Rashan Gary Graduates from the University of Michigan

Submitted by BursleyHall82 on April 28th, 2023 at 11:34 PM

These stories make me so damn happy - when a guy who left early doesn't give up, comes back and gets his degree. You can see from his mom's tweet how happy she is.

Way to go, Rashan. What a great day. Go Blue.

https://twitter.com/jfeeshan/status/1652105818160939011

 

Indy Pete - Go Blue

April 29th, 2023 at 5:34 AM ^

Those who don’t stay (but return after going in the first round) will be graduates.

Rashan and his Mom were two of the stars of that Michigan football documentary. You love to see the influence of a strong, committed mother and a son with the humility to follow her leadership and vision.  Congrats Rashan on this awesome achievement!

bluewings

April 29th, 2023 at 12:57 AM ^

I think he got a 20 million dollar 4 year contract. He will probably get more money his next contract. Most college graduates can only dream of that kind of money. It’s not that big of a deal. Honestly. Good for him if that makes his mom happy but it’s not a big deal. Lebron James never went to college and he’s a billionaire. A college degree is suppose to help your potential earnings, in Rashans case it doesn’t matter 

Cruzcontrol75

April 29th, 2023 at 8:03 AM ^

If you think every NFL player that strikes it rich can maintain that afterward you’re in fantasy land.  Recently heard a podcast with a widow of an NFL player who died of a heart condition but was found to have CTE.  She cited an astounding stat of NFL players failure to succeed after the playing days are over.  Beyond financial hardship she also said that they also have a dramatically higher rate of divorce.  I couldn’t remember so I looked it up.  
 

According to Sports Illustrated, nearly 4 out of 5 former NFL players either go bankrupt or suffer severe financial distress within two years of retirement.

mooseman

April 29th, 2023 at 9:11 AM ^

It can mean so much more than that. Particularly if you are from a family that never had those educational opportunities. 

My grandpa used to give my dad shit that he finished high school instead of going out into the workforce. My siblings and I were the first to attend college. For our kids it's an expectation. A degree can change the trajectory of generations.

Rashan's kids might never play sports, but I bet there will be an expectation that they'll go to college.

The Oracle 2

April 29th, 2023 at 12:38 PM ^

A college degree, depending on the subject, may or may not improve earning potential. A well rounded education can benefit a person, regardless of earning potential, although universities have never done a worse job of “well rounded” than they are doing today. But setting a worthwhile goal and preserving until it’s achieved, especially when there are many rea$on$ not to persevere, is admirable.

bluewings

April 29th, 2023 at 1:59 PM ^

I appreciate the constructive criticism rather than just saying my take is garbage. It might be a worthy degree but depending on the degree and how long he lasts in the league his degree might not be worth much. Hell, I have a relative that got an aerospace engineering degree from Michigan, then went in the army then putzed around for a while. His degree became worthless without continued jobs over the years related to it. Now it can’t get him a job. As far as pro players blowing tens of millions of dollars, having a degree making 80 grand a year after blowing 30 million isn’t moving the needle much in degree or no degree. I don’t mean to be negative on the news. I’m proud of him getting his degree but him getting a large nfl contract is what matters.  I’m not all rainbows and butterflies but am being honest. 

Wendyk5

April 29th, 2023 at 8:28 AM ^

I love this. I may be in the minority but I think the education part of being a student athlete is not something to be taken for granted. I'm glad he embraced it. His mom must be very proud (even in the face of his current financial situation). 

MaizeBlueA2

April 29th, 2023 at 8:53 AM ^

Too many people (not you, of course) give too much shit to Gary (and Peppers for that matters). Like he was a bust or a disappointment. 

The man was a beast on the field, loves Michigan, and kept his word to his mom that he'd get his degree. This is what it's about.

He went to Michigan, made a pro career for himself, made MAJOR contributor to the football team, and took advantage of an opportunity for higher education. Congrats, Rashan! Michigan Man through and through!

 

I find the Cardale Jones and CJ Stroud comments so disheartening. You don't have to pick between football and your education. You can do both. And you can prioritize football, just like Gary did...and still be committed to your education, just like Gary was.

Merlin.64

April 29th, 2023 at 9:38 AM ^

Impressive achievement. It is not easy to continue one's education after one leaves campus and encounters so many other obligations and distractions. It takes a special kind of persistence, and that is a particularly valuable quality.

Well done, Rashan. And Mom.