FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL-29              6/11/02

GRADUATION TIME FOR MANY NFL PLAYERS
 

Graduation time is here, and once again, NFL players are earning their diplomas.  Many of the players who earned their college degrees this spring did so through the Continuing Education Program of the NFL Player Development Department, which is headed by the NFL’s new Vice President of Player Development, Pro Football Hall of Famer MIKE HAYNES. 
 

One, linebacker ALLEN ALDRIDGE, picked up his diploma and a new team all in the same place.
 

Aldridge recently signed with the expansion Houston Texans and accepted his bachelor’s degree in sports management from the University of Houston. 
 

“Just to see the reaction of my mother at graduation was really special,” says Aldridge.  “I come from a family of educators.  Everyone is a teacher or going for an advanced degree.  Everyone was thrilled when I finished.”
 

Cleveland Browns defensive end ARNOLD MILLER became the first member of his family to earn a college degree this spring. 
 

"Ever since my second year in college I made it my goal to be the first member of my family to graduate from college,” says Miller, a kinesiology major at Louisiana State.  “Many of the seniors on our team at LSU set the standard that getting a degree was more important than anything.  If a career in the NFL didn't work out, then we always had our degree and the opportunity for a professional career.”
 

Miller has found his degree helpful in other ways as well.
 

"It sets a good example for my son Wellington (10),” he says.  “When I tell him to do his homework and do well in school, he can see that I also worked hard toward my education.  It motivates him and he has been on the honor roll at school.”
 

Miami Dolphins running back ROB KONRAD did not want his 3 1/2 years at Syracuse University to be wasted, so he returned to the school this year to complete his degree in business.  It wasn’t easy, Konrad says.
 

“With a new coordinator (NORV TURNER) coming in and learning a new offense, it made for a busy offseason,” he says.  “My time has been pretty much filled with work.  For a while, I felt that I had wasted my time at Syracuse.  It would be a waste if I didn’t finish up.  The degree is something I will need down the road.”  
 

NFL Player Development was created in 1991 by NFL Commissioner PAUL TAGLIABUE to assist players and their families in their lives off the field.  In the past 10 offseasons, players and their wives have enrolled in more than 3,400 hours of coursework as part of the continuing education program.  Following are some NFL veterans who earned or will earn their college degrees this offseason: