McCaffrey joins Fournette, neither are playing in their school's Bowl games

Fournette, McCaffrey pave way for great college players to skip a full season

After what happened to McGhee, I'm shocked it has taken this long for this to happen. It costs Myles Jack MILLIONS of dollars last year (and in the years to come) and that is IF he can get back on the field. Both players have stated that they are going to by pass playing in their final Bowl games.

RBs only have so many years and hits in their bodies, might as well save them for you know, when you get PAID to do it. The NCAA might be the most corrupt and reprehensible organization this side of FIFA! Leonard, you go to go to school here for three years and take classes towards your degree, (meanwhile LSU, the SEC, the NCAA, ESPN, ABC, etc. made millions selling Fournette and all the other NCAA athletes).

The NFL through it's 3 years from HS graduation rule, has set up this free minor league system for themselves. The NCAA makes billons and these kids are routinely exploited and discarded. I for one am glad that finally these two have stood up and said, nope I'm going to make a "business decision" and sit out this Bowl game. Afterall its a meaningless exhibition game. Of course, ESPN will cry foul over this (because its going to hurt their ratings) but it is a very smart thing to do.

I can see more players skipping the final bowl games. I don't see more players skipping entire seasons.

I was having a conversation about this earlier today. It seems the best solution for these types of problems is to do away with college football and have a minor league in its place that has player contracts. With that unlikely to happen, however, we'll continue to see players sitting and fans booing at them as being disloyal.

Honestly, though, which one of us plays in a game where we would risk millions if an injury happens?

It's the smart thing to do, but I don't like it. Think of all their teammates who gave so much all season long only to watch the best player on the team quit on them at the last minute for their own personal interest. I think it sucks. There's no sense of team, loyalty, or competitiveness there. And can't they get insurancy anyway in case they get hurt?

How would you like to see Bennett or Hightower leave the team before the playoffs saying they have earned their money and are preparing for free agency?

Jaylon Smith

NashuaPats said:

It's the smart thing to do, but I don't like it. Think of all their teammates who gave so much all season long only to watch the best player on the team quit on them at the last minute for their own personal interest. I think it sucks. There's no sense of team, loyalty, or competitiveness there. And can't they get insurancy anyway in case they get hurt?

How would you like to see Bennett or Hightower leave the team before the playoffs saying they have earned their money and are preparing for free agency?

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Bennett and Hightower will both GET PAID extra (just like all the other players in the playoffs) to play in those games. All the student athletes get for playing in a Bowl game is some swag.

NashuaPats said:

It's the smart thing to do, but I don't like it. Think of all their teammates who gave so much all season long only to watch the best player on the team quit on them at the last minute for their own personal interest. I think it sucks. There's no sense of team, loyalty, or competitiveness there. And can't they get insurancy anyway in case they get hurt?

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There's probably a bunch of teammates who are secretly happy because that means they will be getting more touches.

NashuaPats said:

How would you like to see Bennett or Hightower leave the team before the playoffs saying they have earned their money and are preparing for free agency?

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The thing is we are only seeing this in meaningless bowl games. We aren't seeing anyone from Alabama or Clemson make the same declaration.

I don't see this as being some sort of epidemic, just a handful of sure fire top rounders who don't need any more exposure skipping the Sun Bowl and Citrus Bowl.

Its a shame but its the smart move. No need to assume the risk if you are basically guaranteed millions of dollars healthy.

If prospects want to get their dollars up kick ass at your pro day or the combine.

If you are a low to mid round projection and from a small school then a bowl game or a east/west bowl is also a good decision.

FreeTedWilliams said:

Bennett and Hightower will both GET PAID extra (just like all the other players in the playoffs) to play in those games. All the student athletes get for playing in a Bowl game is some swag.

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They accepted a scholarship to play the full season and then they quit before the last game. I understand the NCAA is flawed particularly for pro bound athletes, but I think it shows selfishness and lack of character. They signed up for it, have a lot of people counting on them, and then walked away.

Watch both of their backups go off for 200 yards each and drop their draft stock a ton.

Joking aside, I can't blame them. They don't own their schools anything.

NashuaPats said:

It's the smart thing to do, but I don't like it. Think of all their teammates who gave so much all season long only to watch the best player on the team quit on them at the last minute for their own personal interest. I think it sucks. There's no sense of team, loyalty, or competitiveness there. And can't they get insurancy anyway in case they get hurt?

How would you like to see Bennett or Hightower leave the team before the playoffs saying they have earned their money and are preparing for free agency?

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You are comparing professional players who are already paid, to amateurs, who are hoping to GET PAID in the next year, and are OH SO CLOSE, but could get hurt in a exhibiton game. I think it is a great idea for them not to play, if enough do it, then maybe ESPN could PAY them to play for the BILLIONS they make off of them

So what happens in their contract year a few years down the line ? I get it but it factors into whether I want them on the Patriots.

As for paying them, Title 9 would kill that. So many college athletes in non money making sports.

FreeTedWilliams said:

Bennett and Hightower will both GET PAID extra (just like all the other players in the playoffs) to play in those games. All the student athletes get for playing in a Bowl game is some swag.

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Compared to FA money, they play in the playoffs for free. Very little in a relative sense.

MainePatsFan26 said:

I was having a conversation about this earlier today. It seems the best solution for these types of problems is to do away with college football and have a minor league in its place that has player contracts. With that unlikely to happen, however, we'll continue to see players sitting and fans booing at them as being disloyal.

Honestly, though, which one of us plays in a game where we would risk millions if an injury happens?

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Like hockey and baseball. Sme kids are NOT college material and it avoids the sham. College baseball has it right. If you go to college, you can't turn pro for three years so it's either go sign a minor league contract or be a college baseball player for three years.... It avoids the sham of "scholar athletes" or one and done in basketball. I would love to see minor league developmental football in smaller markets......

CheekyDave said:

You are comparing professional players who are already paid, to amateurs, who are hoping to GET PAID in the next year, and are OH SO CLOSE, but could get hurt in a exhibiton game. I think it is a great idea for them not to play, if enough do it, then maybe ESPN could PAY them to play for the BILLIONS they make off of them

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The playoff pay is relatively small. If you are going to be a free agent who will command $10 miilion per, why risk getting hurt in the playoffs? It's very risky for your financial future. That's the point I was making by comparing pro athletes. Of course teams won't like seeing that and won't offer that much, but I bet NFL teams don't like seeing college players skipping bowl games either. Football is the ultimate team game and all players are risking injury. It's the nature of the game.

Look, I get. These bowl games aren't that meaninful to them and it's a risk for them. That said I think it does mean a lot to people connected to the team and they're letting them down. If they wanted to skip the year fine, if you accept the scholarship, I think you have committed yourself to the whole season and the risks that come from playing football.

NashuaPats said:

They accepted a scholarship to play the full season and then they quit before the last game. I understand the NCAA is flawed particularly for pro bound athletes, but I think it shows selfishness and lack of character. They signed up for it, have a lot of people counting on them, and then walked away.

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Every other aspect of the college football system is stacked against the players as the vast majority of them are signing away their young adult years while having almost no leverage and no recourse other than non-participation. To quote many Patriots players --- It's a business... and deals get broken all the time when the risks do not balance the rewards.

FreeTedWilliams said:

Bennett and Hightower will both GET PAID extra (just like all the other players in the playoffs) to play in those games. All the student athletes get for playing in a Bowl game is some swag.

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ohhh $32,000!!!!!!! Said a player in a contract year about to get 10-30 million guarenteed, EVER.

I understand why it's done and if I were in their shoes I'd likely do the same. With that said, there's something about it that rubs me the wrong way.

chasa said:

ohhh $32,000!!!!!!! Said a player in a contract year about to get 10-30 million guarenteed, EVER.

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Safe to say, (2nd contract $$$ minus $32K) is much bigger than 1st contract. Hightower, et al, will be risking more than McCaffrey. I really liked McCaffrey but he is lower on my draft board now.

Like NashuaPats, I get it but it's not a non factor. He has quit on his team.

Interesting quote:


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
@EzekielElliot