He would give anything to play, but he also knows how hard his teammates have worked.
In today’s sports world, everyone has an opinion on whether NFL Draft-eligible players should participate in bowl games or not. Since the origin of the College Football Playoff in 2014, playing in a bowl game has significantly lost interest.
When a team does not crack the top four seeds, student-athletes from that program feel as though they should not have to stress their bodies any more. This is the reason why we are seeing more potential draft-eligible players save themselves for the NFL Combine and Pro Day, in choosing to not perform in a simple bowl.
While some understand, others from an old school mindset do not.
RELATED: Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa speaks on rehab, challenge of his decision
They feel like these players are being selfish and not focused on team goals.
For Alabama, Tua Tagovailoa spoke to local reporters on Thursday. It was his first time in front of cameras, since suffering a dislocated right hip versus Mississippi State.
He has a big decision to make, in regards to his future in football, but the junior quarterback has always been team-oriented.
Even though it is painful to not see him on the field, Tagovailoa said he would ‘support’ teammates that choose not to play in the bowl game.
“For me, I think it’s different,” Tagovailoa said.
“A lot of the guys that are draft-eligible, you can’t really tell them what they should or should not do. It is their choice and they have worked hard enough to get to where they are in their life. If they decide that they want to sit out, I think that’s a decision that they need to sit down with Coach and make and I think the best thing I can do is support them with that decision.”
It was another moment where the positive spirit of Tagovailoa came out.
Hopefully, Alabama will execute its game plan and end the bowl season with a win. Despite it having quite a few draft-eligible players, we shall see who all will decide to suit up.
The bowl schedule will be finalized after this weekend.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
