[mm-video type=video id=01f2j1rv2prwjv8py8 playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f2j1rv2prwjv8py8/01f2j1rv2prwjv8py8-af41dd68afe8e54a04acc4ad8923d0b6.jpg]
Editor’s note: Gators Wire recently interviewed former Florida and NFL great Trace Armstrong to discuss a variety of topics, ranging from his youth to the modern game of football. During our conversations, he provided a plethora of fascinating anecdotes that we will share with you in a multi-part series.
Be sure to check back each Wednesday in the coming months for future installments of “Talking with Trace.” The series is part of a partnership between our colleagues at Campus Lore and the NFLPA.
Previously, we have discussed who was the greatest Gator ever and why the Miami Dolphins was such a great place for Trace.
One of the biggest stories in collegiate sports the past several months has been the battle for the rights to the names, images and likenesses of student-athletes, as well as the push for looser transfer portal parameters in the major sports.
Gators Wire editor Adam Dubbin discussed the issue with former Florida football standout and NFL Pro Bowler Trace Armstrong, who is currently a sports agent who represents several big-name college football coaches, as well as a handful of broadcasters.
Here is what he had to say on the topic.
ADAM DUBBIN: “What are your thoughts on the naming, image rights, etc. that’s going through legislation currently and various institutions trying to apply it. What are your thoughts about that?”
TRACE ARMSTRONG: “I think it’ll be interesting to see what actually happens… where the market is. Are we talking millions of dollars or are we talking thousands of dollars? And then, what safeguards are put in place [to prevent] some places or schools [who] use it to break the rules and use it for an illegal advantage.”
“So I think there’s a lot to be worked out right now. I think the NCAA needs to step up and lead on this. I think they’ve been very reactive in how they’ve handled players and handled NIL. So I think the game… it’s a danger that the game faces right now. So I’m a little concerned about that.”
“But I’m absolutely for player rights and for players to have the ability to transfer within reason. They also have to recognize too that if you’re a player, you sign a scholarship — the way it works now is that most of these are four-year scholarships and a lot of these kids, they come, they sign scholarships and many of them don’t play. about 40% of the kids that sign Division I football scholarships never really see the field. So if they want to make it more like a job they’re also going to have to recognize that if you’re one of those kids that is not going to play, you know, there could be a situation where the school says, ‘You know what? We’re terminating the scholarship.'”
“So I think there’s going to be some back-and-forth and some things that need to be thought through and worked out, and that’s why I think there’s a real need for good, strong leadership at the NCAA level right now.”
WATCH: Chicago’s great, but Miami’s the place for former Gator Trace Armstrong
WATCH: Florida football great Trace Armstrong selects his best Gator ever