Michigan Players Sitting Out the Bowl: Appreciation Thread

I appreciate the players donning the Maize n Blue and who will be playing their hearts out in the Peach Bowl for their team, their school - and in the long run, themselves.

Sitting out voluntarily at the expense of your team is not a good way for any 21 year old to start the marathon of life and work.

Go Blue!!!

I get why some players want to sit out the last game, but how is the threat of injury any different in the bowl game than it is in the game before the bowl game, or any other random game in the season? How is sitting out the bowl game any different than packing it up in midway through the season? The games all count towards a team's record every year, so I don't get how this is any more meaningless than any other game in the season. How can you say playing against Western or SMU is valid but against Florida in fairly big bowl game is not?

Thanks to the entire 2018 team for a good season. Looking forward to the bowl game no matter who plays. I also wouldn't mind seeing the younger guys play so good luck in the draft this spring to the players who decide to sit! 

Players should make the best choices for them and their families.  There is a lot of value in practicing for and playing in a game against a quality opponent, but if they believe sitting out is best for them, I understand.

Go Blue!

AMEN  ... to all the seniors and early draftees, thank your for the ride.  Go Blue !!!

Who has actually stated that they are sitting out besides Gary?

I understand Gary. The rest are embarrassing. 

Okay well that doesn't make sense. I'm pretty sure that their teammates are happy for them. Not to mention that it's good for the future of the depth chart as those other guys get all of the reps. 

I don't care who sits out, I am still going to watch the game and root for Michigan. If 2 years or 5 years from now Rashan and Karan come back to the sidelines to be an honorary captain or watch a game that'll be fine by me. And I'll also be rooting for them to have successful NFL careers. 

Tough decision to make.  However, after watching Jake Butt and Jaylen Smith suffer knee injuries in "exhibition" games, hard to argue the logic of skipping.  Most of these kids have given 3-5 years to the program, so rather than hammer them, wish them the best and hope they get to move to the next level.  

Nah, sorry, that's bullshit.

I, personally, will never support them moving forward (realizing how insignificant my support is).

It's like congratulating someone for doing 90% of the job.  

And don't kid yourself, they aren't playing the game to entertain anyone.

They're playing the game because they love it and free education/or for an opportunity to make a career out of it.

If the players who are going to sit out are worried about getting injured, then they should sit out. Otherwise, they may not bring their best performance to the bowl game. I don't mind them sitting out and preparing for their NFL careers.

Bowl games....what a spring game should actually be

Congrats to them. After 3, 4 or 5 years of work at school, in the weightroom, on the practice field and in the Big House they've earned the right to do whatever the f*ck they want with their opportunity. If they think they are putting too much at risk by playing with limited opportunity to improve their status on the field then good for them. If they think they won't regret the decision of watching from the sideline or on TV for the rest of their lives then it's a great decision. It's just one more meaningless football game at this point, if it's not a tool they can use to improve their position in life then they should have no obligation to participate. With the state of college sports and the amount of money that is generated from these stupid bowl games it's a wonder why any of the kids put themselves on the line for the "glory". Let the people who have something to prove for future starting positions and have goals they want to achieve in the program enjoy their turn and show what they can do. I'd much rather have hungry up and comers on the field anyway so we can get a glimpse of what's to come. Maybe that will reinstill some of the hope that was vanquished by the Ohio St. game (scary and anguish inducing thought in itself). 

Didn't read through all the comments, but Jake Butt tore his ACL in a meaningless game against Florida State and it's set his NFL career back. 

If an unpaid athlete doesn't want to risk their future career to participate in a virtually pointless game, they shouldn't.

Whoever is playing - let's kick some Gator ass!!!

I am strongly opposed to this...Whatever you want to call it or justify it it feels like betrayal...Putting your own interests inbfront of the team your teammates and the fans.Its a sign if the times..This generation is all about whats in it for ME.....The Team The Team The Team! No truer words were ever spoken

Amen. 

these kids don't owe us anything. Any allegience they have is to their teammates, and I'm guessing their teammates are 100% okay with it. 

And for those leaving for the NFL... good lord please sit. Go to the NFL. Play. Have success. And if you haven't already come back and get your Michigan degree. 

Should this be on Twitter because I don't see anyone on here bashing guys who sit out.

Thank you players you are all awesome. You will be welcomed back anytime.

Amen!

The Team, The Team, The Team, except for bowl games.

Not the playoffs or conference championship, don't care at all.

Nope, dont quit on your teammates

One benefit of this development is that it more fully exposes the farce that is big-time college athletics—a tiny fraction of the best players on any team (with the exception of schools like Stanford) are in college for any reason other than to play football, or basketball or hockey. The academic aspect of being in college is an annoying inconvenience that is dispensed with as soon as possible, and most fans laugh and sneer at the ridiculously quaint notion that the players are in school to get an education—their schooling consists entirely of preparing to be professional athletes. This is really nothing new—it’s been this way for decades—but now the veneer is being pulled away a bit more.

This is just stupid.