The Syracuse football team unfortunately won’t be represented during bowl season. But a recent trend has raised an interesting hypothetical for SU fans to consider.
While as stated the Syracuse football team won’t be appearing at any bowl games this season. That’s probably because they don’t have a choice, but several players have the choice and are opting out.
The controversy started a few weeks ago when Oklahoma defensive tackle, Charles Walker, opted out. Although in fairness with his concussion history and negative outlook of returning this season that may be an exception to the controversy.
Nonetheless it started the conversation. But the next two prominent players don’t have that excuse. Future first round picks, Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey, are deciding to focus on the NFL Draft rather than participate in their team’s exhibition game.
Which begs the question, should players skip their team’s bowl game? Lets explore both sides of the argument.
Namely we must start with the reason this is even a conversation. We as humans are terrible
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people, we have to wait for something tragic for something to change. While this example is on a much smaller scale in terms of global meaning, it’s still relevant.
What was supposed to be a top-five pick draft pick, turned into a mid-second round pick. Jaylon Smith LB for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish had everything locked in. Right up until he played in the Tostitos’ Fiesta Bowl.
He ended up tearing several ligaments and caused possible long-term nerve damage to his knee that he may never fully recover from. In the infamous words of Ricky Watters, for who for what?
That’s exactly what Fournette and McCaffrey are asking themselves after committing their bodies, blood, sweat, and tears to the game for three+ years. These aren’t paid athletes, although they’re receiving a free education.
The Generation-X people that I’ve spoken too are highly upset that players would “give up” on their schools and leave them high-and-dry. While I hadn’t given this much thought until McCaffrey said thanks but no thanks to Stanford.
Literally McCafrrey is over 50% of his team’s offense + he returns kicks. Now the Stanford offense has to fend for itself without its best player.
It’s such a complex dynamic for so many different reasons. Another thing that gave me pause before making a decision is what Ezekiel Elliott said and it really resonated with me because I played high school football.
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
Those years of football were the greatest moments of my life. My teammates became my brothers for life and the camaraderie we had can’t be replicated.
But ultimately if players aren’t getting paid by the sponsors that pay millions to the University, they shouldn’t be required to play a bonus game that can’t help their draft stock all that much. That’s what I think anyway, but it’s an interesting debate, what say you #OrangeNation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!