Story Poster
Notre Dame Football

Discuss: Skipping Bowl Games, Right or Wrong?

December 19, 2016
15,116

When does one’s obligation to their team end?

Some would say never, but most would agree certainly not before the end of one’s career or at least season.

But in what could end up becoming a trend of sorts, a pair of high-profile running backs have announced they will not be participating in bowl games in order to begin preparations for the NFL Draft early.

Last week, LSU running back Leonard Fournette announced he would’t play in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl against Louisville on New Year’s Eve.

Fournette has dealt with a banged-up ankle all season, which caused him to miss five games this season. After announcing he would skip his final year of college ball, he is expected to be one of the top picks in the NFL Draft.

On Monday morning, Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey announced he will be following Fournette’s lead and will skip the Cardinal’s Sun Bowl next Friday against North Carolina.

McCaffrey, who is also skipping his senior season in Palo Alto to head to the NFL, has dealt with nagging injuries all year, but they only forced him to miss one game, the contest against Notre Dame in South Bend, and he carried the ball 30 times in Stanford’s regular season finale against Rice, so his situation is a bit different than Fournette’s.

Are they quitters? Are they letting their teammates down?

Or given the terrible situation that Jaylon Smith went through last season, are they just making the best long-term decision for themselves and their families?

Discuss.

Discussion from...

Discuss: Skipping Bowl Games, Right or Wrong?

14,302 Views | 22 Replies | Last: 7 yr ago by SHAMROCK
gniemann
How long do you want to ignore this user?
I understand why Fournette would skip, it's a meaningless bowl. He is already a Top 10 pick. I think it's sheer arrogance in CM's part though. Personally I wouldn't think he'd be a first Rd pick.
chrismcc7
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Staff
Personally, I understand their decisions and wouldn't "slam" either for making what they clearly to believe to be the best decisions for themselves long-term.

I also agree that most of these bowl games can be seen as meaningless exhibitions.

That being said, I'm not sure what kind of message it really sends to the program and the teammates.

I'm not one of those "slippery slope" guys, but once Notre Dame lost to Duke, couldn't all of the remaining games be seen as just as "meaningless" in some ways as bowl games. What would the response have been if DeShone Kizer decided to sit out the rest of the season?

I understand that's an extreme case and I understand the response would be different.

In the end, I understand their decisions. If I was their teammate, me personally, I would probably be even more on their side since I would want them best for them even more. But I think it can put a program in a bit of a sticky situation in terms of what's important and when exactly the individual becomes more important than the team.
D8NDomer
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Until and unless college teams drop the student-athlete moniker, isn't the purpose of education preparation for a career? So whatever best prepares one for a career is best for the individual.

Since most of the bowl games are mere exhibitions it is entirely up to the individual to participate. If the team is in a playoff it is another matter.

Was Bill Gates disloyal for leaving Harvard before graduation? I think not.
chrismcc7
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Staff
Dlogistics
How long do you want to ignore this user?
This will change the landscape of college sports. I have said if players want to get paid, they need to make a big statement. I always thought a team would be that statement, a top team boycotting a final 4 game or so on.

I have read how collecting insurance money has been difficult for players who have suffered injuries. Maybe this changes it.

Maybe players get paid for bowl games? Percentage of season revenue divided up amongst the teammates. Would that cash even matter though?

I personally believe the players receive enough compensation as is and have no clue how good they have it.
CaptainReasonable
How long do you want to ignore this user?
I do not have a problem with guys that will be leaving for the draft not playing in non playoff bowls. They are meaningless exhibitions. How interesting would it be to see the next man in (following years projected starter) instead as a preview for next season? Isn't that what we got with Zaire vs. LSU? What if we had gotten Bowl eligible? I would rather see Kiser sit and play Wimbush. Kizer potentially going first round does more for the program and we get to watch the next crop.
Who cares about winning the Aloha Bowl or anything else like that? The school gets the money either way and many fans complain about the lower tier Bowls. Let's make it's a win win for the student, fans, and school.
chrismcc7
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Staff
TornisODaly
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Jaylon Smith.

He lost millions by blowing out his knee by playing in a meaningless game. I love that he played but I fully understand why they are skipping the game.

If it were the playoffs I'd have a more difficult time with it.
westernd
How long do you want to ignore this user?
D8NDomer said:

Until and unless college teams drop the student-athlete moniker, isn't the purpose of education preparation for a career? So whatever best prepares one for a career is best for the individual.

Since most of the bowl games are mere exhibitions it is entirely up to the individual to participate. If the team is in a playoff it is another matter.

Was Bill Gates disloyal for leaving Harvard before graduation? I think not.
Depends: Did Bill Gates walk out of Harvard in the middle of a large group project in which 100 or so other people were depending on him? Did Bill Gates make a commitment to go to Harvard in exchange for free tuition?
gofightwinnd
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Don't like it at all. Certainly a product of the times, and not a good trend.
irishcheesehead
How long do you want to ignore this user?
The bowls are meaningless exhibition games, save for the 3 playoff games.

These kids are making million dollar dicisions...Jaylon Smith is all one of these NFL bound players need to point to in making their point.

Perhaps this may lead to eliminating some of the meaningless bowls. I would say if the player elects not to play, he's not allowed to travel with the team and recieve a free "vacation".

Though I can understand a Bowls position of feeling snubbed.
ndtone04
How long do you want to ignore this user?
I don't think it is wrong for these athletes to skip given the current level of commitment each actor has to be other. in General the schools are rarely looking out for the athletes personal best interest so why does the athlete owe it to the school to do the same.

It would be interesting if school were to pay athletes are they then obligated to play
northirish
How long do you want to ignore this user?
chrismcc7 said:


Couldn't agree more. Why do we look at players with a different standard when coaches are looking out for their best interests.
chrismcc7
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Staff
mmenzie
How long do you want to ignore this user?
I think the coach analogy is not a good comparison here. Coaches don't skip bowl games to prepare for their next job. They often aren't allowed to coach for thier previous school because their loyalty is divided and the program wants somebody in that role who will put full effort into recruiting for the school for next year and beyond.
Classof88
How long do you want to ignore this user?
I support these decisions 100%.

I'm sure Jaylon Smith wishes he could go back and sit out our Fiesta Bowl.

The bowls are about money, so why shouldn't these players consider their future earning potential?

chrismcc7
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Staff
If it's OK with his teammates, it's OK with me.

mnewlon
How long do you want to ignore this user?
I am ok with this decision. Not a part of the team's regular season schedule, already leaving for the NFL, risk of injury, all else that has been stated already.

There is a difference to me though in regards to players checking out after say a loss to Duke. At that point, they are still obligated to play for the University. If they want to skip regular season games, then prorate their tuition/room and board and have them pony up the balance.
corbech
How long do you want to ignore this user?
I don't like the part of him letting his teammates down by not playing but how can you fault a kid for trying not to get hurt in a meaningless game. I think he's making the right decision. Hopefully this upends the whole ridiculous bowl system too. There is no reason to play 90% of these meaningless games. Long gone are the days where New Year's Day bowl games meant something and settled the debate about who is number 1. More importantly for ND, u have to wonder if the (coming) demise of the bowls brings it into a conference (to share in $) given the current attitude among the Admin towards riding the cash cow might leave it on the outside looking in.
ohiondfan
How long do you want to ignore this user?
The system is broken. I don't think we are too far from first-round-talent guys skipping their entire 3rd year of college. Why risk it, when you can only drop in the draft and perhaps get hurt?
brmaly
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Money is all that matters. Ruining all sports. I agree with what he's doing. There is no downside for him.
SHAMROCK
How long do you want to ignore this user?
They should give a portion of their scholarship money back to the school.

How many kids would be dying to play for LSU or Stanford in a bowl game but could not get one of the limited number of scholarships.

Also, didn't Jones essentially sit out Navy. I didn't like that one bit.

And, coaches don't get compensated by the school if they leave to coach elsewhere. These kids are still getting their scholarship, tuition, room and board, per diem, and probably use of coaching and facilities to prepare for Combine, pro day etc ....

Refresh
Page 1 of 1
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.