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Debate This is a recurring series on HerLoyalSons in which two writers take opposing sides on a hot topic. Today and tomorrow, we will debate whether or not Jaylon Smith should have played in the Fiesta Bowl. Today, IrishJimmy leads us through the “he should have skipped it” argument. Tomorrow, andrewwinn takes the other side.
Jaylon Smith should have skipped the Fiesta Bowl because it was far more important for him to stay healthy and protect his financial future than it was to win a meaningless bowl game.
MONEY LOST
In a Feb. 19 interview, ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. said:
To get anything out of Jaylon Smith this year would be a surprise. But this is a kid, unlike Cedric Ogbuchi last year, or even Todd Gurley — you can make an argument that Jaylon Smith is the best player in this draft.
Smith tore his ACL and LCL and suffered nerve damage during the first quarter of the Battlefrog Fiesta Bowl. Had he skipped the bowl and stayed healthy, Smith could have been the top overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Jared Goff, the actual first pick, will sign a $27.9 million contract – all guaranteed – with an $18.5 million signing bonus.
Smith dropped to the fourth pick of the second round and will sign a contract estimated to be worth $6.5 million, with a $2.9 million signing bonus. He’ll also capitalize on a loss-of-value insurance policy worth $900,000, which is not subject to taxation.
If these numbers are accurate, Smith’s injury cost him as much as $21.4 million.
MEANINGLESS GAME
Smith’s injury could be the impetus for high profile stars to skip essentially bowl games that are essentially meaningless in the playoff era. If this is the case, the players who opt not to play couldn’t be more right.
Jaylon Smith is a perfect example. The linebacker was not going to return to Notre Dame to play his senior year, so why play in a bowl game that has zero national championship implications?
Sure, people will say all the right things. As athletes – or, in my case, former athletes – were are conditioned from a young age to finish what we have started. Some will argue that college players have an obligation to the team and the university.
However, we are well past the point of blasting athletes who leave college early for the NFL. Although they may not like it, most people understand that these athletes have a ton of money at stake.
There was an era when Notre Dame would not play in a bowl game unless it could significantly improve the final ranking. In this day and age, though, almost every college participates in a bowl game regardless of ranking.
Imagine if Smith has suffered this catastrophic injury in the Quick Lane Bowl, playing for a 6-6 Notre Dame team. Perhaps even more people would make the suggestion that players should avoid these games.
Most colleges enter these games simply for the bowl payout, of which nothing goes to the player. And don’t forget: It isn’t the bowl game that poses the only risk. Most coaches who advocate for accepting a bowl bid do so because it entitles them to 15 additional practices. That, in essence, amounts to 15 more opportunities to have a devastating injury.
BLAMING COACHES IS MISPLACED
https://twitter.com/BartHubbuch/status/726108303877660672
https://twitter.com/BartHubbuch/status/726111324451799041
https://twitter.com/BartHubbuch/status/726115630118801408
With all the above being said, I don’t blame the coaches for this situation. Bart Hubbuch, the New York Post columnist who publicly blasted Brian Kelly for playing Smith, is, at best, naïve and, at worst, pointing the finger in the wrong direction.
Coaches are employed and retained purely for winning percentage. No coach has ever saved a job because of a high graduation rate, team GPA or lack of player injuries. They have to win. As such, they should be purely evaluated on win-loss record.
The responsibility for this issue falls squarely on the NCAA. If the NCAA cares about the “kids” as much as they claim to, they should foot the bill to insure potential high draft picks prior to bowl game participation.
Some schools out there don’t even guarantee scholarships for four years. Conceivably, it’s possible a underclassman could have a career-ending injury in a meaningless bowl game and later find themselves without a scholarship.
While it paints me to think that high-profile Notre Dame players may skip these games in the future, I truly believe they have every right to do so. In fact, a projected Top 5 pick would be foolish, in my mind, to play.
Players would be wise to view Jaylon Smith’s injury as a cautionary tale on the downside of bowl game participation.
- Restoring Faith in College Athletics - April 3, 2018
- Notre Dame and the Citrus Bowl…Heck Yeah! - December 6, 2017
- Looking for Answers in Another November Meltdown - November 27, 2017
Using this logic; at what point in the season should Jaylon have quit the team and started training for the combine?
I think you’re going to like tomorrow’s piece, because I address that very point.
As soon as Mel Kiper/ Todd McShay say so…
…apparently.
I guess Bart has never been a part of a team. Yes players will play in bowl games, Injury is part of the game. Jaylon is a great player and would never leave his teammates hanging. A meaning less game that brought millions of dollars to Notre Dame to pay for equipment, facilities and a top notch education. Coach Kelly has no control over ACL & MCL injuries outside of his own body. All ND fans know that knee injuries happen, especially after last season.
Agree. Might the NCAA look at protecting the players for Bowl games?
In which way? Bowl games are no different than any other game, the bowl $$$$ is the only difference. Injuries can happen in spring games too. When it comes to protecting players, what can the NCAA do? Maybe the NCAA should be setting some $$$ aside to deal with any Concussions. That is a lot more serious than knee injuries. Have a claim process in place to deal with it.
The best thing the NCAA can do is to turn the scholarships into a 4 yr deal for the players regardless of injuries. Let the young men finish their education, so if they do get injured they have something to fall back on after football. Too many teams grey shirt, oversign or pull scholarships for players that give their word to play for a school.
I agree on the scholarships. I pointed that out in my article. A player could be injured in a game and lose a scholarship over that injury. That is wrong in my opinion.
Would
Would you take 21 million dollars to not write tomorrow’s follow up article?
I’m not writing tomorrow’s article. Can I give you my bank account and social security number so you can wire the $21MM?
So Mr. Hubbard, what about the age old wisdom that football is more than a game, even athletics as a whole, in that they teach lessons about life. Oh wait, they do, “I got mine, see ya”
Though I don’t like it, Juniors do it all the time.
Part of the tragedy is the injury occurred after the play was dead, most probably on purpose. What’s the liability to the OS player responsible? A big zip!
Given the force required to move Jaylon Smith, I’d say unequivocally that the action was on purpose. On the other hand, post-whistle activity occurs after EVERY play, and it rarely results in an injury, let alone one of a freak nature. I’m not sure what liability you expect the referees or others to mete out…sometimes accidents happen, and while we can determine how/why Jaylon’s injury happened, that doesn’t mean that fault can be similarly applied.
Using this articles logic we should all stay home and hide if something bad could happen to us because tomorrow could be a better day. Stupid article.
Better example might be pro sports contracts completely limit what you are allowed to do. For example, some outlaw skiing, boxing, etc. Reason….they are more dangerous than hiding in your house. Players that are going to be Top 5-10 picks will begin thinking about this!!
this topic should not even be discussed…….with all due respect sir, there is never such a thing as a meaningless ND football game to any of those players once they put on that gold helmet….that is why you play the game of football for the team and not yourself……if you can’t think TEAM, then go sign-up for golf, or any other individual sport…….
I think you missed the point. This can and will be discussed. As time goes forward players will opt out of these games. They may sugarcoat this but especially guys who know they are not returning will sit. It does not mean it is right but, in this day and age too much money is in play. As I said, earlier…when does your loyalty to the team Stop…..is it after you decide to leave? Is the junior who leaves early disloyal? BTW people stopped playing for the team long ago….again doesn’t make it right.
Cough…..CJ Procise…..Cough.