[d4cohn]

In case we needed further evidence that just about any non-NY6/CFP bowl is essentially an exhibition game, the First Responder Bowl between Boston College and Boise State just got canceled (after a 2+ hour thunderstorm delay) midway through the first quarter with no makeup (game officially a no contest). 

https://twitter.com/FRBowl/status/1078022774097170439

My feeling on Herbig, Irwin, Love et al is that I am not going to hold players to a standard that wouldn't also apply for the fans (i.e. if certain Stanford fans feel the Sun Bowl isn't a significant enough game to attend, then how can I get upset at the players, who would potentially be risking their health, future career prospects and earnings for them and their families, for not playing in that very game.)

For the record, I will be in El Paso for the game with my family.

I also don't view Herbig's situation as any different than CMac, Andrus, Luck etc. My respect for Herbig's time in a Cardinal uniform is not contingent on how much the team won or lost during his three years, stats/awards he put up for us etc. I appreciate his contributions to our program over the last three years, and believe he should be welcomed back to campus to finish his degree if/when he decides the time is right to return to campus. Stanford is in the business of preparing its students (and student-athletes) for professional success in their endeavors. As such, Herbig leaving for the NFL, and potentially earning a 7-figure contract for him and his family, cannot be viewed as anything other than a fantastic success. Would my preference be for players to earn their degrees? Of course. But I am not going to say good riddance, or some of the other stuff that has been said about Herbig on this thread (like he should have to re-apply to Stanford), for him leaving early. Frankly, that wouldn't make us look good as a university, or as a fanbase.

[d4cohn]

In case we needed further evidence that just about any non-NY6/CFP bowl is essentially an exhibition game, the First Responder Bowl between Boston College and Boise State just got canceled (after a 2+ hour thunderstorm delay) midway through the first quarter with no makeup (game officially a no contest). 

https://twitter.com/FRBowl/status/1078022774097170439

My feeling on Herbig, Irwin, Love et al is that I am not going to hold players to a standard that wouldn't also apply for the fans (i.e. if certain Stanford fans feel the Sun Bowl isn't a significant enough game to attend, then how can I get upset at the players, who would potentially be risking their health, future career prospects and earnings for them and their families, for not playing in that very game.)

For the record, I will be in El Paso for the game with my family.

I also don't view Herbig's situation as any different than CMac, Andrus, Luck etc. My respect for Herbig's time in a Cardinal uniform is not contingent on how much the team won or lost during his three years, stats/awards he put up for us etc. I appreciate his contributions to our program over the last three years, and believe he should be welcomed back to campus to finish his degree if/when he decides the time is right to return to campus. Stanford is in the business of preparing its students (and student-athletes) for professional success in their endeavors. As such, Herbig leaving for the NFL, and potentially earning a 7-figure contract for him and his family, cannot be viewed as anything other than a fantastic success. Would my preference be for players to earn their degrees? Of course. But I am not going to say good riddance, or some of the other stuff that has been said about Herbig on this thread (like he should have to re-apply to Stanford), for him leaving early. Frankly, that wouldn't make us look good as a university, or as a fanbase.