Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey has decided to skip playing in his final game at the Sun Bowl. Let the finger waving and handwringing begin. McCaffrey, like Leonard Fournette has decided to focus his attention on the NFL Draft and his pro career. Former pro QB Donovon McNabb does not agree with the decision and says it “sets a bad example for the kids,” Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing reports.
This is quite the statement coming from McNabb, a two time DUI offender. I would argue that is more of a “bad example” for kids. The kids narrative is a lazy response from McNabb. It’s the rhetoric we often hear from conservative voices that want to protect the “sanctity” of the collegiate game. Hogwash.
Kids should not be looking to sports for role models or examples of morality and goodness. Sports is a business. Like it or not, collegiate athletics is big business. Hundreds of millions of dollars pass through the hands of many people, with next to nothing flowing in the direction of the players.
What McCaffrey is doing does not set a bad example for the kids. He is a “student athlete” that is headed to the NFL Draft. Why play in a dangerous game for free and risk potential injury right before the most important day of your professional career? McCaffrey and others that skip bowl games are making the smart business decision.