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Eli Drinkwitz finds himself in hot water regarding his recent comments on NIL in college football. Those remarks, while taken out of context, have resulted in immediate backlash for the Missouri head coach.
He’s now defending his words to national media outlets, posting his entire quote online for the world to see.
The comments were actually made in response to a question about gambling as we’ve seen a number of college programs linked to recent investigations for potential involvement by players and coaches. Most notably in the SEC, Alabama baseball coach Brad Bohannon was fired in connection to suspicious activity at an Ohio sportsbook.
While answering that question, he mentioned that college athletes are making more money than ever before with the introduction of NIL. He compared those payments to the salary of his brother in-law, who happens to be a pediatrician. The comment has now been circulating online.
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz says college players, thru NIL, are making more money than his brother-in-law, who is a pediatrician. “He saves lives.”
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) May 30, 2023
Those in the sports media have been quick to post reactions. They note that Drinkwitz, too, makes more money than his brother-in-law despite not saving any lives on the football field.
The responses have been flooding timelines.
Eli Drinkwitz will make $6 million dollars this year. How many lives is he saving? https://t.co/VDFCV9kOhV
— Nick de la Torre (@delatorre) May 30, 2023
And Eli Drinkwitz who coaches college kids throwing a ball around makes more money this his life saving brother-in-law
Funny how coaches never seem to complain about that https://t.co/oYFSSuCJJr
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) May 30, 2023
And Eli Drinkwitz is paid millions to coach football while teachers, fire fighters, & nurses devote their lives to others and get paid minimal salaries. https://t.co/GNRv82SHpr
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) May 30, 2023
Drinkwitz even received a recent extension despite having never posted a winning record at Missouri.
Eli Drinkwitz makes $6 million per year and has never had more than six wins so https://t.co/aG5zRgDKAP
— Jane Coaston (@janecoaston) May 30, 2023
Others were quick to pile on with their responses.
*Googles Eli Drinkwitz, salary* https://t.co/7QpffOjlVz
— Collyn Taylor (@collyntaylor) May 30, 2023
Eli Drinkwitz and his brother-in-law when the check comes at dinner. pic.twitter.com/qBm3db0bSD
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) May 30, 2023
While many were lambasting the coach, Drinkwitz would go on to defend his comments.
He posted a tweet from his personal Twitter account to inform social media users of his quote in its entirety.
“Full context of question and answer. I am no way complaining about player compensation! I’m FULLY SUPPORTIVE!! Always have been!” that message read.
Unfortunately, the damage has already been done.