Nebraska Lineman To NFL: No Thank You

This will make Merrill Hoge's head explode, but someone actually decided that further injury and pain inflicted by the glories of an NFL career would not be worth the hefty paycheck. Jacob Hickman wasn't going in the first day, but as a three year starter for Nebraska he was likely going to see some second day action and a likely contract with a pro team. 

But, yeah: no thanks, y'all. 

"Playing in the NFL was never a dream for me, like the end-all, be-all," Hickman said. "I kind of thought if that happens, it's something I would do. As it has progressed, I’ve kind of gone in a different direction."

Hickman does have 14 screws in his body thanks to football-related injuries, so the decision is a mature one on his part. It's not like he won't be able to get a head start on his peers in coaching (his likely destination,) and he now has a great line on the honeys at parties. Yeah, I could have been in the league, but this metal that I carry with me reminds me every day of the costs of my youthful folly, the machine I would have had to become...

/gets faraway look in eyes

/gets sensitive lady's phone number