Dave Schechter
CNN Senior National Editor

What’s the spread on the big game?

At this writing the University of Florida is a three point favorite to beat Oklahoma University for the mythical championship of college football.

But let’s consider another spread. This one has the Gators at minus-346 and the Sooners at minus-238.

What’s this all about? We’ll get to that in a moment, but first a digression.

Years ago, a half dozen or so sports fans who work at CNN had a heated discussion over lunch regarding college sports.

What is the purpose of a university, a cynic asked, to educate or to put a top 10 football team on the field?

Listen, that football team provides publicity for the school and brings in money that supports other, “lesser” sports, one stalwart replied.

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Editor’s Note: He was a division 1 college football player with a pre-med degree… and now the highest distinction for any student: the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. Myron Rolle has a difficult decision, head to the NFL or head to Oxford? Watch Don Lemon’s full report tonight on AC360°, 11p ET

Don Lemon
CNN Anchor

As interesting as you might find Myron Rolle’s personal story and accomplishments, the bottom line is will he accept the Rhodes Scholarship, or go for almost certain millionaire status in the NFL? It’s a tough choice. What would you do?

I didn’t ask him right away. I wanted to save it. I enjoyed the suspense. And frankly, I really liked playing out the scenarios in my head. If Rolle takes the money now from the NFL, he could quickly realize his dream of helping needy children. And who knows if the NFL will even be interested when he returns from Oxford University in England? A lot could change in two years. A Rhodes scholarship, however, doesn’t guarantee riches. But it is an accomplishment that only a select few can claim. Former President Bill Clinton, New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley, General Wesley Clark, to name a few; have certainly made their marks on society. It’s a real moral dilemma.

I met Rolle for the first time at dinner in the player’s cafeteria in the stadium. Rolle wore a designer suit by Sean John and a Burberry necktie; which made me self-conscious about wearing blue jeans and an open collar. The rest of his teammates wore sweats and as they walked passed us mumbled, “hey Mr. President” or “hey Mr. Rhodes.” All in good fun though, it’s obvious how proud they are of him.

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Editor’s note: Hear the full story of a football player kids can truly look up to — tonight on AC360 at 11pm ET.

Kay Jones
AC360° Coordinating Editorial Producer

Professional and college athletes normally make the headlines or a feature on CNN for something negative: Michael Vick’s dog fighting charges, Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones’ numerous run- ins with the law, various college football players getting suspended for cheating, not making their grades, etc. So it is refreshing to see an amazing college athlete be featured for doing something positive.

Meet Myron Rolle, a Florida State University student athlete who is as good on the football field as he is in the classroom, and I mean that in the most positive way. Rolle graduated in 2-1/2 years, is now working on his masters degree with an eye on med school to be a neurosurgeon. He has dreams of opening a clinic in the Bahamas, where his parents are from. He also dreams of playing in the NFL.

Oh, and another dream of his? To study at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. Myron Rolle may just do all of the above, after being one of just 32 students to win the Rhodes Scholarship less than two weeks ago. The Rhodes Scholarship is generally a two-year expense-paid graduate study program at Oxford University in England, and it is one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world.

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