ESPN analyst Bomani Jones from “Around the Horn” did not come in so much of a sports related capacity, but rather by an invite he received from the Aggie Economics Association Program. 

He received his bachelor’s degree at Clark Atlanta University and attended graduate school at UNC Chapel Hill. He is a proud economics major. Throughout his speech, he debunked the theory that economics is just about money and mortgages, “Economics is about a thought process and [that thought process] is the framework for everything that I’ve done,” said Jones.  Jones also stressed the importance of having an adaptable outlook on life.  

Jones has undoubtedly seen a great amount of success in his career and credits his success to his ability to ask questions, think, and be “nimble” minded, traits that he attributes with majoring in Economics.  Regarding his career, Jones said, “I don’t have a job.” In fact, Jones noted that he has not stayed in the same position for more than two years, but instead went with the flow. He also spoke on his “celebrity” status, or lack there of, stating that though being on television is enjoyable for him, he does not view himself as a celebrity.  

Jones, like many people who are working today, believes the Internet played an important role in his sports writing career. “The Internet inspired a new level of sports fan,” said Jones.  “People care about the human element of sports — people want a story.” Jones went on to say that the Internet has opened up a new way of looking at sports. Instead of merely watching games, sports fans can now look at the financial aspect, salaries, and even the urban economic view of sports. 

Members of the audience may have picked up on his sensitivity to the black community. Jones tied in W.E.B Du Bois in his tidbit about being able to think saying, “The Negro is taught to do, but is not taught to think.” 

He pointed out how Du Bois’s stance differed from Booker T. Washington’s. All of this paired with the fact that he has an undergraduate degree from an HBCU gives you a sense that he cares very much for young black people who are about to enter the work force. Or at least knows of the hardships they may face.  

Jones, having a mind affected by an economist way of thinking, also addressed the importance of a college education. 

Jones noted that in former times, having a college degree was certainly a status marker, but it had no affect on your ability to go into the work force. He urged the audience to learn how to think and to take classes in the social sciences for the exercise of their minds.  Of the generation that comes after us, Jones said, “The next generation may have to seriously consider whether a college education is worth it.” 

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• Jamilah Shepard, Contributor