Turk McBride Spends Lockout Finishing Degree From Tennessee

by Sean Yuille on Jun 23, 2011 7:23 AM EDT in Detroit Lions News

When some athletes leave college to go pro in their sport, they are often just a few credits short of getting their degree. While they could just move on and not worry about it, many spend the offseason back at their college to finish what they started. Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader, for example, has been at Michigan State the last couple summers working toward finishing his degree.

With hockey, the offseason doesn't get interrupted very much, allowing for players to spend a semester at college or something like that. With the NFL, however, there usually is never much extended time to go off and do your own thing. After the end of the season there might be a couple months, but before you know it the offseason conditioning program starts and then OTAs and minicamps are held. Aside from a month off before training camp, NFL players rarely have a ton of extended free time, which is why this offseason has been so unique with the lockout.

Players have done a number of different things to pass the time during the workout, but I can't think of anything much better than Detroit Lions defensive end Turk McBride going back to college. According to the Oakland Press' Paula Pasche, McBride needed 16 credits to earn his degree in sociology from the University of Tennessee, and the lockout allowed him to go back and complete it.

While the lockout has certainly been an overall negative thing, it's nice that McBride has made the most of it.

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Great. A BA in Sociology

Where in the hell will he find a job in this economy?

by ATL Lion on Jun 23, 2011 8:38 AM EDT reply actions

Hm

With the Detroit Lions hopefully

by metatron5369 on Jun 23, 2011 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Many jobs are available with a sociology degree.

Criminal justice, government, social service agencies, education, advertising, human resources, etc etc.

by Mavyrk on Jun 23, 2011 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Congradulations Turk!

The Tigers broadcasters, Mario Impemba and Rod Allen were discussing the percentage of professional players in the 4 major sports who had their college degrees. The NFL was ranked highest. I can’t remember the exact numbers, but MLB was something like 2-3%.

by mikeyclaw on Jun 23, 2011 8:39 AM EDT reply actions

That's because to get to the NFL

You need to be 3 years out of school. MLB doesn’t care and NBA its just 1. Football players are most likely to be closer to a degree than anyone else.

"Where in the World is Ndamukong Suh?
Probably pushing 800-pound gorillas out of their choice seats in movie theaters."
By: I voted for Kodos (Acme Packing Company)

P.C.P. supporter since March 2011 (Phonz Carpenter Pratt for all that don't know)

by Enforcer on Jun 23, 2011 9:25 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

should be 4 with all of them...

and minor in money mangmet as well

RIP KURTIS CHAIVRE

by det32 on Jun 23, 2011 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

For sure.

"Where in the World is Ndamukong Suh?
Probably pushing 800-pound gorillas out of their choice seats in movie theaters."
By: I voted for Kodos (Acme Packing Company)

P.C.P. supporter since March 2011 (Phonz Carpenter Pratt for all that don't know)

by Enforcer on Jun 23, 2011 9:32 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Not to mention baseball's international draft

a lot of the players from latin america never get the chance at formal schooling.

DFA The Tampa Bay Rays
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
Fear the Roar.

by TheLoneDavid on Jun 26, 2011 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Good job # 75

Glad to see the perseverance ! It only took me 25 years to get a 2 year degree. Rotating shift work does slow you down a bit. Hammer out this C.B.A. and let’s go to work !

" I must be crazy to be in a loony bin like this. " " What are you doin' here? You oughta be out in a convertible bird-doggin' chicks and bangin' beaver. " " Medication time. Medication time. " ( One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - 1975 )

by Keevatron on Jun 23, 2011 9:25 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

It may have taken 25 years

But you got it right? At least you can say you finished.

"Where in the World is Ndamukong Suh?
Probably pushing 800-pound gorillas out of their choice seats in movie theaters."
By: I voted for Kodos (Acme Packing Company)

P.C.P. supporter since March 2011 (Phonz Carpenter Pratt for all that don't know)

by Enforcer on Jun 23, 2011 9:26 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Congrats Turk!

Would love to see more players go back and finish their degree after they arrive in the NFL, that is if they haven’t gotten it already. Tremendous job Turk.

by JFisch on Jun 23, 2011 11:55 AM EDT reply actions