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This take is not likely to go over well with the majority of Alabama fans.
If you missed it earlier this week, the Alabama football program unveiled a new barbershop in the team’s facility for the players. The shop is, of course, free of charge for all players.
Here’s the video announcement if you missed it:
Now open, Bama Cuts!#RollTide pic.twitter.com/Em1D7achs3
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) February 19, 2018
The initial reaction to the news appeared to be generally positive. Although some used the opening of the barbershop as an opportunity to point out the fact the players continue to get more and more amenities without receiving monetary compensation, outside of stipends, for their contributions to the school’s football program.
Among them was ESPN’s Jemele Hill:
Keep wow’ing the players with perks like this so that they will never collectively push for actual compensation. Bold strategy, Cotton. https://t.co/xERJFMF90T
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) February 20, 2018
Her response generated this one on Twitter:
For the most part they all are on full athletic scholarship, access to the best facilities in the world, and endless other perks like these. As a PSU grad with student loans, that sounds like a deal and a half
— John Moy (@MOYBOY18) February 20, 2018
To which she came back with one of her own:
So basically your argument is, these players have it ✌?good enough✌?and better than a lot of folks, so they should be OK w/ everyone in the system making $ AND getting all the perks? I’m guessing in no corner of your life you would think that mentality is OK. https://t.co/d9eqXx5hYc
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) February 20, 2018
Don’t expect this debate to end until the players actually do receiver monetary compensation — whenever that day eventually arrives.
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
