[82lsju]

“I will not be playing in our upcoming bowl game and will instead focus on being completely healthy and prepared for the 2019 NFL draft. God has blessed me with an incredible opportunity to play the sport I love at the highest level — it is a surreal feeling to be on the cusp of seeing my dream come true,” Love wrote. “I am completely devoted to this next chapter of my career, and I will always keep the Stanford community, my family and my faith by my side throughout.”

https://sports.yahoo.com/stanford-rb-bry...19634.html

[82lsju]

“I will not be playing in our upcoming bowl game and will instead focus on being completely healthy and prepared for the 2019 NFL draft. God has blessed me with an incredible opportunity to play the sport I love at the highest level — it is a surreal feeling to be on the cusp of seeing my dream come true,” Love wrote. “I am completely devoted to this next chapter of my career, and I will always keep the Stanford community, my family and my faith by my side throughout.”

https://sports.yahoo.com/stanford-rb-bry...19634.html

[gailtate]

Just read on BootBoard that Love will not play in SB.
Bueller? Anyone?

[gailtate]

Just read on BootBoard that Love will not play in SB.
Bueller? Anyone?

[JJJ]

I'm ok with this decision. It really didn't seem like he was 100% healthy this year. Since Christian bore the brunt of the scrutiny when he chose to sit out, perceptions have changed.

[JJJ]

I'm ok with this decision. It really didn't seem like he was 100% healthy this year. Since Christian bore the brunt of the scrutiny when he chose to sit out, perceptions have changed.

[OutsiderFan]

I

I'm ok with this decision. It really didn't seem like he was 100% healthy this year. Since Christian bore the brunt of the scrutiny when he chose to sit out, perceptions have changed.

What, no 12 page thread to discuss the decision to sit out a completely meaningless football game, to preserve the opportunity to make money playing football games that do matter?

[OutsiderFan]

I

I'm ok with this decision. It really didn't seem like he was 100% healthy this year. Since Christian bore the brunt of the scrutiny when he chose to sit out, perceptions have changed.

What, no 12 page thread to discuss the decision to sit out a completely meaningless football game, to preserve the opportunity to make money playing football games that do matter?

[CardinalSagehen]

After a few weeks without major noticeable re-injuries of his bad ankle, Bryce appeared to hurt himself on his last carry of Big Game.  He was stopped short of the goal line after a nice carry, but more importantly, his ankle was affected by the tackle. As we've seen on so many occasions, Bryce was pounding the turf in frustration at the end of his carry, which seems to be his reaction to pain. As expected, he limped to the sideline and didn't return.

While I wouldn't judge him for foregoing a meaningless bowl game anyway, I think his case is different and even more acceptable than McCaffrey's. 
A) He gave us four full years, and coming back this year didn't end up helping his NFL prospects.
B) He's had a horrible history with ankle problems.
C) He's currently injured. Of course, he could manage to play, but we've seen what happens when he does that.

His announcement - very tastefully done, by the way - would never have stated directly that he's sitting out due to injury, because that would defeat the purpose with respect to his NFL marketability. But I think it's clear that he needs this time to heal.

It's a bummer that we don't get to see him one last time, but none of us want to see him hurt again in the Sun Bowl, that's for sure!

[CardinalSagehen]

After a few weeks without major noticeable re-injuries of his bad ankle, Bryce appeared to hurt himself on his last carry of Big Game.  He was stopped short of the goal line after a nice carry, but more importantly, his ankle was affected by the tackle. As we've seen on so many occasions, Bryce was pounding the turf in frustration at the end of his carry, which seems to be his reaction to pain. As expected, he limped to the sideline and didn't return.

While I wouldn't judge him for foregoing a meaningless bowl game anyway, I think his case is different and even more acceptable than McCaffrey's. 
A) He gave us four full years, and coming back this year didn't end up helping his NFL prospects.
B) He's had a horrible history with ankle problems.
C) He's currently injured. Of course, he could manage to play, but we've seen what happens when he does that.

His announcement - very tastefully done, by the way - would never have stated directly that he's sitting out due to injury, because that would defeat the purpose with respect to his NFL marketability. But I think it's clear that he needs this time to heal.

It's a bummer that we don't get to see him one last time, but none of us want to see him hurt again in the Sun Bowl, that's for sure!

[Phogge]

Sorry that Irwin and Murphy aren’t playing in what should have been their last game. Bryce is hurt but impressed that he returned. Pros are already concerned about the ankle.

[Phogge]

Sorry that Irwin and Murphy aren’t playing in what should have been their last game. Bryce is hurt but impressed that he returned. Pros are already concerned about the ankle.

[winflop]

This is my shocked face...

Totally not surprised by this decision and he handled it in a very mature & classy way. Nonetheless, while I understand why he's doing this I have the same feelings about his decision that I had about Christian's and it does leave a little bit of a bitter taste in my mouth.

What I really wish would happen is for the NFL to push back the combine and/or draft so that these talented players wouldn't have to make these decisions. Yeah, I know - wishful thinking. But we all can dream can't we?

[winflop]

This is my shocked face...

Totally not surprised by this decision and he handled it in a very mature & classy way. Nonetheless, while I understand why he's doing this I have the same feelings about his decision that I had about Christian's and it does leave a little bit of a bitter taste in my mouth.

What I really wish would happen is for the NFL to push back the combine and/or draft so that these talented players wouldn't have to make these decisions. Yeah, I know - wishful thinking. But we all can dream can't we?

[pefloresjr]

I agree with others that Love was hurt at the end of Big Game.  He might get mostly healthy before the Sun Bowl but, based on the history of his ankle injuries and Shaw including him on the injury list, I doubt he would be 100%.  He has to right to completely heal and take his best shot at making the pros.  I have my doubts that he can hold up in that league, but am happy for him that he will get his chance.  He gave us his four years and I wish him the best of luck.  I'm sure he will be a great pediatrician one day.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

[pefloresjr]

I agree with others that Love was hurt at the end of Big Game.  He might get mostly healthy before the Sun Bowl but, based on the history of his ankle injuries and Shaw including him on the injury list, I doubt he would be 100%.  He has to right to completely heal and take his best shot at making the pros.  I have my doubts that he can hold up in that league, but am happy for him that he will get his chance.  He gave us his four years and I wish him the best of luck.  I'm sure he will be a great pediatrician one day.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

[Stymie]

Bravo Dr. Love!

[Stymie]

Bravo Dr. Love!

[Redrum]

My guess is his NFL career will be, like most NFL careers, brief.  At this point it's hard to believe his ankle is durable enough.  On the other hand, we got to see Bryce at his freaking, amazing best and I'm thankful that experience is all ours, instead of some pro team's point-spread obsessed fans'.   I wonder what percentage of Stanford players who profess grad school-level, post-professional sports careers actually go on to complete those earlier professed goals.

[Redrum]

My guess is his NFL career will be, like most NFL careers, brief.  At this point it's hard to believe his ankle is durable enough.  On the other hand, we got to see Bryce at his freaking, amazing best and I'm thankful that experience is all ours, instead of some pro team's point-spread obsessed fans'.   I wonder what percentage of Stanford players who profess grad school-level, post-professional sports careers actually go on to complete those earlier professed goals.

[ColoradoTree]

Good for him. We lauded him for coming back (which, especially given how this season has gone, was not the most lucrative choice he could have made). He's been dinged up basically all year, and he reinjured the ankle against Cal. He's done his part. He's done enough. 

As with all of these cases, I circle back to these points: 

1. Semifinals and the Rose Bowl are different than other bowls, and a bowl's skip-ableness depends on context. I would be upset if a player sat out the Rose or a playoff game. I'd probably feel that way about another marquee game like the Cotton or the Orange, but not to the same degree. The other ones? Heck, I'd rather see the coaching staff get creative and see what the younger kids can do--development at this point is more important than the game result. The Sun Bowl is a nice game, and El Paso does a great job with it, but skipping it to heal up and train for the combine just doesn't get me fired up. 

2. These kids don't get paid. It is super rational of them to avoid risking injury in an exhibition game so they can maximize their chances to get paid for what is likely to be at best a short pro career. The importance of this factor only goes up when it's a kid who has been injured numerous times wearing a Stanford jersey. (I know the game counts, but whether this season ends up with Stanford being 9-4 or 8-5 doesn't matter for much more than Shaw's next contract extension. We're not going to win or lose a recruiting prospect based on whether we beat Pitt or lose to Pitt. I'd like to end the season on a positive note, but I'd feel horrible if that came at the detriment to Bryce's career.)

3. Stanford and the coaches are not just employees tasked with winning football games, but like the faculty, they are meant to foster personal growth and help guide these young men to the next stage of their lives. For Bryce, that means a stint in the NFL before he goes to medical school. For Shaw to be the best mentor and guide to these young men that he can be, sometimes he probably needs to convince a kid to stay and improve draft stock, sometimes he needs to stay out of it, and sometimes he needs to have the player's back when that player is ready to leave the nest. How does it benefit Stanford football for Bryce to play in the Sun Bowl, further aggravate his ankle (or at least fail to let it fully heal), and then have his draft slot impacted? Bryce's draft slot and subsequent pro career is a walking billboard for Stanford football, just like Luck is for the Colts, Ertz is for the Eagles, and McCaffrey is for the Panthers. (And those are just the bigger name guys. DeCastro does the same thing for OL prospects.) The bigger their stars shine, the better for Stanford. 

For me, I feel really lucky we got Bryce as long as we did. I wouldn't have begrudged him leaving after last year one bit--he certainly would have made more money, and he could have come back to finish his degree anytime, and then moved onto medical school. I'm proud of the choice he made, but I can't help feeling a little guilty about it, as returning for this year cost him money, and may have made his first chosen career (chronologically speaking, at least) a shorter, less successful one. Giving him extra time to heal seems like the least we could do in exchange for that decision to return.

Best of luck, Bryce. You were a great one.

[ColoradoTree]

Good for him. We lauded him for coming back (which, especially given how this season has gone, was not the most lucrative choice he could have made). He's been dinged up basically all year, and he reinjured the ankle against Cal. He's done his part. He's done enough. 

As with all of these cases, I circle back to these points: 

1. Semifinals and the Rose Bowl are different than other bowls, and a bowl's skip-ableness depends on context. I would be upset if a player sat out the Rose or a playoff game. I'd probably feel that way about another marquee game like the Cotton or the Orange, but not to the same degree. The other ones? Heck, I'd rather see the coaching staff get creative and see what the younger kids can do--development at this point is more important than the game result. The Sun Bowl is a nice game, and El Paso does a great job with it, but skipping it to heal up and train for the combine just doesn't get me fired up. 

2. These kids don't get paid. It is super rational of them to avoid risking injury in an exhibition game so they can maximize their chances to get paid for what is likely to be at best a short pro career. The importance of this factor only goes up when it's a kid who has been injured numerous times wearing a Stanford jersey. (I know the game counts, but whether this season ends up with Stanford being 9-4 or 8-5 doesn't matter for much more than Shaw's next contract extension. We're not going to win or lose a recruiting prospect based on whether we beat Pitt or lose to Pitt. I'd like to end the season on a positive note, but I'd feel horrible if that came at the detriment to Bryce's career.)

3. Stanford and the coaches are not just employees tasked with winning football games, but like the faculty, they are meant to foster personal growth and help guide these young men to the next stage of their lives. For Bryce, that means a stint in the NFL before he goes to medical school. For Shaw to be the best mentor and guide to these young men that he can be, sometimes he probably needs to convince a kid to stay and improve draft stock, sometimes he needs to stay out of it, and sometimes he needs to have the player's back when that player is ready to leave the nest. How does it benefit Stanford football for Bryce to play in the Sun Bowl, further aggravate his ankle (or at least fail to let it fully heal), and then have his draft slot impacted? Bryce's draft slot and subsequent pro career is a walking billboard for Stanford football, just like Luck is for the Colts, Ertz is for the Eagles, and McCaffrey is for the Panthers. (And those are just the bigger name guys. DeCastro does the same thing for OL prospects.) The bigger their stars shine, the better for Stanford. 

For me, I feel really lucky we got Bryce as long as we did. I wouldn't have begrudged him leaving after last year one bit--he certainly would have made more money, and he could have come back to finish his degree anytime, and then moved onto medical school. I'm proud of the choice he made, but I can't help feeling a little guilty about it, as returning for this year cost him money, and may have made his first chosen career (chronologically speaking, at least) a shorter, less successful one. Giving him extra time to heal seems like the least we could do in exchange for that decision to return.

Best of luck, Bryce. You were a great one.

[JohnR34231]

I think a lot of how you feel about players skipping bowl games depends on whether you consider them "meaningless exhibition" games, or games that are part of the season just as regular season games are.
If it's the former you don't have a problem with players skipping them when they consider it to be in their "best interest" to do so.
If they are part of the season, then players should participate rather than bailing on their team. Sure, they could get hurt in them, but they could have gotten hurt in the other games they played in, also. How is this one any different?
Speaking for myself, I tend to gravitate towards the latter.
If a player has been injured, but just sucked it up and played anyway (like Bryce Love) I have less of a problem with him deciding to pass.

[JohnR34231]

I think a lot of how you feel about players skipping bowl games depends on whether you consider them "meaningless exhibition" games, or games that are part of the season just as regular season games are.
If it's the former you don't have a problem with players skipping them when they consider it to be in their "best interest" to do so.
If they are part of the season, then players should participate rather than bailing on their team. Sure, they could get hurt in them, but they could have gotten hurt in the other games they played in, also. How is this one any different?
Speaking for myself, I tend to gravitate towards the latter.
If a player has been injured, but just sucked it up and played anyway (like Bryce Love) I have less of a problem with him deciding to pass.

[Mick]

I

I'm ok with this decision. It really didn't seem like he was 100% healthy this year. Since Christian bore the brunt of the scrutiny when he chose to sit out, perceptions have changed.

What, no 12 page thread to discuss the decision to sit out a completely meaningless football game, to preserve the opportunity to make money playing football games that do matter?

No one cares.  I certainly don't.  And I don't think Bryce is healthy enough to do well, FWLIW.

[Mick]

I

I'm ok with this decision. It really didn't seem like he was 100% healthy this year. Since Christian bore the brunt of the scrutiny when he chose to sit out, perceptions have changed.

What, no 12 page thread to discuss the decision to sit out a completely meaningless football game, to preserve the opportunity to make money playing football games that do matter?

No one cares.  I certainly don't.  And I don't think Bryce is healthy enough to do well, FWLIW.

[JohnR34231]

I

I'm ok with this decision. It really didn't seem like he was 100% healthy this year. Since Christian bore the brunt of the scrutiny when he chose to sit out, perceptions have changed.

What, no 12 page thread to discuss the decision to sit out a completely meaningless football game, to preserve the opportunity to make money playing football games that do matter?

No one cares.  I certainly don't.  And I don't think Bryce is healthy enough to do well, FWLIW.

Well, we had about a 30 page one when McCaffery decided to sit out. So a lot of people apparently cared then.
Do they now? Well, if what you are saying is that we have beaten the subject to death, you are probably right.

[JohnR34231]

I

I'm ok with this decision. It really didn't seem like he was 100% healthy this year. Since Christian bore the brunt of the scrutiny when he chose to sit out, perceptions have changed.

What, no 12 page thread to discuss the decision to sit out a completely meaningless football game, to preserve the opportunity to make money playing football games that do matter?

No one cares.  I certainly don't.  And I don't think Bryce is healthy enough to do well, FWLIW.

Well, we had about a 30 page one when McCaffery decided to sit out. So a lot of people apparently cared then.
Do they now? Well, if what you are saying is that we have beaten the subject to death, you are probably right.

[Mick]

I

I'm ok with this decision. It really didn't seem like he was 100% healthy this year. Since Christian bore the brunt of the scrutiny when he chose to sit out, perceptions have changed.

What, no 12 page thread to discuss the decision to sit out a completely meaningless football game, to preserve the opportunity to make money playing football games that do matter?

No one cares.  I certainly don't.  And I don't think Bryce is healthy enough to do well, FWLIW.

Well, we had about a 30 page one when McCaffery decided to sit out. So a lot of people apparently cared then.
Do they now? Well, if what you are saying is that we have beaten the subject to death, you are probably right.

That's what I'm saying.  When McCaffrey sat out, it was a BIG DEAL.  Nobody did it.  Then, a lot of players did it.  Unless it's a Top Six Bowl game, I just don't care enough.  I've been to El Paso twice this year, I'm not going a third time.

[Mick]

I

I'm ok with this decision. It really didn't seem like he was 100% healthy this year. Since Christian bore the brunt of the scrutiny when he chose to sit out, perceptions have changed.

What, no 12 page thread to discuss the decision to sit out a completely meaningless football game, to preserve the opportunity to make money playing football games that do matter?

No one cares.  I certainly don't.  And I don't think Bryce is healthy enough to do well, FWLIW.

Well, we had about a 30 page one when McCaffery decided to sit out. So a lot of people apparently cared then.
Do they now? Well, if what you are saying is that we have beaten the subject to death, you are probably right.

That's what I'm saying.  When McCaffrey sat out, it was a BIG DEAL.  Nobody did it.  Then, a lot of players did it.  Unless it's a Top Six Bowl game, I just don't care enough.  I've been to El Paso twice this year, I'm not going a third time.

[81alum]

I

I'm ok with this decision. It really didn't seem like he was 100% healthy this year. Since Christian bore the brunt of the scrutiny when he chose to sit out, perceptions have changed.

What, no 12 page thread to discuss the decision to sit out a completely meaningless football game, to preserve the opportunity to make money playing football games that do matter?

No one cares.  I certainly don't.  And I don't think Bryce is healthy enough to do well, FWLIW.

To me the two cases are very different.  CMac sat out even though he was perfectly healthy, so far as we know.  Love is injured and has had a tendency to re aggravate that injury when he plays hurt.  The first was a pure business decision, the second is a health decision.  Also, CMac left with a year of eligibility, and Love came back when he didn't have to.  CMac prioritized his payout, Love prioritized his team.  CMac collected a big pay day, Love probably won't do as well because of his sacrifice.

I don't see the two as parallel.

What IS parallel is that each of them gave us fans many spectacular, thrilling moments.  I am thankful for each of them in that way.

[81alum]

I

I'm ok with this decision. It really didn't seem like he was 100% healthy this year. Since Christian bore the brunt of the scrutiny when he chose to sit out, perceptions have changed.

What, no 12 page thread to discuss the decision to sit out a completely meaningless football game, to preserve the opportunity to make money playing football games that do matter?

No one cares.  I certainly don't.  And I don't think Bryce is healthy enough to do well, FWLIW.

To me the two cases are very different.  CMac sat out even though he was perfectly healthy, so far as we know.  Love is injured and has had a tendency to re aggravate that injury when he plays hurt.  The first was a pure business decision, the second is a health decision.  Also, CMac left with a year of eligibility, and Love came back when he didn't have to.  CMac prioritized his payout, Love prioritized his team.  CMac collected a big pay day, Love probably won't do as well because of his sacrifice.

I don't see the two as parallel.

What IS parallel is that each of them gave us fans many spectacular, thrilling moments.  I am thankful for each of them in that way.

[winflop]

To me the two cases are very different.  CMac sat out even though he was perfectly healthy, so far as we know.  Love is injured and has had a tendency to re aggravate that injury when he plays hurt.  The first was a pure business decision, the second is a health decision.  Also, CMac left with a year of eligibility, and Love came back when he didn't have to.  CMac prioritized his payout, Love prioritized his team.  CMac collected a big pay day, Love probably won't do as well because of his sacrifice.

I don't see the two as parallel.

What IS parallel is that each of them gave us fans many spectacular, thrilling moments.  I am thankful for each of them in that way.

Agree 100%. However, McCaffrey's decision to leave early left a bitter taste in my mouth. I have no such bitterness about Love, but I do have the same bitterness about Herbig and any other player who is medically cleared to play and chooses not to.

[winflop]

To me the two cases are very different.  CMac sat out even though he was perfectly healthy, so far as we know.  Love is injured and has had a tendency to re aggravate that injury when he plays hurt.  The first was a pure business decision, the second is a health decision.  Also, CMac left with a year of eligibility, and Love came back when he didn't have to.  CMac prioritized his payout, Love prioritized his team.  CMac collected a big pay day, Love probably won't do as well because of his sacrifice.

I don't see the two as parallel.

What IS parallel is that each of them gave us fans many spectacular, thrilling moments.  I am thankful for each of them in that way.

Agree 100%. However, McCaffrey's decision to leave early left a bitter taste in my mouth. I have no such bitterness about Love, but I do have the same bitterness about Herbig and any other player who is medically cleared to play and chooses not to.

[Goose]

Agree 100%. However, McCaffrey's decision to leave early left a bitter taste in my mouth. I have no such bitterness about Love, but I do have the same bitterness about Herbig and any other player who is medically cleared to play and chooses not to.

I guess I am not totally clued in. When ask, Shaw said Herbig was not playing, and that Herbig not playing was not due to injury. When asked if Herbig was going pro, he said it was not for him to say. From that (and possibly other things that I don't know about), I assume many are concluding Herbig is going pro and not playing for that reason. If so, it seems a bit strange he has not said so. It is not as if we won't know about it if he doesn't tell us until later. Or maybe he has and I missed the announcement?
As of now, I am hoping there is some other issue preventing him from playing.

[Goose]

Agree 100%. However, McCaffrey's decision to leave early left a bitter taste in my mouth. I have no such bitterness about Love, but I do have the same bitterness about Herbig and any other player who is medically cleared to play and chooses not to.

I guess I am not totally clued in. When ask, Shaw said Herbig was not playing, and that Herbig not playing was not due to injury. When asked if Herbig was going pro, he said it was not for him to say. From that (and possibly other things that I don't know about), I assume many are concluding Herbig is going pro and not playing for that reason. If so, it seems a bit strange he has not said so. It is not as if we won't know about it if he doesn't tell us until later. Or maybe he has and I missed the announcement?
As of now, I am hoping there is some other issue preventing him from playing.

[BostonCard]

To me the two cases are very different.  CMac sat out even though he was perfectly healthy, so far as we know.  Love is injured and has had a tendency to re aggravate that injury when he plays hurt.  The first was a pure business decision, the second is a health decision.  Also, CMac left with a year of eligibility, and Love came back when he didn't have to.  CMac prioritized his payout, Love prioritized his team.  CMac collected a big pay day, Love probably won't do as well because of his sacrifice.

I don't see the two as parallel.

What IS parallel is that each of them gave us fans many spectacular, thrilling moments.  I am thankful for each of them in that way.

Agree 100%. However, McCaffrey's decision to leave early left a bitter taste in my mouth. I have no such bitterness about Love, but I do have the same bitterness about Herbig and any other player who is medically cleared to play and chooses not to.

While I agree with your point that a completely healthy player not playing is different from one who is "working through some things", I would note that the threshold is probably not "medically cleared".  For example, I think unless something has happened, that Love would likely have been medically cleared to play, but I don't begrudge his decision not to.  Some of the other guys (not thinking of anyone in specific) have had nagging injuries, and may be playing it safe by holding themselves out, which is their right.


BC

[BostonCard]

To me the two cases are very different.  CMac sat out even though he was perfectly healthy, so far as we know.  Love is injured and has had a tendency to re aggravate that injury when he plays hurt.  The first was a pure business decision, the second is a health decision.  Also, CMac left with a year of eligibility, and Love came back when he didn't have to.  CMac prioritized his payout, Love prioritized his team.  CMac collected a big pay day, Love probably won't do as well because of his sacrifice.

I don't see the two as parallel.

What IS parallel is that each of them gave us fans many spectacular, thrilling moments.  I am thankful for each of them in that way.

Agree 100%. However, McCaffrey's decision to leave early left a bitter taste in my mouth. I have no such bitterness about Love, but I do have the same bitterness about Herbig and any other player who is medically cleared to play and chooses not to.

While I agree with your point that a completely healthy player not playing is different from one who is "working through some things", I would note that the threshold is probably not "medically cleared".  For example, I think unless something has happened, that Love would likely have been medically cleared to play, but I don't begrudge his decision not to.  Some of the other guys (not thinking of anyone in specific) have had nagging injuries, and may be playing it safe by holding themselves out, which is their right.


BC

[winflop]

To me the two cases are very different.  CMac sat out even though he was perfectly healthy, so far as we know.  Love is injured and has had a tendency to re aggravate that injury when he plays hurt.  The first was a pure business decision, the second is a health decision.  Also, CMac left with a year of eligibility, and Love came back when he didn't have to.  CMac prioritized his payout, Love prioritized his team.  CMac collected a big pay day, Love probably won't do as well because of his sacrifice.

I don't see the two as parallel.

What IS parallel is that each of them gave us fans many spectacular, thrilling moments.  I am thankful for each of them in that way.

Agree 100%. However, McCaffrey's decision to leave early left a bitter taste in my mouth. I have no such bitterness about Love, but I do have the same bitterness about Herbig and any other player who is medically cleared to play and chooses not to.

While I agree with your point that a completely healthy player not playing is different from one who is "working through some things", I would note that the threshold is probably not "medically cleared".  For example, I think unless something has happened, that Love would likely have been medically cleared to play, but I don't begrudge his decision not to.  Some of the other guys (not thinking of anyone in specific) have had nagging injuries, and may be playing it safe by holding themselves out, which is their right.


BC

They always have the right, but with rights come responsibilities, and consequences. Right now there are no consequences for abdicating their responsibilities as part of their scholarship agreement (a contract). I'm not suggesting they be compelled to play if they are healthy, just that there should be consequences for breaching a contract.

[winflop]

To me the two cases are very different.  CMac sat out even though he was perfectly healthy, so far as we know.  Love is injured and has had a tendency to re aggravate that injury when he plays hurt.  The first was a pure business decision, the second is a health decision.  Also, CMac left with a year of eligibility, and Love came back when he didn't have to.  CMac prioritized his payout, Love prioritized his team.  CMac collected a big pay day, Love probably won't do as well because of his sacrifice.

I don't see the two as parallel.

What IS parallel is that each of them gave us fans many spectacular, thrilling moments.  I am thankful for each of them in that way.

Agree 100%. However, McCaffrey's decision to leave early left a bitter taste in my mouth. I have no such bitterness about Love, but I do have the same bitterness about Herbig and any other player who is medically cleared to play and chooses not to.

While I agree with your point that a completely healthy player not playing is different from one who is "working through some things", I would note that the threshold is probably not "medically cleared".  For example, I think unless something has happened, that Love would likely have been medically cleared to play, but I don't begrudge his decision not to.  Some of the other guys (not thinking of anyone in specific) have had nagging injuries, and may be playing it safe by holding themselves out, which is their right.


BC

They always have the right, but with rights come responsibilities, and consequences. Right now there are no consequences for abdicating their responsibilities as part of their scholarship agreement (a contract). I'm not suggesting they be compelled to play if they are healthy, just that there should be consequences for breaching a contract.