NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell issued the following statement:
“For 79 years, the National Football Foundation has been counted on to promote and protect the game. Speaking on behalf of intercollegiate football, the NFF strongly believes that a clear distinction must be enforced between college and professional football. Once a student-athlete has declared their intent, exhausted their eligibility or signed a professional contract, their college eligibility should be over. College football should not and cannot become a fallback for players whose professional aspirations did not work out.
“Despite all the recent challenges and changes, college football must continue to be collegiate. A college or university education and the experiences that come with it remain the most reliable tools for building a foundation for the future. Allowing former professional players to return undermines that purpose while taking roster spots and scholarship opportunities away from high school and college student-athletes. Eligibility rules must be clear, consistent and enforceable.
“The National Football Foundation believes protecting this aspect of the eligibility rules is essential to the integrity of the sport and the opportunities it provides to the next generation of student-athletes.”
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE HALL OF FAME
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik, and journalist Grantland Rice, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) is a nonprofit organization that leverages the power of amateur football to build leaders. With 120 chapters in 47 states, the NFF oversees initiatives such as the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, the William V. Campbell Trophy®, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments, Future For Football, and I Played. Learn more at footballfoundation.org and follow @NFFNetwork on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
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