There are definitely "tournament" activities that are more winners take all than others. The stakes are probably actually higher to the degree consequences are

There are definitely "tournament" activities that are more winners take all than others. The stakes are probably actually higher to the degree consequences are stumbling down a dead-end path for years. I'm actually not convinced playing a sport in college while realizing you're not going to make it to the pros is such a terrible thing. Presumably they got something out of it. And lots of people play sports in college or do a multitude of other things that may--or may not--provide huge professional benefit.