Thankfully for Nelson, the Steelers allow him to devote time to both.
For all the talk about the importance of character in the NFL, there are times virtuous players must make a choice between pursuing their football dreams and other noble pursuits. Take the case of Myron Rolle. He hurt his NFL prospects by accepting a Rhodes scholarship to study medical anthropology at Oxford. Rolle's draft report mentioned his decision in an unflattering light: "Rolle missed entire 2009 season studying in Oxford (Rhodes scholarship), raising questions about his long-term desire to play football." He wasn't out with an injury.