Players skipping bowl game

[justford]

Been seeing that players from various teams won't participate in bowl games. Are there any UK players that might choose to do this?
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[40bill]

Just fan chatter. Coach says he expects everybody to play.

Medium chatter of Bennie sitting it out, but 108 yards from the record don't think so.
Anyone likely would be Josh Allen. A top 5 slot doesn't come along often.

[Matt Dillon]

No one should blame the ones that are looking at a pro career. One wrong hit, and it could all go up in smoke.

[KevinHall]

Before I go out I want to say this this, that if a player decides not to play then its nothing more than quitting on his team. If I were an NFL person that would be a huge red flag to me about the persons dedication to the game.

[Catsrock]

No one should blame the ones that are looking at a pro career. One wrong hit, and it could all go up in smoke.

Each to his own Matt. And I'm sure you know I disagree since you started the "Bowl Game" thread where a few of us have discussed this.

[Matt Dillon]

Each to his own Matt. And I'm sure you know I disagree since you started the "Bowl Game" thread where a few of us have discussed this.

At least you and I can respectfully disagree, unlike some that post on WCN (I'm not necessarily talking about the fb forums either). I can see both sides of the coin. As one who has been a dedicated fan since 1954, I want the Cats to win every game they play. I know we have a much better chance if Josh and Benny play. Therefore, part of me wants them to play. On the other hand, as I previously stated, if they choose not to, I can understand that as well. As far as what they should do, I think they should play. They are receiving benefits to play fb for UK and until they quit, graduate or leave early for the NFL, they are a part of the team and the bowl game is part of the team's schedule for this season. Someone mentioned insurance. I don't know how you determine the amount of money a Josh Allen could earn from a pro career when he's never played a down in the NFL. Also, I would imagine the premium would be a hefty sum. Can someone, in his life, afford it? To me, it's not cut and dried.

[JFCats22]

Before I go out I want to say this this, that if a player decides not to play then its nothing more than quitting on his team. If I were an NFL person that would be a huge red flag to me about the persons dedication to the game.

This is dumb. Plain and simple.

You think Josh Allen who is a top 10 pick and would have somewhere between $20-30 million guaranteed is quitting on his team by not risking getting hurt in a game that doesn't mean anything? He has nothing to gain and everything to lose.

He would be a fool to risk it and no one in the NFL would hold it against him at all.

[Lighthouse]

Before I go out I want to say this this, that if a player decides not to play then its nothing more than quitting on his team. If I were an NFL person that would be a huge red flag to me about the persons dedication to the game.

This statement is absolutely true and in my mind the only way to think about this issue. Kids and their schools make a commitment to each other and in our case that commitment has worked out well so far, and for either party to renege on their commitment would be a total selfish act. Football is a risk every time a player goes on the field to play a game or practice, and they know it.

[40bill]

To be honest, I don't think I've seen Josh or Benny take one play off, much less a game.
those two have a fire in them .... Maybe because they WERE underdeveloped or overlooked when they came.
It's really all up to them, but I kinda think you would have to chain them down to keep them from playing.

[JFCats22]

This statement is absolutely true and in my mind the only way to think about this issue. Kids and their schools make a commitment to each other and in our case that commitment has worked out well so far, and for either party to renege on their commitment would be a total selfish act. Football is a risk every time a player goes on the field to play a game or practice, and they know it.

I think you would feel very different if your child or grandchild had $30+ million riding on it.

I hope he plays, I love Allen. One of my favorites to ever play at UK. I would simply not blame him a bit though if he decided not to risk it.

[Dwight Schrute]

Have to think these guys will probably play - it's hard to criticize if they don't though. If the NCAA would let these guys take out loans for risk policies I'd feel a bit differently, but if Josh Allen is risking 30 million playing a bowl game, I'll be disappointed but can't blame these guys too much. None of us has the right to criticize someone in that position.

[Westtncat]

I think you would feel very different if your child or grandchild had $30+ million riding on it.

I hope he plays, I love Allen. One of my favorites to ever play at UK. I would simply not blame him a bit though if he decided not to risk it.

So here is my question. Why did they play in the Louisville game? Or the game before? They have had NFL rumblings for some time, why risk it for any game?

[Dwight Schrute]

So here is my question. Why did they play in the Louisville game? Or the game before? They have had NFL rumblings for some time, why risk it for any game?

Because there's an enormous difference in a bowl game versus a regular season rivalry game.

[Dwight Schrute]

This statement is absolutely true and in my mind the only way to think about this issue. Kids and their schools make a commitment to each other and in our case that commitment has worked out well so far, and for either party to renege on their commitment would be a total selfish act. Football is a risk every time a player goes on the field to play a game or practice, and they know it.

Hogwash. That commitment can be broken at any time by the school for many reasons.

[DA#23]

Because there's an enormous difference in a bowl game versus a regular season rivalry game.

I think that takes away from the argument you've presented, which I agree with. There's an enormous difference to fans, as well as to the program secondary to wins and the implications from a nicer bowl should they win ($$$$). Also to Stoops and company with career implications and again with money.

But to Josh Allen? Any enormous difference would be purely subjective. The money doesn't change if he sat out of the UL game as well, if that's the most important factor here.

With that said, I'll be very surprised if any of our players sit out this opportunity against Penn State .