The Opt Out. Why analyst and commentators shouldn’t chastise players who skip bowl games.

This morning I heard Kirk Herbstreit, a voice I deeply respect chastise collegiate football players for opting out of non CFP bowl games. He questioned their commitment and love for the game, basically stating that the “new generation” of football players are soft and in it for the money. This rhetoric has been talked about and repeated over and over again and quite frankly, I am sick of it.

I love the game of football. I played football and I was horrible at it. I worked hard, did my best but for a multitude of reasons, including the fact I have no talent meant my career never surpassed high school. If I had the opportunity to play in the Rose Bowl, I would. However there’s a reason I don’t have that opportunity. I will never know what its like to grind away for years to earn a scholarship or opportunity. To commit every second of my life in college to football. While I was partying and sleeping in, these players pushed their bodies, minds and souls to the limit. I also will never know what its like to have millions of dollars dangling in front of me. I grew up very fortunate. I will not try to hide my upbringing to make myself seem like I came from nothing. I am a very fortunate man. I can’t say the same for these players. NFL money has the ability to elevate families out of generational poverty, I’m not saying every draftee grew up in less than ideal situations but the NFL improves most. There are a lot of families that have been poor or lower middle class in the United States since the end of the Civil War if not from before. These young men, who sweat and toil should not put the success of their families in the way of a meaningless game. Though football has a deep and cherished history, rewritten everyday, the game does not determine if you can afford to eat or not. It doesn’t pay for housing or medical. It won’t care if your dreams end on that glorious field.

Let’s talk about the money. For some reason, there’s been an incredible opposition to collegiate players receiving financial compensation for their services. Almost like the players owe the universities for scholarships offered. Scholarships that can be revoked at anytime if the player is unable to physically perform. Almost as if it’s the guidelines of a normal job. Unlike a normal job, college athletics doesn’t offer PTO, sick leave, family leave or any of those safety nets. Just a full ride scholarship. Now I know what most of you are thinking. A full ride scholarship is priceless. Room and board, free education, supplies and such. It is a lot but these players pull in way more money then what’s being paid to them in scholarship money. Ohio State made around 52 million dollars last year. Every FBS team is allowed to have 85 players on scholarship. That roughly totals around $670,588 dollars in revenue generated per scholarship player. That’s per year and keep in mind that 2020 was a COVID year affecting tickets sales and other in person revenue sources. A four-year scholarship is worth around $150,000 dollars. That means football players, if they play all four years generate over 2.5 million dollars in profit each of the university so no, they don’t owe anybody anything. If anything, they’ve paid back their scholarships and then some through the product they put on the field. Also NY6 bowl games offer massive payouts, for example in the 2019 Rose Bowl, Washington and Ohio State were both offered 40 million to play in the game. Just a quick reminder that the players, you know the ones putting their bodies on the line don’t make a cent. Whatever clothing and possible watches gifted to the players does not even come close to the money given to coaches, athletic directors and school presidents.

The best example is Giants linebacker Jaylon Smith. In his junior year at Norte Dame, Smith was a projected top 5 player. However in the Fiesta Bowl, Smith tore both his ACL and LCL requiring surgery. His draft stock fell and he went from top 5 pick to falling to the Cowboys in the second round. Smith was given a 4 year, 6.49 million dollar contract with 4.42 million guaranteed. In fact, Smith was lucky he didn’t drop further as he had to miss his entire rookie season due to rehabilitation and was only selected by the Cowboys because he was operated on by Cowboy’s doctor Dan Cooper, thus the Cowboys had better health information come draft day. Oh by the way the fifth pick in the draft was Jalen Ramsey who made 22.90 million is guaranteed money on a four year deal. Also there’s no insurance policy offered by universities or bowl sponsors in case you get hurt so if you suffer a career ending injury, good luck is about the best you’re gonna get.

I could go on about the money schools are making and health but I want to talk about Herbstreit’s comments. He said this and was supported by college football legend Desmond Howard. Kirk Herbstreit never player or signed to play in the NFL and in Desmond Howard’s final game, Michigan was competing for a National title. Also Howard’s NFL career earnings do not come close to the money current first rounders make so neither of them have been in the situation that current players are in. Also they played in the Rose Bowl. Not the Rose Bowl presented by Citi bank or Capitol One, not some sponsorship filled event where everyone is earning a dollar but them. They played in the actual game, as simple and special as it used to be. However that’s not what bothers me. To insinuate the current player doesn’t love the game or doesn’t work hard. That they’re not gym rats, that they’re not devoted to the game is straight bullshit. I apologize for strong language but I could not find the words to properly express how I feel. It is so hard to make it to college as a football player, especially now. With accessible film and websites like Hudl and the AIR app. With 24/7 giving out stars and ranking to players, you have to go above and beyond for the game. These players put their bodies on the line and hearts on their sleeve for the game. You don’t make it this far unless you are completely invested in football. You don’t grind from pee-wee or high school because you’re good at it. Everyone at this level is good, the love and passion invested into your craft makes you great, makes you a first rounder and if these kids don’t want to throw the prospect of their futures away for your money grab, that doesn’t make them soft or less of a man. It makes them smart. Notice how no team in the history of the CFB playoff has ever had a single player opt out because of the draft. That’s because winning matters to them. Winning a championship matters to them. Winning the Duke’s Mayo bowl does not. Players don’t grind to dump mayonnaise on their coach. They grind to win championships, you know the same championship you make millions talking about every week. We don’t criticize coaches for leaving their program for a better job, we don’t criticize programs for abandoning their conferences for better opportunities. The question I have is why do you hate on kids for trying to make something of themselves? Isn’t that the whole point of college? Or do you just hate because they can skip out on moments you could never reach? Whatever it is, I suggest whomever criticizes these players take a good look at yourself as ask why are you so upset? All I know is that the money these players are making is gonna go to improve communities and help people. There’s a reason why thirty-two men are nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award and trust me, non of those sponsors or universities had anything to do with it.

Let the players be and move on. That’s all.