is that difficult to understand?


Several reasons:

1. They have to recruit from a smaller pool than others. I imagine it is a lot easier to get into Harvard if the head coach wants you, but you probably still need to be in to 5-10% (guess). That would mean 90% of the potential recruits are off the board.

2. This has a negative feedback effect as playing with and against less talented players is less attractive to outstanding players who meet the entrance requirements. (Some of course will choose Ivies because of the educational opportunities.)

3. Ivies made a conscious decision 60-70 years ago to deemphasize athletics. They stopped giving athletic scholarships.


Because of #3, it might make more sense to compare Stanford to other school. They have near Ivy acceptance requirements but emphasize sports.
Posted by 49 to nada
In aggy and gooner heads, rent free
Member since Sep 2023
3439 posts
Posted on 8/1/24 at 10:48 pm to
So the Rant is full of great football players? Time to start a semi-pro team.
Posted by captdalton
Member since Feb 2021
11647 posts
Posted on 8/2/24 at 12:10 am to
quote:

Reuben Foster matriculated at Bama lol.


That was but for a few short years. But his Auburn tattoo will be for life.
Posted by TouchdownTony
Central Alabama
Member since Apr 2016
10204 posts
Posted on 8/2/24 at 3:53 am to
“Give me the average ACT score of the football team. I bet it’s below 21. In general football players are idiots that don’t belong in college.”

Exactly, knew a guy that was a damn good player in college. He couldn’t tell me the difference in want and won’t. Seriously.
How the hell he graduated high school much less stayed eligible in college is a mystery. He basically couldn’t read or write. But he would hit you like a truck.
Posted by bamameister
Right here, right now
Member since May 2016
15839 posts
Posted on 8/2/24 at 4:33 am to
Here we go. This is the part where we get knowledge and thinking ability all mixed up. I personally know a lot of so-called "smart" people who make very bad decisions when it comes to family and other problem-solving skills.

Smart people don't generalize about groups of people. On occasion, even on the rant, some have been known to have an out-of-body experience and actually say something profound and relevant to college football. Those comments are usually met with fear and trepidation, for the average ranter has no comeback and knows that insults and prejudice have no place in such a rebuttal.

In conclusion, another great BAMA player of yesteryear said it best, "Stupid is as stupid does."
Posted by Smokey Okie
Member since Jul 2024
1046 posts
Posted on 8/2/24 at 4:47 am to
quote:

Here we go. This is the part where we get knowledge and thinking ability all mixed up. I personally know a lot of so-called "smart" people who make very bad decisions when it comes to family and other problem-solving skills.

Smart people don't generalize about groups of people. On occasion, even on the rant, some have been known to have an out-of-body experience and actually say something profound and relevant to college football. Those comments are usually met with fear and trepidation, for the average ranter has no comeback and knows that insults and prejudice have no place in such a rebuttal.

In conclusion, another great BAMA player of yesteryear said it best, "Stupid is as stupid does."


You can clutch your pearls and wilt away in contemptuous anger and create your own drama which you rescue others from in order to feel a white knight euphoria all you like.

I stand by my original thread title question. On average, much more stupid people belong to much more successful football teams.

Let me know when Harvard storms back into national relevance on the field. We all are very much aware that if Harvard immediately starting accepting the very stupid, their prowess in football competition would soar almost overnight.

Some in this thread have argued that the intelligent players don't give 100% due to threat of injury. Others have said that intelligent people just aren't as physically fit and strong as dumb people.

There is a contingent that believes smart and good football players just don't exist in the same abundant #'s as dumb and good football players so that is why Ivy League teams are irrelevant in today's environment.

I don't know exactly what your argument is; just say it.
Posted by bamameister
Right here, right now
Member since May 2016
15839 posts
Posted on 8/2/24 at 5:13 am to
quote:

I don't know exactly what your argument is; just say it.


Then stop generalizing football players. Nothing is going on in sports that isn't a reflection of what we see in all areas of life. Plenty of smart guys that will knock you on your azz. It has a lot more to do with a person's physicality and competitiveness than IQ.
Posted by Smokey Okie
Member since Jul 2024
1046 posts
Posted on 8/2/24 at 5:26 am to
quote:

Then stop generalizing football players. Nothing is going on in sports that isn't a reflection of what we see in all areas of life. Plenty of smart guys that will knock you on your azz. It has a lot more to do with a person's physicality and competitiveness than IQ.


You've missed the whole point of my thread. The very first thing many have said about higher academic standard teams is that they just can't compete because their players are smart.

They can't accept stupid players, therefore they stand no real chance of being competitive with those teams who accept the less intelligent.

I wanted to know why stupid players are better than intelligent players and the teams the stupid players are on seem to always be better teams.

It's not a generalization; it's a reality. Your righteous indignation is precious and special and I'm sure it gives you a great feeling but, you haven't provided any answers.
Posted by bamameister
Right here, right now
Member since May 2016
15839 posts
Posted on 8/2/24 at 5:40 am to
quote:


You've missed the whole point of my thread. The very first thing many have said about higher academic standard teams is that they just can't compete because their players are smart.

They can't accept stupid players, therefore they stand no real chance of being competitive with those teams who accept the less intelligent.

I wanted to know why stupid players are better than intelligent players and the teams the stupid players are on seem to always be better teams.

It's not a generalization; it's a reality. Your righteous indignation is precious and special and I'm sure it gives you a great feeling but, you haven't provided any answers.


Your language is insulting. So you are either stupid or brilliant. That leaves very few people to save the world.

By the way, most people frankly aren't good thinkers. Feelings of prejudice and superiority are mostly why we marginalize and group people. IQ and a college degree aren't solving family and world issues today any more than your concerns about who makes the best players. Common sense and wisdom are not a procession of the masses.

The Rainman could do math, didn't mean he was smart enough to get out of the rain.
Posted by HotRock
Starkville,MS
Member since Aug 2018
522 posts
Posted on 8/2/24 at 5:50 am to
quote:

So smart players, that attend colleges with high academic standards, don't fully engage in the game of football because they are scared of injury?


Scared? No, they generally just have options. Boxing is not the choice of many either, that beats your brains in but so does football and leaves your body wrecked no matter how good you become. I had cousin that played pro ball. I heard him say once it’s not worth it but that was

Heck, many football players would gladly give it up to be a basketball star or a rock star. So scared? That’s not exactly it. More like, they got options and stupid people don’t.

Posted by shadyone2
Member since Oct 2017
1110 posts
Posted on 8/2/24 at 7:57 am to
Did you play football in HS? Most of the ones I played with were dumb as shite. I mean couldn’t read, spell, write or do basic math. That wasn’t the exception, that was the rule. They scrambled every year at end to get kids eligible for HS team and to get scholarships. 13,14,15 ACT was very common. There were a few guys in the 20’s and maybe 1/2 30’s. It’s a joke.
Posted by bamameister
Right here, right now
Member since May 2016
15839 posts
Posted on 8/2/24 at 8:01 am to
quote:

Did you play football in HS? Most of the ones I played with were dumb as shite. I mean couldn’t read, spell, write or do basic math. That wasn’t the exception, that was the rule. They scrambled every year at end to get kids eligible for HS team and to get scholarships. 13,14,15 ACT was very common. There were a few guys in the 20’s and maybe 1/2 30’s. It’s a joke.


Now tell us about the collective IQ on the rant.
Posted by Yewkindewit
Near Birmingham, Alabama
Member since Apr 2012
20534 posts
Posted on 8/2/24 at 9:32 am to
Their brains are not working as hard as intelligent people on thought processes and therefore more energy is available for the use of reactionary, muscular motor functions. There, that sums it up.
Posted by KennesawTiger
Your's mom's house
Member since Dec 2006
7427 posts
Posted on 8/2/24 at 9:34 am to
quote:

It is widely assumed that stupid people are better football players than intelligent people


No its not.

Your entire post is invalid.

Good day, sir.
Posted by ColoradoAg
Colorado
Member since Sep 2011
24616 posts
Posted on 8/2/24 at 9:55 am to
Vince Young, commonly referred to as Radio, was the most athletically gifted moron in CFB history.
Posted by Che Boludo
Member since May 2009
19494 posts
Posted on 8/2/24 at 9:59 am to
quote:

No its not.

Your entire post is invalid.

I don't agree with the assertion in whole, but the dumb jock stereotype has been around for a long time for a reason.

I also watched the Tri-Lambs defeat the Alpha Betas, so while not football related, nerds can be better athletes.

This post was edited on 8/2/24 at 10:02 am
Posted by KennesawTiger
Your's mom's house
Member since Dec 2006
7427 posts
Posted on 8/2/24 at 10:01 am to
quote:

I don't agree with the assertion in whole, but the dumb jock stereotype has been around for a long time for a reason.



If you poll around NFL training camps, you will find more smart jocks than dumb jocks.
Posted by IamNotaRobot
OKC
Member since Nov 2021
488 posts
Posted on 8/2/24 at 10:51 am to
Probably for the same reasons idiots are better TD rant posters. Intellect on paper or in the classroom is not the ultimate measuring stick of intelligence.
Posted by MtVernon
Member since Jul 2024
2410 posts
Posted on 8/2/24 at 10:56 am to
I think OP started this thread to either watch everyone dance, or set someone up.

Jimmy The Greek says hello.
This post was edited on 8/2/24 at 10:58 am
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