Tag: opting out

Is Texas RB commit changing the game with a senior year decision?

A sign of things to come or just a one-off?

We have seen players opting out of bowl games prior to last season, when multiple players also opted out from a COVID-19 impacted year. Those circumstances were different, but yesterday, Texas running back commit Jaydon Blue made his decision to forgo his senior high school season and prepare for his tenure with the Longhorns.

The real question surrounding Blue’s decision is if others will follow. As a running back, the shelf life for a career is much shorter than other positions, so an opt out isn’t out of the question, but at that level it’s a bit of a interesting choice.

Blue plays in one of the most competitive states for high school football in Texas, so keeping his mileage down does make sense, but he’s going to miss out on so much. Senior activities, playing with your high school friends for the last time, beating your rivals and other school traditions for the outgoing seniors.

It’s clear that Blue is making a “business” decision, but I don’t see this becoming a common theme among high school players. We might see others do the same, it’s an individual choice. I don’t see Blue’s choice as a sign of things to come, he’s just making a choice that he believes will be the best for his future.

Chiefs’ Damien Williams opted out due to mother’s cancer diagnosis

The Chiefs’ Damien Williams said his mother’s cancer diagnosis led to him opting out of the 2020 NFL season.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Damien Williams explained the reason for opting-out of the 2020 season. The Super Bowl star’s mother has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer.

Per Chiefswire:

“For me, it was kind of cut straight and simple, right to it,” Williams said. “I’m dealing with a family matter — my mom was diagnosed with cancer and it’s stage four. There was no other — that was my decision dog. With everything that was going on, she was the only one there for me. I never had the opportunity to have my dad there. My mom is my everything, my rock. During a hard time like this, I think I should be next to her.”

Williams, who scored two touchdowns and rushed for 104 yards in the Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers, added the decision was difficult despite the overwhelming circumstances.

“It was hard,” Williams said of his decision to opt-out. “I sat down and talked to everybody in my circle, family and everybody closest to me. My mom was like, ‘Whatever decision I’m behind you.’ At the end of the day, it’s hard. Football is my life, especially coming off a championship and wanting to do a repeat. I know they’re going to handle that. At the end of the day, it’s something personal I had to handle.”