Where do you stand on players opting out of post-season games (with no injuries) to "prepare for the draft"?

[vols40]

Is a scholarship dependent on number of games played? His “school” time will be over.

post season is just that…….”post season.”

A kid like Hyatt has provided more monetary value to Tennessee than his scholarship money given. If he “wants” to be done because the season is over and not participate in a bowl………because of fear of jeopardizing his entire career…..I don’t know why folks have a problem.

Workers do what’s best for them
Students do what’s best for them
Coaches do what’s best for them
Professors do what’s best for them

But student athletes aren’t supposed to? Or should be penalized?

Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah. I'm saying do whatever you want but the ones who say they are in favor of this unless it's a playoff game are hypocritical. And please spare me the "they have paid back their scholarship" hog wash. How about that 4-5 years of prepared meals and as many personal trainers as they can possibly ask for. My opinion and it will not be swayed by others is play the game and stop worrying about getting hurt because you had the same chance of getting hurt against Vandy.

 

[vols40]

Ahh, yes, risk their future for your pleasure is what it's all about. I'd rather they played, but won't condemn for opting out. It's not about me, or YOU, it's about what THEY believe is best for them.

I don't disagree but why not also sit out playoff games conference championship games as well as the last regular season game? What makes a bowl game more susceptible to injuries?

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

Watching so many grown men whine over another adults business decision is hilarious. These players owe you nothing. Literally. If a player makes it this far and wants to ready himself for his career, more power to him.

Bowl games are and always have been meaningless exhibitions unless you're playing for a title.

Just know, y'all keep bringing up "unless it's a playoff" and "unless you're playing for a title", but Ohio State's 2nd best receiver just opted out of the playoffs. So that trend isn't far behind either.

 

[Kylo]

Just know, y'all keep bringing up "unless it's a playoff" and "unless you're playing for a title", but Ohio State's 2nd best receiver just opted out of the playoffs. So that trend isn't far behind either.

I know that is coming. That one stings, no lie.

 

[JoAllan]

Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah. I'm saying do whatever you want but the ones who say they are in favor of this unless it's a playoff game are hypocritical. And please spare me the "they have paid back their scholarship" hog wash. How about that 4-5 years of prepared meals and as many personal trainers as they can possibly ask for. My opinion and it will not be swayed by others is play the game and stop worrying about getting hurt because you had the same chance of getting hurt against Vandy.

LOL

How much money does Tennessee football bring in?

The players are the ones responsible for that.

The last one I saw Tennessee made 70 million from football…….AFTER all expenses.

So I don’t think you understand what your talking about. Tennessee made 824,000 off of every single scholarship player for the year…….after their expenses and all other expenses.

 

[Kylo]

If the players owe fans nothing, then the fans owe nothing to the players.

Not that this is unique to players. Everyone - EVERYONE - takes the fans for granted. Everyone treats them like they're passive money sponges, there to cheer and support and spend no matter how the sport changes.

Unfortunately, the fans are the end of the chain. We do mean less. They're will always be another fan that wants your seat. That's how it's always been. We have to be placated enough to keep selling seats and merch, nothing more.

That's just how it goes.

 

[bigeasy]

So for the people that are 100% against this.

Hypothetically speaking say you had a really good shot at a promotion in your career that would set you/your family up for financial success. Before then someone offers you a short-term contract that pays a small amount. It would be nice supplemental income, but nothing big. Your promotion doesn’t depend on that contract, yet there is a potential that you could lose your job from it. Would you take the contract?

 

[Kylo]

In reality, players owe everything to the fans. Without fans, most would never get a degree or go pro.

You are delusional. There will always be another fan. Someone will always want your seats. The fans are the revenue stream, true. But the players owe fans zero. They are the ones putting in the blood sweat and tears. They are the Vols. We are fans. I will never root against someone doing what is best for their future. Even if it hurts on the fan level.

 

[vols40]

LOL

How much money does Tennessee football bring in?

The players are the ones responsible for that.

The last one I saw Tennessee made 70 million from football…….AFTER all expenses.

So I don’t think you understand what your talking about. Tennessee made 824,000 off of every single scholarship player for the year…….after their expenses and all other expenses.

You do you and keep on with the mentality that you because you are you are owed something. People like you who disdain capitalism are the problem. If your numbers are true ( not sure I believe you) then what does that matter? What risk have players taken? What real money have they invested in the last 100 years to be a successful program? That's right nothing. Look I don't care what these kids do. I will still appreciate there time here. But no one owes them or me anything.

 

[vols40]

So for the people that are 100% against this.

Hypothetically speaking say you had a really good shot at a promotion in your career that would set you/your family up for financial success. Before then someone offers you a short-term contract that pays a small amount. It would be nice supplemental income, but nothing big. Your promotion doesn’t depend on that contract, yet there is a potential that you could lose your job from it. Would you take the contract?

I see your point but my contention is and I am saying this is my opinion only I play the freaking game. Or in your scenario I would take and finish out the entire short term hypothetical offer you suggested. Because I am a GAM. Again only my opinion.

 

[vols40]

You are delusional. There will always be another fan. Someone will always want your seats. The fans are the revenue stream, true. But the players owe fans zero. They are the ones putting in the blood sweat and tears. They are the Vols. We are fans. I will never root against someone doing what is best for their future. Even if it hurts on the fan level.

I can't wait for this taking games off makes it's way to the NFL.

 

[JoAllan]

You do you and keep on with the mentality that you because you are you are owed something. People like you who disdain capitalism are the problem. If your numbers are true ( not sure I believe you) then what does that matter? What risk have players taken? What real money have they invested in the last 100 years to be a successful program? That's right nothing. Look I don't care what these kids do. I will still appreciate there time here. But no one owes them or me anything.

What in the heck are you talking about.

YOU are the ONLY one thinking someone is owed something. I’m not saying these players are owed anything from the school or anyone.

However it’s their life…they have to do what’s best for their life……they been doing what’s best for a team and program now it’s their time.

You literally think the players OWE……although if they choose to forgo they have completed their obligations. They will be out of their school semester too. They won’t need to re-up their scholarship.

YOU made an unfounded assumption without even looking it up.

I actually took the time to find the actual facts. Each scholarship player benefited the school and program over $800,000 after every single thing provided to them……..they made the program money…….lots of it.

The school does what’s best for them
So does the coach
So does almost every business
Why shouldn’t a student athlete?

A coach can literally take away a scholarship……no one blinks an eye…….but if a player decides he doesn’t want to play in the post season……..folks have a problem.

 

[volfan102455]

So for the people that are 100% against this.

Hypothetically speaking say you had a really good shot at a promotion in your career that would set you/your family up for financial success. Before then someone offers you a short-term contract that pays a small amount. It would be nice supplemental income, but nothing big. Your promotion doesn’t depend on that contract, yet there is a potential that you could lose your job from it. Would you take the contract?

There are risks with everything.

A player could opt out but sustain an injury just walking across campus to class. Do they also stop going to school, out at night, visiting family and friends and isolate themselves in a room with padding on the wall until the draft?

A player who decides to opt out because they plan to enter the draft early then decides to come back because they realize the offer is not there - do they get a spot on the team?

For those in the workforce, you make decisions understanding all the risks and the consequences of the decision. In your hypothetical example, anyone would weigh the risks and make a decision they could live with understanding what the risks are.

 

[volfan102455]

I can't wait for this taking games off makes it's way to the NFL.

That will happen though in the NFL, the player would probably be docked some money for doing so.

 

[volfan102455]

And I wish folks would stop acting like the players who are on scholarship do not receive anything.

Those on full scholarship don't pay for any of the following - education, training, exposure on national television week after week, year after year among other things.

Many students come out of college with student loan debt in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and no guarantee that the time spent will end up with them getting a job where they can afford to pay that back in a reasonable time.

 

[vols40]

And I wish folks would stop acting like the players who are on scholarship do not receive anything.

Those on full scholarship don't pay for any of the following - education, training, exposure on national television week after week, year after year among other things.

Many students come out of college with student loan debt in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and no guarantee that the time spent will end up with them getting a job where they can afford to pay that back in a reasonable time.

Nor do these athletes pay income taxes on all the items you listed. But but but but but they worked out a lot. It's comical to hear the despair of the P5 scholarship athlete

 

[kptvol1]

So why carry that mindset ONLY for the last game? If you're that concerned about it, why play in any games that season? Whats next? Players sitting out during all the cupcake games for fear of injury? You made a commitment to play, you ****ing play! If the university gives you 100% of a scholly to get a degree, you owe them to play in 100% of all the games you are physically able to. The jobs not finished until that last game is played. Thats what you signed up for.

Very fair point there. Very fair, indeed.

 

[vols40]

What in the heck are you talking about.

YOU are the ONLY one thinking someone is owed something. I’m not saying these players are owed anything from the school or anyone.

However it’s their life…they have to do what’s best for their life……they been doing what’s best for a team and program now it’s their time.

You literally think the players OWE……although if they choose to forgo they have completed their obligations. They will be out of their school semester too. They won’t need to re-up their scholarship.

YOU made an unfounded assumption without even looking it up.

I actually took the time to find the actual facts. Each scholarship player benefited the school and program over $800,000 after every single thing provided to them……..they made the program money…….lots of it.

The school does what’s best for them
So does the coach
So does almost every business
Why shouldn’t a student athlete?

A coach can literally take away a scholarship……no one blinks an eye…….but if a player decides he doesn’t want to play in the post season……..folks have a problem.

Yes I do. And you are too close to the forest to see the trees. You refuse to hear my point. My point not your point not anyone else's point my point. The athletes today are reaping the benefits of a system that was built years ago. Players who came and sacrificed way before them. And if (big) if your asserted numbers are correct it's because of the TV deals that were unheard of 30 years ago. Why did Al Wilson not sit out his last game? I totally understand if a player is truly hurt sitting out. There was not an insane amount of money in college football. And at the end of the season there was a reward for having a good season. Players were sent to a bowl game and depending on what game there were nice perks for a invite to said bowl game. Alontae Taylor was not hurt last year and could have very well made a difference in the outcome. And it's highly likely he doesn't get hurt playing that game. No more than his risk by deciding to play the Vandy game.

 

[vols40]

Very fair point there. Very fair, indeed.

But but but but they have to work out a lot.... Lol

 

[vols40]

Ahh, yes, risk their future for your pleasure is what it's all about. I'd rather they played, but won't condemn for opting out. It's not about me, or YOU, it's about what THEY believe is best for them.

And I don't disagree but when you (the athletes) opt out, you start paying your own way.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

So for the people that are 100% against this.

Hypothetically speaking say you had a really good shot at a promotion in your career that would set you/your family up for financial success. Before then someone offers you a short-term contract that pays a small amount. It would be nice supplemental income, but nothing big. Your promotion doesn’t depend on that contract, yet there is a potential that you could lose your job from it. Would you take the contract?

terrible analogy. The university put them in this position, gave them all the opportunity, fed, housed, educated for 2-4 years. Playing all games unless injured should be binding.

 

[vols40]

terrible analogy. The university put them in this position, gave them all the opportunity, fed, housed, educated for 2-4 years. Playing all games unless injured should be binding.

Or at the very least move out of the dorm or campus housing and let your agent pay for your expenses

 

[camp_steveo]

If the Vols are in the CFP, then I would not be as understanding, especially if there isn't any injury concerns.

 

[vols40]

If the Vols are in the CFP, then I would not be as understanding, especially if there isn't any injury concerns.

A win in a NY6 Bowl game can be a catalyst for late signing day and into next year. If your scared to play the bowl game sit the Vandy game as well.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

If the Vols are in the CFP, then I would not be as understanding, especially if there isn't any injury concerns.

so should every stud start sitting the season if their team takes a loss or two that would likely knock them out of playoffs? Would really be a drain on college athletics.