[thunder_chik]

[quote author=thunder_chik link=topic=16303.msg182961#msg182961 date=1482158561]
Fournette announced earlier this month that he would forego his team's bowl game to "prepare" for the draft. A euphemism for "I don't want to get injured".
If we were in the Rose Bowl, I think CMac would play.  But to risk damage in what is essentially an exhibition-type game vs an unranked opponent...I really don't fault his decision.
Nevertheless, I am disappointed.  :'(

So as near I can tell "I don't want to get injured" gives moral authority for any senior who doesn't want to play in the bowl game.  Right?
[/quote]

No, I don't agree and I'm certainly not prepared to render a moral or ethical judgment about his (or anyone else's) decision--yet. I would like more information about the formulation of his decision. I suspect his dad, from past experiences and comments, had a lot of input in convincing Christian to forego his senior year as well as this upcoming bowl game.  If Fournette hadn't announced earlier, would CMac gone ahead with it?  I do wonder what legal ramifications there might be when a player who is on scholarship decides not to complete the season with his team.  Did CMac need to get the OK from Stanford Athletics and/or David Shaw?  It will be interesting to see if this becomes a trend and how the schools (and fans) deal with it.

[thunder_chik]

[quote author=thunder_chik link=topic=16303.msg182961#msg182961 date=1482158561]
Fournette announced earlier this month that he would forego his team's bowl game to "prepare" for the draft. A euphemism for "I don't want to get injured".
If we were in the Rose Bowl, I think CMac would play.  But to risk damage in what is essentially an exhibition-type game vs an unranked opponent...I really don't fault his decision.
Nevertheless, I am disappointed.  :'(

So as near I can tell "I don't want to get injured" gives moral authority for any senior who doesn't want to play in the bowl game.  Right?
[/quote]

No, I don't agree and I'm certainly not prepared to render a moral or ethical judgment about his (or anyone else's) decision--yet. I would like more information about the formulation of his decision. I suspect his dad, from past experiences and comments, had a lot of input in convincing Christian to forego his senior year as well as this upcoming bowl game.  If Fournette hadn't announced earlier, would CMac gone ahead with it?  I do wonder what legal ramifications there might be when a player who is on scholarship decides not to complete the season with his team.  Did CMac need to get the OK from Stanford Athletics and/or David Shaw?  It will be interesting to see if this becomes a trend and how the schools (and fans) deal with it.