Despite Rhodes detour, NFL still a goal for Rolle

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. —  Myron Rolle nodded in agreement, smiled and answered the question.

Sure, it’s difficult watching the NFL draft on television and not being picked when you believe you have as much talent, if not more, than some of the players selected in the early rounds.

But at a time when young, promising athletes routinely pick the riches of professional sports over school, the former Florida State safety has no regrets about his decision to delay the start of his NFL career for a year.

Although he worked hard to establish himself as a potential first- or second-round draft choice, Rolle put even more into academics to become a Rhodes Scholar while handling the demands of playing major college football.

“I had a lot of mixed emotions. It was tough seeing guys drafted at my position early when I know I could have been there as well,” the 22-year-old said. “Ultimately I feel like I made a good decision to go to Oxford, expand my education and acquire more knowledge in the process. I believe it will set me up for a pretty decent future.”

Rolle, who aspires to be a doctor, will leave for England in late September. But for much of the summer, you can find him working out with several NFL players at Disney’s Wide World Sports, where he’s honing his skills in anticipation of entering the draft next spring.

Although a Rhodes Scholarship entitles recipients to study for up to two years at the University of Oxford, Rolle will pursue a master’s degree in a one-year medical anthropology program.

“I feel it’s important to help and serve impoverished countries and low-income people in those countries with medicine,” he said. “But understanding their cultures, traditions and customs is very important to treating those patients. Medical anthropology ties into that.”

Renowned trainer Tom Shaw has put together a program to help Rolle stay in shape while he’s away.

Rhodes winners are encouraged to use two six-week breaks in their academic schedule to travel Europe, and Rolle could use some of his free time to return to Florida to work with Shaw in preparation for the NFL scouting combine.

Shaw says Rolle is showing his commitment by training this summer alongside NFL players such as Santonio Holmes, James Farrior and Ike Taylor of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“He doesn’t have to be out here right now. He could be in England,” Shaw said. “He could be at Florida State hanging out. But he knows how important it is to keep working and not get stale.

“He runs the risk of not being drafted in the first round next year if he’s out of shape. Teams want to see how serious he is about the game. That’s not going to be a question with him.”

Rolle has talked with several former Rhodes recipients, including ex-pro athletes Bill Bradley and Pat Haden and Florida State shot put champion Garrett Johnson, who won one of the prestigious scholarships in 2005.

All advise him to him to enjoy the experience, “read as many books, travel as many places and meet as many people as you can because it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.” Rolle thinks he he can do all that without losing his zest for football.

And Rolle is not waiting until he gets to the NFL to try to make a difference.

This month, he will join 50 boys and 50 girls from Florida’s foster care system for a five-day gathering at Camp Blanding, promoting the importance of education, in addition to leadership, fitness and wellness.