The NFL Graduation Rule Needs To Change After Mardy Gilyard Robbery

Mardy Gilyard was robbed in Cincinnati Monday night , and the NFL needs to share the blame.

Because of a dumb NFL rule, the St. Louis Rams’ fourth-round draft pick was not allowed to participate in this week’s first session of organized team activities.

As ESPN’s Mike Sando explained , "While all rookies are allowed to participate in their team’s postdraft camp, NFL rules prevent players from joining their teams until May 16 or until their colleges have held final examinations, whichever comes later. Players who have already graduated or will graduate before May 16 can join their teams May 16."

Gilyard’s University of Cincinnati does not hold its commencement ceremony until June 12, meaning the former Bearcats receiver will miss four OTAs, as well as the team’s first mini-camp scheduled for June 10-12.

Because of that rule, Gilyard was in Cincinnati Monday night, and not in St. Louis with the rest of his new teammates. In St. Louis, he would have been in a controlled environment Monday night, and not stopping at a gas station for a couple of bags of groceries.

What if something had happened to Gilyard? Thankfully nobody was hurt. But does it really need to take armed robbery to convince the NFL to change this rule? It shouldn’t.

This column can also be found at The Alton Telegraph .