The National Football League is as big as it gets for football players. But that doesn’t mean their hearts are as invested in the professional game compared to their college experience. Why? In college they choose their team, but in the NFL you are selected by that particular team.
This isn’t to suggest NFL players don’t love their teams and would do anything to help the team/organization succeed, but there is something about the connection players feel to their colleges/universities.
One thing which certainly carries over from college to the professional ranks from time to time are those college rivalries.