I understand we’re fans, but at some point we have to realize our fandom is wholly irrational. If Michigan beats Florida, nothing tangible in any of our lives will change. Nothing. Sure, we will have more fun on the message boards, a more optimistic offseason, etc. but that’s meaningless. I realize my fandom, even as an alum, is completely in my own mind. As LeBron so perfectly stated after the loss to the Mavs in the 2011 NBA Finals: “all the fans that wanted to see this, wanted to see me fail, you can enjoy this. But tomorrow morning your life is still going to be the same, still the same problems, still the same stresses.” And he’s right.
So, regarding our players, are we really so deaf to reality that we think, in pursuit of....an 11th win? That kids should risk possibly millions of dollars? Give me a break. When I took the bar exam, it sucked. Fortunately I passed and had a job waiting for me. Should I have taken it again because I could? Same concept. Devin Bush is a first round pick. Rashan Gary is a first round pick. How can we possibly criticize them for one second for taking the sure thing of guaranteed millions, when they could suffer a castatrophic injury (hello Jake Butt) in a game that amounts to.....a commentary on our coach? Anything at all?
It’s absurd. I want to crush Florida, I selfishly want the 11-2 “good feelings” offseason. But the purpose of going to college is to prepare yourself for life after college, to secure good employment in your chosen field, etc. we are talking about kids largely from difficult socioeconomic backgrounds (Bush likely an exception not the rule) that have EARNED what amounts to a life changing financial opportunity for them and their families, and many of us, that sit and watch them play, are actually debating if this is ok?
Come on. I HOPE every kid that is going to get drafted and doesn’t feel comfortable risking injury sits. And I hope all of us realize that that’s not only the smart decision, but the decision almost all of us would make 100 times out of 100. These kids are Michigan men, sitting out the Peach Bowl is entirely meaningless. This is real life, our wanting the spread to be higher isn’t.
So, regarding our players, are we really so deaf to reality that we think, in pursuit of....an 11th win? That kids should risk possibly millions of dollars? Give me a break. When I took the bar exam, it sucked. Fortunately I passed and had a job waiting for me. Should I have taken it again because I could? Same concept. Devin Bush is a first round pick. Rashan Gary is a first round pick. How can we possibly criticize them for one second for taking the sure thing of guaranteed millions, when they could suffer a castatrophic injury (hello Jake Butt) in a game that amounts to.....a commentary on our coach? Anything at all?
It’s absurd. I want to crush Florida, I selfishly want the 11-2 “good feelings” offseason. But the purpose of going to college is to prepare yourself for life after college, to secure good employment in your chosen field, etc. we are talking about kids largely from difficult socioeconomic backgrounds (Bush likely an exception not the rule) that have EARNED what amounts to a life changing financial opportunity for them and their families, and many of us, that sit and watch them play, are actually debating if this is ok?
Come on. I HOPE every kid that is going to get drafted and doesn’t feel comfortable risking injury sits. And I hope all of us realize that that’s not only the smart decision, but the decision almost all of us would make 100 times out of 100. These kids are Michigan men, sitting out the Peach Bowl is entirely meaningless. This is real life, our wanting the spread to be higher isn’t.
