Players skipping bowl game

[Westtncat]

I personally have no strong feelings one way or the other. Sure I would like to see everyone play but I totally get not playing as well.

I saw earlier that Allen, West, Edwards and Johnson had accepted to play in the Senior Bowl. My question would be what would anyone's thoughts be if players skipped their teams bowl game then played in that game? Can just as easily blow out a knee in an all star game as in a normal game

If that happened I would be really really confused.

[Catsrock]

SO MUCH of this discussion has hinged upon what games are more meaningful and therefore more important to play in and risk major injury...regular season games--even against lesser opponents--or non-playoff bowl games. BUT when the argument about whether it's acceptable for healthy players to sit out to protect their futures is based on the fact a major injury--no matter how unlikely--could ruin a players financial future he's worked so hard to earn--then in all honesty not even the playoffs are actually important.

Say a Jonah Williams of Alabama--who is projected ahead of Josh and Benny and therefore in line for a bigger contract--were to destroy a knee he'd be just as up the creek as someone in the Music City bowl. A $200 ring isn't going to do him much good if his pro career is gone. Not to mention with the SEC championship game and 2 playoff games his risk of injury is actually 3X that of Josh or Benny. Sure the playoffs are bigger than the Citrus, but the loss would be just as huge.

Of course that scenario hasn't happened yet--but probably eventually will some day. Also those fine with players sitting haven't said there would be anything wrong with that either. After all it is each player's own decision. But so far all such players have put their present situation and their commitment to team above the risk. I still feel all players in "the ultimate team sport" should do the same.

I suspect if Alabama makes the title game next year and Tua sits out as likely the best pro prospect since Andrew Luck or even Elway a lot of people will fault him for it. But Rock--that's totally different! Not the risk part. Even more for a QB taking hits than for a rusher doing the hitting.

[Matt Dillon]

I saw earlier that Allen, West, Edwards and Johnson had accepted to play in the Senior Bowl. My question would be what would anyone's thoughts be if players skipped their teams bowl game then played in that game? Can just as easily blow out a knee in an all star game as in a normal game

Now, that I could not understand a player doing.

[Joneslab]

Not much more I can say. As much sense as it doesn't make to you, its just how I feel. If Snell weren't such a huge part of our offense I might feel different. I would rather watch two teams at full strength that I have followed this year and see them battle it out. To be honest I cant honestly say I will take some sort of stand and refuse to watch the game. It will be more like , If I miss it no biggie. My interest level will plummet. So its not some sort of protest or anything like that, just doesn't hold my interest.

Serious question: are you a Kentucky fan?

Because it seems that you have sort of just a passing interest. I still don't get your take on this and find it completely baffling.

[Westtncat]

Serious question: are you a Kentucky fan?

Because it seems that you have sort of just a passing interest. I still don't get your take on this and find it completely baffling.

Will, its hard to take that question serious even tho you say it is. We have two huge stars on this team. One is the defensive player of the year. Not sure if you know how big a deal that is. The other was basically our offense this year. If those two extremely crucial players do not play. My interest level will not be the same.

Wanting my team to play full strength makes me less of a fan? Im sure this site has a history. I have over 1500 post here and was a member of the old site before it got hacked. I think you can use the power of deduction and answer your own question.

Unless your powers of deduction are....he feels differently than I do about the situation , must not be a fan.

My interest level for the UK team I watched all year again (that I watched all year) is extremely high. If they dont field the same team my level will drop.

Asking someone if they are a UK fan on a UK fan site just seems a little passive aggressive. A little Ricky Bobbyish. With all due respect.

[Joneslab]

Asking someone if they are a UK fan on a UK fan site just seems a little passive aggressive. A little Ricky Bobbyish. With all due respect.

A few folks who've posted here over the years follow other teams. They're definitely interested in UK, but it's kind of a thing that's built on just passing entertainment.

The reason I ask is because I'm still baffled by the argument you're trying to make. Like completely perplexed by it. I know a few guys who sort of watch UK sports but they really don't care that much either way. They're "UK fans" in certain ways but they have other teams too. You mentioned those other forums and I thought you might be a fan of somebody else. No biggie.

[Dwight Schrute]

I am somewhat sensitive to the argument that players who don't play in a bowl game are quitting on their teammates. These guys have been through the trenches all year together and to just let them go out without them...I get that.

But I don't have patience for fans who criticize these guys. They owe us nothing and as much as I hate the decision, I have to respect it because it's not my future on the line.

[surveyor]

I am somewhat sensitive to the argument that players who don't play in a bowl game are quitting on their teammates. These guys have been through the trenches all year together and to just let them go out without them...I get that.

But I don't have patience for fans who criticize these guys. They owe us nothing and as much as I hate the decision, I have to respect it because it's not my future on the line.

Yup. I moreso understand it with football players due to the physicality of the game. I understand it with baseball players, but to a lesser degree. That's my big gripe with the timing of the MLB draft and the college world series.

[UKFBFAN]

How many fans who are trashing an elite player for not playing in a bowl game have, themselves, quit on the team by not renewing season tickets or refusing to come to the stadium. I will NEVER cancel my season tickets...In the past 45 years I have had plenty of reasons. How about you?

[JFCats22]

How many fans who are trashing an elite player for not playing in a bowl game have, themselves, quit on the team by not renewing season tickets or refusing to come to the stadium. I will NEVER cancel my season tickets...In the past 45 years I have had plenty of reasons. How about you?

Being a season ticket holder does not = being a great fan. I know plenty of people who have season tickets to different teams who don't really care all that much about the team.

Things change, financial situations change, kids activities take up more time, kids in college take more money, etc... I had UK basketball season tickets that I decided to give up because of too many family and work related things going on. Pretty sure I am still a UK basketball fan.

[Spiritof96]

Being a season ticket holder does not = being a great fan. I know plenty of people who have season tickets to different teams who don't really care all that much about the team.

Things change, financial situations change, kids activities take up more time, kids in college take more money, etc... I had UK basketball season tickets that I decided to give up because of too many family and work related things going on. Pretty sure I am still a UK basketball fan.

I don't think UKFBFAN was referring to those who canceled season tickets due to changing financial priorities, but rather the numerous UK fans who have at times walked away from supporting the team for various reasons. It's a fair observation.

[surveyor]

I don't think UKFBFAN was referring to those who canceled season tickets due to changing financial priorities, but rather the numerous UK fans who have at times walked away from supporting the team for various reasons. It's a fair observation.

This

[Lighthouse]

I had to cancel my season tickets due to health reasons, but you can bet I'm still as much a Kentucky Fan now as I ever was. And, if any player decides to skip the bowl game I'm not gonna like it, and it's OK if I don't. I'm my own person, and just because my thoughts don't agree with yours, doesn't make either of us wrong or bad, it just makes us different.

[Catsrock]

How many fans who are trashing an elite player for not playing in a bowl game have, themselves, quit on the team by not renewing season tickets or refusing to come to the stadium. I will NEVER cancel my season tickets...In the past 45 years I have had plenty of reasons. How about you?

I am certainly glad we have fans who stick with our team through thick and thin. Thank you and a lot of the posters on this board for that. Personally I make it to games when I can. If I lived closer that would be even more often. It also costs a lot more for my family of 5 than it used to for just myself. But what is the correlation in that and being part of a team for a given season? I am not an elite level athlete but have participated in team sports and felt a commitment to be there when my team is in action.

[Joneslab]

I think UKFBFAN makes a fair point but I will say that I've met many huge fans who've never been to a game live. They might live out of state, might not have the money, whatever. But they still support the team the best way they can.

I do think this season has to've been special for the folks who stuck with the team for years and years and who held on to their season tickets when so many were giving them away. Those fans who just did not quit even when things looked very bleak for this program. How sweet would it be for those people to see Kentucky beat Florida and get 9 wins and land a New Year's Day bowl? Those people are the lifeblood of UK football and I'm so happy for them.

I love the team but I'm not in that group, sadly. I've been to five or six UK football games ever. I watch as I said but I am not a diehard like the kind of fan UKFBFAN is talking about. What's happened this season has in part been a celebration of those people and their resolve.