Myron Rolle's Rhode Back to the NFL

Safety Myron Rolle works out at Steelers practice. (Keith Srakocic)

Myron Rolle seemed destined to continue the family tradition of playing in the NFL. His junior year at Florida State he was a third-team All-American safety and a coveted draft prospect. What many people didn't realize was that Rolle was the ultimate student athlete. He graduated in just two and a half years and was named a Rhodes Scholar.

Rather than enter the draft, Rolle opted to study at Oxford University for a year. While there, he tried to balance his schoolwork with staying in football shape. In between hours spent writing his thesis and earning his master's degree in medical anthropology, Rolle worked out in a tiny weight room and ran on a rugged rugby field.

Rolle returned to the United States and entered the 2010 NFL Draft. The Tennessee Titans drafted him in the sixth round. Rolle had quite a bit of football rust from his time away from the game. He made the team, but never played during the regular season. The Titans released him prior to the 2011 season.

Rolle was understandably frustrated, but wasn't short on options. He could go to medical school to become a neurosurgeon. He could pour his life into his charitable foundation. Or he could continue his campaign against obesity and diabetes, especially among Native Americans. Despite those worthy options, Rolle knew his heart was still in football. He also knew that he would have to work hard to make that option a reality.

Rolle got his opportunity with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the Steelers already have two entrenched starting safeties in Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark. Ryan Mundy is a promising young talent and the team's top backup. Rolle doesn't have much of a chance of beating out Mundy, which means he will be competing with a number of free agents for that last backup spot. If there is one thing he knows how to do, it is how to work hard. For now, Myron Rolle is putting his academics on hold. It is time for his football abilities to thrive.