They came from the same college (Alabama) with running backs catching the ball out of the backfield, coached by a former pro coach (Nick Saban), and the same forecast for being tough enough to beat the abysmal odds of injury over a pro career.

FORBES: Connect

After a stint as head coach at Penncrest High School in Media, Pa. he was hired in 1979 to coach the defensive backs at Lafayette College.

FORBES: Careers

They just came up against the best offensive line in college and running backs that were bigger, faster, and stronger with more juke-ability than they were accustomed to seeing up close and personal.

FORBES: BCS and Alabama Make History on Many Levels.

Few are shedding tears for the mandarins of college leagues, who have built a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate on the backs of unpaid labour.

ECONOMIST: From the desk to the ball court