By Ken Reed
A lot of people in the sports world — most notably the college football world — view Northwestern football player Kain Colter as an ungrateful rebel. They believe he’s attacking Northwestern specifically and is focusing on money.
The truth is, he’s loved his experience at Northwestern. He is simply focused on protecting the college athletes of today and tomorrow — especially when it comes to health-related issues stemming from their college playing careers.
Colter is spearheading a new organization for college athletes called the College Athletes Players Association (CAPA). The intent is to give a voice to the voiceless, the thousands of college athletes across the country. The initial focus is on football and basketball players.
This isn’t really about Northwestern. It’s about Colter trying to spur change in a system that steps on athletes’ basic civil and economic rights.
In this era of big money college sports, the athletes certainly deserve more economic considerations. But Colter’s first fight is for better health insurance. CAPA’s pushing for the development of a fund that former players can use for football-related health reasons after their playing days are over.
“I sacrificed my body for four years, and they sold my jersey,” said Colter. “They should protect me.”
Yes they should Kain. Yes they should.
— Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans
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