It was interesting to check out the reaction to Christian McCaffrey's Tuesday announcement.
In case you're unaware, McCaffrey has been a star for the Stanford Cardinal football team over the last couple of seasons. So much so, in fact, he landed my vote this year for the Heisman Trophy after again leading the nation in all-purpose yardage.
"Very tough decision," McCaffrey put on Twitter, "but I have decided not to play in the [Hyundai] Sun Bowl so I can begin my [NFL] draft prep immediately. Thx to all my teammates for their 100% support-it means a lot to me. Go Cardinal!"
Within moments, opinions flew like reindeer on Christmas Eve.
Most folks, it seemed, understood McCaffrey's decision. He, after all, isn't the first to decide to sit out a bowl - not even this season. LSU's Leonard Fournette, calling it "best for my future," won't play in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl against Louisville. There is, however, a tad bit of difference from McCaffrey's situation because there's a healing ankle involved.
Yes, though, we're seeing a new practice blooming. And most seem to get it. Heck, Fournette's coach, Ed Orgeron, blessed the back's decision. Smart. It's a signal to future Tigers that, hey, the coach has your best interest at heart.
Yet that's where we come to a proverbial fork in the road. Should the player and coach have the player's best interest at heart, or that of the team?
Some took strong stands for the latter.
"Football, like all team sports, is about sacrificing yourself for your teammates," tweeted basketball analyst Doug Gottlieb. "This runs counter to #Fournette and #McCaffrey."
"While I get players skipping their bowl game," tweeted football analyst Kirk Herbstreit, "what happened to LOVING the GAME and wanting to compete 1 more time [with] your boys - Disturbing trend."
With which I disagree. Perhaps, yes, it's a disturbing trend for the bowl system, but it's not for the kids simply trying to make it in this world. I'm a big Herbstreit fan, but if McCaffrey deems it's best to sit out the game for his future, how can he or anyone criticize that decision?
Here's the deal: McCaffrey has been rated by NFL draft expert Todd McShay as the 28th best overall player and fourth best running back available in the 2017 draft. If McCaffrey believes he can stick at or improve on that outlook by sitting out the bowl, so be it. And, yes, there's always that ever-present threat of injury. When you're sitting on a pile of money as a potential first-round pick, why wave a match around it?
Sacrificing for your teammates? Loving the game? Look guys, teammates owe each other hard work - in preparation and in games. Yet they also owe each other respect. If a player deems sitting out a game is best for his family and future, respect that - whether you agree or not.
OK, so perhaps the NCAA could institute a courtesy date for players to opt out of bowls so potential ticket buyers know what they're getting into. That would only be fair. It wouldn't be asking too much of the players.
It's an interesting topic with many angles. One could argue the player should finish what he started. One could argue he should finish what he signed up for.
My take, though, is it boils down to a matter of perspective. Let's face it, bowl games, with the exception of playoff games, are simply exhibitions. They are reasons for fans to get out of town for some fun or gather around TVs and enjoy. (It's also a cash grab for those putting on the bowls, but that's another column.)
The most recent WVU bowls, for instance, were certainly just exhibitions. The Motel 6 Cactus Bowl. The AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The New Era Pinstripe Bowl. Would anyone have howled for long had Kevin White skipped the Mountaineers' bowl in 2014?
Probably not. It would have been understandable. On the other hand, WVU fans would have gone nuts had Geno Smith and Tavon Austin opted out of the 2012 Discover Orange Bowl, or had Pat White and Steve Slaton sat out the 2006 Nokia Sugar Bowl.
Now, do I think any of the four would have skipped their bowls? Nah.
But when it comes to decisions like this, understand your perspective is probably different than that of the player. Understand it's a career for him and simply entertainment for you.
And, whether a teammate or fan, respect that decision.
Contact Mitch Vingle at 304-348-4827 or mitchvingle@wvgazettemail.com. Follow him on Twitter @MitchVingle.