Sankey: Pros returning to school 'fuels disruption'

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey asked a judge to uphold NCAA rules that prevent athletes from returning to play in college.

The top 3

  1. 3 Athletes Who Finished Degrees Post-Pro Career: Stephen Curry (NBA), Troy Polamalu (NFL), and Bo Jackson (NFL/MLB) are notable athletes who returned to college to earn their degrees after or during significant professional careers.
  2. 3 Pros Who Earned Degrees During Active Careers: Shaquille O'Neal (NBA) earned a bachelor's, MBA, and Ph.D., Steve Young (NFL) received a Juris Doctor, and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (NFL) earned a medical degree while actively playing professionally.
  3. Key Legal Challenges to NCAA Eligibility: Recent legal challenges, including a temporary restraining order in August 2026 allowing some professional athletes to return to college football, highlight ongoing disputes over NCAA eligibility rules, though this specific ruling was later clarified not to apply to players with pro contracts.

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