Today I find myself watching TV only mildly interested in the NFL playoff games. I say that because there aren’t any teams left I am particularly interested in. Athletics for me continues to be fun to watch and rewarding to coach, but what I care about most are the lessons to be learned. If you are a parent trying to live out Deuteronomy 6:7, whether your child is involved in band, or acting, or football, your job is to look for opportunities to teach them biblical truth and character development. It requires us to be creative and diligent as we look for those teachable moments.

If you follow college football you might know that Andrew Luck, the starting quarterback at Stanford University, was everyone’s pick to be the first player chosen in this year’s NFL draft. Even though Andrew is only a Junior in school and a Sophomore in eligibility, after being the runner up for the Heisman Trophy (given to the top college football player) most experts expect him to be taken #1 in April’s draft. For those “normal” folks out there that don’t know every fact and figure coming out of the NFL let me put this in perspective. Here are the last two #1 picks (both quarterbacks) and how much money they signed for:

• 2010 Sam Bradford – 5 year $86 million - $50 million guaranteed
• 2009 Matthew Stafford  - 6 year $72 million – $41 Million guaranteed

So Andrew Luck can expect to sign his name and instantly be guaranteed more than $50 million – except for one problem. Completely against conventional wisdom, Andrew has decided to delay his pursuit of NFL riches and return to play for Stanford and complete his degree. Most people are shocked and disturbed by his decision. Here are a few examples of actual comments –

I thought you had to be a smart guy to get into Stanford. He is projected to go #1 in the draft and make $50-60M. By staying, he couldn't possibly improve his draft status…  even if he fails in the NFL, then take a fraction of the $30M and return to Stanford and get your degree. Sorry, but not a very smart decision by a guy who is suppose to be smart.

Or how about this comment –

Precisely. Jamarcus Russell is sitting on 32 million dollars. For three years of part time work. Andrew Luck is beyond stupid for passing up on this once in a lifetime chance. The chances of an injury/poor performance/other variables are astronomical.

So is Luck “stupid” for coming back to Stanford? I certainly don’t pretend to have the final word of wisdom on this decision, but what a great conversation to have with your kids (especially if your family has an interest in sports). Enter the draft and you become an instant multi-millionaire. Is it worth the risk of returning in order to earn a degree you will likely never use? Why come back – for the degree or is there more to consider? As some of you know, Luck is the quarterback that unseated our son as the starter in Tavita’s senior season. So we have come to know and respect Andrew as an athlete but more importantly as a person. He is a wise young man and he has involved parents. Incidentally his father is a former NFL quarterback. I haven’t talked to Andrew, so I don’t know exactly why he chose to come back – but I’m excited he did. Not because we are Stanford fans, but because it sends a great message to a watching world – there is more to life than money!!! If you watch athletics today – it is all about money. Owners, players, schools, teams, all make decisions based solely on money. One day a coach will sign a multi-year CONTRACT only to break the contract the next day for a better deal. Character, commitment, loyalty, and love of the game are concepts that have become lost amongst piles of money.

Tavita coaching this past year next to Andrew Luck

also pictured new head coach David Shaw and former head coach Jim Harbaugh

Andrew loves his college experience. He loves his teammates, his coaches and his school. This past year he led Stanford to a #4 finish in all of college football to go along with almost winning the Heisman. On the one hand there isn’t a lot of room for improvement. On the other hand if he returns to school he gets another year doing what he loves with his friends (pro football is nothing but business).  If he returns he also has the opportunity to finish his degree, completing what he set out to do three years ago. Of course, football is a physical sport and he runs the risk of suffering a career ending injury. I’m sure he will have an insurance policy to protect his financial future against injury, but should the worse happen he certainly won’t make the kind of money he would make if he entered the NFL right now. Of course he could come back and lead Stanford to a great season, win the Heisman and earn even more money. But the one thing I’m sure of – after weighing his options and consulting with his parents Andrew didn’t make this decision based solely on money. And to me that is a breath of fresh air. And a decision worth talking about with your kids.