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Was Lynyrd the one that started the opting out tradition?
Posted on 12/8/25 at 6:35 pm
Posted on 12/8/25 at 6:35 pm
About 10 years ago there was no such thing as opting out in CFB when the bowls rolled around. I think Lynyrd might have been the first player to opt out because his team was in a mid-tier bowl and he didn’t want to risk injury before the NFL draft. I think a pretty good ND player got hurt the year before in a bowl game and his career was done, so Lynyrd’s reasoning was sound. Now opting out has snowballed to the point that entire teams are doing it to make a point.
TBH, most of the bowls need to go away anyway.
TBH, most of the bowls need to go away anyway.
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Posted on 12/8/25 at 6:37 pm to Sid E Walker
Fournette and Christian McCaffrey opted out of the 2017 bowl season. Not sure which did it first.
Posted on 12/8/25 at 6:39 pm to Quicksilver
I think your guy got all of the press about it. Forgot that McCaffrey had done it too.
Posted on 12/8/25 at 6:41 pm to Sid E Walker
It was Jadeveon Clowney that started it in 2012 or 2013
Posted on 12/8/25 at 6:42 pm to Sid E Walker
Christian McCaffery opted out and then Ed Orgeron didn't let Fournette play in the bowl game because he played injured all year.
Posted on 12/8/25 at 6:56 pm to Sid E Walker
Some how I thought about the old radio program “Leonard’s Losers.”
Would love to hear home pick bowl games now with opt outs, coaching changes, portal.
Would love to hear home pick bowl games now with opt outs, coaching changes, portal.
Posted on 12/8/25 at 6:57 pm to Sid E Walker
I think it's ESPN and others that started it by making excuses like "I can't blame them for this business decision" rather than ripping them a new one.
Posted on 12/8/25 at 7:33 pm to Sid E Walker
No. Lynryd told Neil Young to go F himself in language suitable for radio audiences.
Posted on 12/8/25 at 7:33 pm to Slums_Alum
quote:
It was Jadeveon Clowney that started it in 2012 or 2013
yet here he is in the 2014 Cap 1 Bowl making a TFL against Wisconsin - to finish his JR season - his final game as a Gamecock before being drafted #1 overall -
Posted on 12/8/25 at 7:35 pm to 1801
I still like the hit on the Michigan QB myself. I think that was Clowney. Man that was legendary
Posted on 12/8/25 at 7:50 pm to Taurus 357
Clowney's had a remarkable NFL career after microfracture surgery in his rookie season that created a lot of doubt if he'd ever play again - let alone with the same destructive power -
as for the OP - it was McCaffrey first then Fournette not long after that opted out - LF got all the heat mostly because he didn't play on the West coast -
as for the OP - it was McCaffrey first then Fournette not long after that opted out - LF got all the heat mostly because he didn't play on the West coast -
Posted on 12/8/25 at 8:48 pm to Sid E Walker
His case was interesting. Not many appreciate how amazing it was that he was able to even have an nfl career all. Same injuries ended careers of Maurice jones drew (lisfranc), Ricky Williams, and fournette as well (lisfranc). High ankle sprain will never really heal and forefoot failure is inevitable as a result.
quote:
I think Lynyrd might have been the first player to opt out because his team was in a mid-tier bowl and he didn’t want to risk injury before the NFL draft.
Posted on 12/8/25 at 9:35 pm to Sid E Walker
Watch what you say about Leonard Fournette! He was a Heisman winner!
Well, he didn't win the Heisman but he was a national champion at LSU!
So... maybe they didn't win a national championship or an SEC championship or a divisional championship while he was at LSU, but there's more to football than winning. At least he never quit on his team!
Right?
Well, he didn't win the Heisman but he was a national champion at LSU!
So... maybe they didn't win a national championship or an SEC championship or a divisional championship while he was at LSU, but there's more to football than winning. At least he never quit on his team!
Right?
Posted on 12/8/25 at 9:42 pm to Quicksilver
Fournette and Christian McCaffrey opted out of the 2017 bowl season. Not sure which did it first.
Well one was hurt and had missed the final game of the regular season. And one was completely healthy. So maybe not exactly on equal footing there.
Well one was hurt and had missed the final game of the regular season. And one was completely healthy. So maybe not exactly on equal footing there.
Posted on 12/8/25 at 9:50 pm to Chuck Barris
You OK, buddy?
Posted on 12/8/25 at 10:22 pm to Sid E Walker
Years ahead of his time. True trend setter
Posted on 12/8/25 at 10:35 pm to BPTiger
Fournette won a SB. I think that qualifies him
Posted on 12/8/25 at 11:03 pm to Taurus 357
quote:
I still like the hit on the Michigan QB myself. I think that was Clowney. Man that was legendary
Here it is.
LINK [quote]
Posted on 12/8/25 at 11:32 pm to Quicksilver
Fournette was playing hurt at the end of that season. I don't blame him.
Posted on 12/8/25 at 11:39 pm to Sid E Walker
The Lynyrd plane opted out of the skies in the year 1977 - Somewhere in BFE Mississippi
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