As an alumnus and a former player myself, I have to admit I was devastated to hear about my former teammates Ben Bruns and Bill Marsau having the problems they are having (“Everything to gain: Offensive linemen after college football,” Paul Kix, Friday’s Daily). I have been dealing with similar problems myself, having gone from a playing weight of 325 to 270, only to bounce back to 300. We eat like birds and paint ourselves in metabolic corners in an attempt to gain control of our health and weight.

Also, I am anticipating getting my back fused and have elbow and knee replacements in my not-too-distant future. I am 28 years old with a wife and two young children I can barely pick up. It is bad enough for me to have these situations after college and three years of pro football, but it rips me up to see these comrades of mine facing similar limitations at an even younger age.

I don’t believe the athletic teams themselves are necessarily to blame; it is an arms race in football to have the biggest “hogs” on the offensive and defensive lines. Also, look at the health risks of wrestling with the extreme weight loss involved. Put the rigors of gymnastics under the microscope and see how the joints of those young men and women look at age 30. There are risks inherent to any sport.

However, it galls me that college sports aren’t held accountable for the accumulated injuries the way pro sports are. I have the option of suing for workman’s compensation for my injuries to pay for my treatment.

Yet, universities are making tons of money on sports like football while paying the players what amounts to being minimum wage once you divide the scholarships by hours worked. Perhaps college sports should take responsibility for fully rehabilitating these players so that their entire youth isn’t spent lining the coffers of the NCAA and its participating colleges.

Lastly, as a former McCarney player, I know no one cares as much about the well- being of his players than Coach McCarney and his staff. Everything is indeed relative, and as sad as the stories of ex-Cyclones are, there are worse stories out there at the true “football factories.”

Tim Kohn

ISU Alumnus