Pay cuts to go to the NFL? Kirby Smart exposes harsh reality

Smart knows the income for some college players is not sustainable. NFL careers don't last long for the average player, so he is prioritizing providing financial education for Georgia's players.

"I have convinced myself we have got to show them realistic ways to invest and make money," Smart said. "We bring speakers in to do that. We all talk about tax education, financial education. We're so invested in that now than we ever were before because we see the pitfalls.

"We see what they're, some of these kids, are spending that money on. That's the part I'm like, man, I'm failing these guys if they don't invest in real estate with that money they make."

Smart feels like Georgia "did a good thing" if the Bulldogs can get their players to invest their money in long-term investments. He adds that the transfer portal doesn't help players get the full financial picture.

"So many of the kids move so quickly that they don't have an attachment to a university," Smart added. "Where are you going back to if you went to three different schools."

Smart's not even getting into the challenges an athlete has in obtaining a degree if they attended several different schools. Smart has no magic solution for college football, but it is clear he cares about the sport and all of college sports having a sustainable future.

Kirby Smart's interview with Josh Pate

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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Pay cuts in the NFL? Kirby Smart exposes grim college football reality