It started with implementation of the Playoff system. The weight of importance of a big bowl games has been drastically diminished due to the do or die nature of the four-team playoff, and lesser bowl games have become glorified exhibition games with sponsors players have never even heard of. Then came Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith losing out on millions by choosing to play in one of those meaningless games, ironically against Ohio State in Elliott’s final collegian game. Next came Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffery, arguably the two best players in college football, deciding to sit out their blow games in order to avoid injury and prepare for the NFL draft. This move has opened the door to a new era in college football with more and more players doing the same in the future.
One running back not too far removed from college football isn’t quite on board with the movement. Cowboys star rookie Ezekiel Elliott let his thoughts known on Twitter after McCaffery announced his decision to forgo the Sun Bowl.
All these young guys deciding to skip their bowl games ?.I would do anything to play one more time with my brothers in that scarlet and gray
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) December 19, 2016
One last time to honor your university and one last chance to play with your boys who will be your brothers for life.
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) December 19, 2016
Ironically enough, Elliott forwent his entire senior season to enter the NFL draft as a personal decision to avoid injury and provide for himself and his family, and fans were sure to call him out on it.
@EzekielElliott Cool story, bro. pic.twitter.com/FHr9JAorLX
— Paul Sporer (@sporer) December 19, 2016
@EzekielElliott you left early dog
— Kyle Bush (@KyTimothyB) December 19, 2016
@EzekielElliott didn’t you leave OSU with eligibility remaining?
— Tom Skowronek Jr (@twotondawg) December 19, 2016
@EzekielElliott @KenWeinmanSport that’s cuz you played in one that mattered not the Sun bowl
— (((Gary))) (@gshumu) December 19, 2016
@EzekielElliott why didn’t you stay for your senior season? #hypocrite
— Shawners (@ByShawners) December 19, 2016
@EzekielElliott Wait… pic.twitter.com/6YjarktFpV
— Volnatic (@volnatic) December 19, 2016
