I believe this story, whether true or not, happens all the time at almost every D1 football program in the country – including $C. Shame on the program, shame on the coaches, but also shame on any player that squandered the chance of a lifetime to be on scholarship at any school, let alone Cal.

The flip side I one of my best friends played at Cal, graduated in 1983, and is CEO of a biotech company here in the Bay Area that is entertaining offers from every leading medical company in the world. Another good friend played and graduated the same season, had a long pro career, is an announcer now and is financially set for life despite never making huge dollars that players make now.

I was a walk-on at another D1 program, I have a great well paying job at one the largest tech companies in the world. My two best buddies who were teammates are both extremely successful businessmen, one in the corporate world and the other as a business owner, investor and entrepreneur. Many of our teammates range from big successes to blue collar guys to struggling.

The points you try to make that put down Cal make no special, unique or relevant point. And the manner in which you frequently do it insures it falls on deaf ears or is deservedly dismissed immediately.

Maybe if you went to Cal or graduated from any respectable university, you would grasp that. Maybe if you put down the Cheetos and got out the basement and into some daylight you could figure that out?

Here is his story. At the store, he was helped by a very nice young man. Daddy said he wanted to buy some Cal clothing. The young man said he went to school there and played 5 years of football.

Daddy recognized the name (he was one of your very good players) and he thanked him for playing at Cal. Daddy asked him if he was happy that he went there to play football and, better yet, to get his education.

This is no joke but the young man said he loved playing football there but he regretted that “they” made him take the kind of courses he did. He said he regretted not getting a better degree because even though he graduated his degree is worthless. That is why he is working at this store in the mall. Daddy said he wasn’t bitter but he was more disappointed in himself that he allowed this to happen.He asked Daddy if he had any Cal connections so that he could get settled in a good job and start on a nice career.

I think you can guess what he got his degree in. Daddy said he had no connections in that field but suggested that he apply to the county. Maybe CPS might have an opening.

Daddy also suggested that he consider doing graduate school or maybe some tech training.

I know you will dismiss this but it is a true story.

I sense that something else is at work here, too. For a long time I have suspected that Tedford and his staff have been caught up in recruiting stats and much less so with high character and leadership qualities. I can’t prove that, of course, but it makes a little sense to me when you see the under achievement on the field with all of that NFL talent that Cal has had in the past six or seven years. Ultimately, it’s the kid who has to decide whether he wants to make the most of his scholarship and attend classes.

I don’t buy any of that crap that the academic load at Cal is too difficult for many Cal student athletes. If you attend class, and with all the tutoring available for these kids, you are going to get your degree. Russell White got his degree at Cal while overcoming Prop 48 and dyslexia.

BTW where is the esteemed advisor to the Social Welfare stars when he is needed the most?