Well, here's an early candidate for my "meathead of the month" award.

The NBA is attempting to impose a minimum age for players in the league. Jermaine O'Neal, at least, has branded the NBA's attempt to be "economic racism".

HOW'S THAT? The NBA is a league composed predominantly of African Americans, and the endorsement deals fall disproportionately to African American athletes. These are pretty clear and obvious facts.

If anything, the current trend of pulling players straight from the high school ranks could be considered "economic racism": essentially, young black players are lured away from the chance of a quality education with a LIFETIME earnings potential, to a career which will be, for all too many, over before their 30th birthday. Because they have been pros, the college eligibility won't be there, and they'll have to compete with their wiser peers that completed college before entering the league.

The NBA's proposal is common sense, and stands to HELP inner city athletes far more than they realize.By encouraging them to at least BEGIN their education, they are giving these kids a future and a chance.

Our professional sports world is a world that undervalues education. By drafting blue chip players straight out of high school, they give the players an "all or nothing" chance to either make it in the NBA or be out on the streets without even an education to fall back on. College can provide these athletes with discipline, as well as a sense of financial responsibility that would help them better manage their pro sports windfall,if only they'd allow it.

But peoplelike Jermaine O'Neal are bound and determined not to let that happen.