July 9, 2001    
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What do you feel about high school aged professional athletes (like inTennis, and the NBA)?

I think athletes should successfully complete at least two years of college before playing professionally. However, as long as they are 18 or older, it's their life and if they can make it work, then fine. It's just always good to have some brain to fall back on.

Firelady, 23
Dallas
, TX   USA

I am not a sports fan. Professional athletes are entitled to ignore me--as I ignore them.

Jill, 60
Saylorsburg
, PA USA

These athletes are in prime physical condition. I see no reason why they shouldn't take advantage of the opportunity. Their career will be over very quickly. They'll have plenty of time and money to go back to school when they retire from sports.

Laura, 36
Lowell
, MA   USA

I think they are too young. Also in the Olympics, Tara Lipinski winning the gold in ice skating at 14 years of age. They need some time to mature in other parts of their life. If you are on top as a teen, where do you go after that? There is no where else but down. Pretty hard to deal with  as a adult, let along as a teenager.

Janet, 42
E. Brunswick
, NJ  USA

Their existence has little to no effect on me.

Karen, 21
Marshelltown/Ames
,
IA  USA

If they have the talent and ability, no one should ever be prevented from succeeding because of age. However, explotation and manipulation should never be the prime objective and youth should always have someone who cares only about their well being as a person and not as a money-making machine. This is true whether the arena is sports, or entertainment, or whatever.

Felicia, 35
Lowell
, MA   USA

I think they are a big mistake. Athletes should be both physically and emotionally mature before subjecting themselves to the stresses of professional sport.

Jane, 60
West Linn
, OR   USA

I think it is wrong to have high school aged athletes. A professional  athlete needs at least a high school education. An athlete can easily get injured and not be able to play. After that they would have no education.

Heather, 15
TX  USA

I think it's fantastic. People should never allow their age to hold them back and to be held back because of your age is a completely unfair and unacceptable practice. Age is but a number, if someone has true talent, that talent should be given the opportunity not only to shine but to continue to grow.

Angela, 16
Bella Vista
, AR  USA

I think that they are extremely ambitious people and deserve good recognition for their achievements.

Gavin, 16
Sydney  AUSTRAILA

I don't think age is a huge deal. If the high school kid is as good as the adults in the professional sports,Why not? I think some supervising would need to be done though since he or she is still a minor.

Stephanie, 25
TX  USA

I don't think pro sports teams should be allowed to recruit anyone until they've graduated college.

Talia, 23
Wilton
, CT   USA

Part of me feels that it is OK, that it is no different than getting a job when you graduate from high school like so many people do. But, then I also think that it can be a bad idea. You should worry about your education first, because anything can happen and you may not even be able to play

Jennifer, 19
Wilkes-Barre
, PA  USA

I don't have a problem with it. It's their desision for the path that they choose, whether they are getting an education or not.

Deb

If they are good enough to play and they got the grades, sure, let 'em play.

Justin, 16
Bend
, OR   USA

Take the money when you can get. You can go to school at any age, especially with $20,000,000.

Alias Irrelevante

I think that if that is what they truly want to be doing, then it's okay.  But i also believe that it can seriously take away from growing up and being a kid. Lets put it this way, im glad i didnt do it.

Ry, 23

As a general rule, I don't think it's a good idea. I would not approve of it if my child or one of my friends wanted to become an athlete--if the career fell through, you would have no education to fall back on. At the same time, they will probably make enough money during their career--no matter how brief--to support themselves for the rest of their lives.

Johanna, 18
OK  USA

Go them.

Eric, 19
Beverly Hills
, CA  USA

To be honest, I don't care. If they're old enough to be professional at that age, they may as well pursue it as a career.

Shanna, 16
Cardiff  ENGLAND

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