Two of college football’s premier players have announced they will opt out of bowl season to focus on preparing for the NFL Draft (aka avoiding the risk of getting hurt and it costing millions in future earnings.)
Stanford All-American running back and 2015 Heisman finalist Christian McCaffrey announced today that he will forgo playing against North Carolina in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 30. LSU’s record-setting running back Leonard Fournette made the decision to skip the Citrus Bowl against Louisville at a press conference last Friday, using the crutch that his left ankle is at “85 to 90″ percent.
Expectedly, McCaffrey and Fournette’s decisions have divided athletes and talking heads alike. Some see it as a moral faux pas, a self-indulgent act that places the player above the team. Others are more pragmatic, recognizing that these bowl games are ultimately meaningless and risking injury simply isn’t worth lacing them up, especially when they aren’t getting paid.
"I don't agree with this. It sets a bad examples for the kids."
– Donovan McNabb on Christian McCaffrey's decision to sit out the Sun Bowl pic.twitter.com/Gg19pBZp6a
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) December 19, 2016
Twitter folk then reminded McNabb of getting nabbed for two DUIs in 18 months.
Former Big Ten MVP Ezekiel Elliot chimed in as well:
All these young guys deciding to skip their bowl games 🤔.I would do anything to play one more time with my brothers in that scarlet and gray
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) December 19, 2016
One last time to honor your university and one last chance to play with your boys who will be your brothers for life.
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) December 19, 2016
After Zeke sent out these tweets, he was reminded that he bailed for the NFL before his season season at OSU. To which he responded:
And there is a difference between not coming back for your last year and not finishing your last season.
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) December 19, 2016
My bad though I didn't realize they were already battling injuries. So I guess it makes sense.
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) December 19, 2016
I just know how much I loved my university and the guys I played with. My last game was the most memorable moment from my college career.
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) December 19, 2016
Former NFL QB, now ESPN analyst Danny Kanell:
I hate this trend of players bailing on their teammates for bowl game but I get it. Really complicated issue. No easy answer.
— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) December 19, 2016
Of course this move will be applauded by most because we live in "me first" culture now. The days of playing for your team sadly going away.
— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) December 19, 2016
Former Ohio State QB Kirk Herbstreit:
While I get players skipping their bowl game-what happened to LOVING the GAME & wanting to compete 1 more time w/ your boys-Disturbing trend
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) December 19, 2016
Former Tennessee wide receiver and first-round draft pick Donte Stallworth relayed an interesting story that encapsulated his views on the situation:
My freshman year at UT we won the SEC championship vs Miss State. As the #1 team in the nation we would matchup vs #2, Florida State.
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) December 19, 2016
Our offensive coordinator, David Cutcliffe, had been one of the best in the country, grooming a young Peyton Manning to become #1 draft pick
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) December 19, 2016
Our offensive coordinator, David Cutcliffe, had been one of the best in the country, grooming a young Peyton Manning to become #1 draft pick
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) December 19, 2016
That job would be delegated to RB coach/recruiting coordinator, Randy Sanders, who had never been a play-caller before the biggest game EVER
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) December 19, 2016
Players were nervous about this situation right before the national championship, but we all understood and wished Coach Cut well.
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) December 19, 2016
There were tears, hugs, and congrats all around.
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) December 19, 2016
Before allowing Coach Cut to speak to the team Coach Fulmer told him as you can see we all love you and want the best for you, but…..
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) December 19, 2016
Coach Fulmer continued, "just know we're gonna kick your ASS if we ever play you!!"
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) December 19, 2016
Everyone laughed and we gave Coach Cut a standing ovation for his services to the university of Tennessee.
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) December 19, 2016
He said his goodbyes, we wished him well, he left for Oxford and we began preparations for the national championship. #LifeGoesOn
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) December 19, 2016
And just in case you were wondering, we won the national championship 🙂 pic.twitter.com/FVVskRndTx
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) December 19, 2016
The moral of this story is….be happy for people when they come up or have the opportunity to do so. Don't hate, congratulate.
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) December 19, 2016
Some miscellaneous hot takes:
Calling Christian McCaffrey a quitter for skipping an exhibition game to prepare for his career is the height of just not getting it.
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) December 19, 2016
Sad that Christian McCaffrey doesn't want to participate in the rich history of the Sun Bowl. pic.twitter.com/z4GoON612H
— The Pickle (@sportspickle) December 19, 2016
Want Christian McCaffrey to put his college team in front of his career potential? Pay him a share of the millions a bowl system generates.
— Jane McManus (@janesports) December 19, 2016
If Christian McCaffrey got hurt in the bowl game & could never play again, he'd get a tax free $5 million, per his insurance policy.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/12upSport/status/810869531526725632
[h/t Uproxx]