Vols Defensive Back Gives His Take On The Fournette/McCaffrey Decisions
By Zach Ragan
The debate of the day on Monday revolved around Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey’s decision to sit out their team’s respective bowl games. One Vols player added his opinion on Monday.
If you’ve been anywhere near social media on Monday, then you’re well aware that Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey announced his decision to join LSU running back Leonard Fournette in skipping their team’s bowl games.
Both players are declaring early for the 2017 NFL Draft.
The decisions by both players have caused a great debate on Twitter/Facebook. Some folks view the players as quitting on the team, while others understand the business aspect of it.
I happen to fall in the latter group, as does Tennessee Vols defensive back Rashaan Gaulden.
Vols DB Rashaan Gaulden on Fournette/McCaffrey: "It's business decisions that's best for them and their families." (I agree.)
— Patrick Brown (@pbrown247) December 19, 2016
I think he’s on point here.
Obviously we’d all love to see stars play in their final collegiate game. But we’re not the ones banking on a huge contract based on our draft position.
All it takes is one fluke injury to severely impact draft position.
Is a bowl game worth missing out on millions?
I think most folks would agree no.
Look, neither of these players are quitting on their team. No more than Butch Jones quit on Cincinnati when he agreed to become Tennessee’s head coach and left Steve Stripling to coach the Bearcats in their bowl game.
And that’s just one example of a coach not coaching in a bowl game. That happens with nearly every coaching change.
McCaffrey and Fournette get one chance at a rich rookie contract. They’ve spent a lot of years playing football as amateurs. They’re both extremely talented guys and they deserve the chance to get paid to play the game to which they’ve given so much.
It’s easy for fans and writers to cast judgement, but until any of us have been in that situation, it’s impossible to know the full weight of their decisions.
And by the way, McCaffrey’s teammates don’t seem to have an issue with his decision.
The whole team supports @CMccaffrey5 in everything and anything. Hes been a leader to this team through the easy times and tough times.
— Trenton Irwin (@trenton_4) December 19, 2016
I think we can all agree to put this to rest now.
Next: Former Vols Assistant Coach Named Jaguars Interim Head Coach
Fournette and McCaffrey are both expected to be first round picks in the 2017 NFL Draft.