Miami quarterback Cam Ward sat out the second half of Saturday’s Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando, creating a flurry of controversy over the signal caller not finishing the game.
Ward captured the NCAA Division 1 record for touchdowns thrown in a career during the contest but didn’t return to action after halftime.
Iowa State came back to win the bowl game, 42-41, which makes Ward sitting out all the easier to scrutinize. The move shouldn’t be a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but the discourse machine will keep rolling.
There are enough fans out there who feel that any player opting out of a bowl game is a bad look, much less one who opts in and then sits for the second half after setting a personal milestone.
If you’re wondering if Ward’s decision to sit might affect his 2025 NFL Draft standing, don’t. It’s most likely a non-factor as to whether or not NFL teams will consider taking Ward in next spring’s draft process.
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III astutely called out the hypocrisy with fans getting upset with Ward not playing in the second half.
“He didn’t have to play AT ALL,” Griffin posted on Twitter (X). “Instead he gave us a half of jaw dropping plays. Stop villainizing these student athletes.”
Same people criticizing Cam Ward for sitting out the 2nd half of the Pop Tarts Bowl, would be saying how dumb it was for him to play if he got hurt. He didn’t have to play AT ALL. Instead he gave us a half of jaw dropping plays. Stop villainizing these student athletes.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 29, 2024
If you think an NFL team with a need at quarterback will seriously consider dropping Ward off their draft board because he didn’t play two quarters of a bowl game, think again. Him not playing the second half of a bowl game says nothing about his future as an NFL quarterback.
To be honest, NFL teams interested in Ward are probably relieved he didn’t risk a second-half injury in what basically amounts to a meaningless game since Miami isn’t playing in the College Football Playoff.
This is a non-story, and it’s most likely not going to affect Ward’s draft status in the slightest. The Miami quarterback should still likely go very high in the 2025 NFL Draft, perhaps even with the first-overall pick.
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