Every year, the NFL mandates that all new rookies attend a symposium. It’s a 3-4 day event out in California where rookies (and some vets if they choose to come) sit in on panels, take courses and basically learn about life in the NFL. Players and coaches who have been in the league a long time are asked to come in and speak to the rookies.

Ross Tucker of Sports Illustrated (who is a moderator) describes the event as:

The league really spares no expense in order to make this four-day event as productive as possible. Over 250 players are flown from their NFL cities to large, secluded resort locations and put up for three or four nights as they attend seminars all day ranging from financial education to maintaining one’s sexual health and everything in between.

The NFL set this up years ago as a way to help keep their players on the right track. The NFL does not want to see another Michael Vick, Ben Rothleisberger or Pacman Jones. But not only are players taught to behave off the field, they are also given valuable lessons on finance. So many new rookies get into money problems – they come out of college with nothing and are instantly given millions of dollars. A few bad decisions can leave a player bankrupt.

I’m sure a lot of players think the symposium is a complete waste of time, but it’s very important that the NFL go over all their guidelines, policies and resources available to the players. You can bet Tim Tebow will take full advantage of this opportunity and learn everything he can about the league from the veterans.