The Columbus Dispatch, January 2, 2022
Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com.
On opting out of bowl games
To the editor: The announcement of Ohio State starting football players opting out of the Rose Bowl is a bunch of baloney. I don’t know if there is anything the NCAA can do about this problem, but they need to address it. Not to play is grossly unfair to the kids’ teammates, the school and the thousands of fans who follow the Buckeyes. All of these kids have received a free education, room and board and campus privileges during the time they have been in school, and, in my opinion, as part of the scholarship agreement, they should be required to agree to play in all games they are eligible for, including bowl games. They should be required to fulfill their commitment.
Mike Welsh, Westerville
Rob Oller:Me argues with Myself about Ohio State players opting out of Rose Bowl
To the editor: It is disgraceful that a few OSU football players have declared that they will be available for the NFL draft, but unavailable for play in the Rose Bowl. This, after making the cushy trip to the West Coast with the team and coaches.
Let’s look at the less materialistic issues: these guys have an unwritten moral contract to finish the season. That season is not finished until all games affiliated with the 2021 season have been completed. That means bowl games. I understand that they do not want to endanger their professional careers by playing in another game. Does that mean that they would not exert maximum effort for fear of injury? Perhaps this is what happened in the Michigan game.
Let’s carry the example one step further: Would they still opt out if playing for the national championship? These student-athletes owe one more game to the school, coaches and fans. Where would they be if not for these mentors? The NFL gold would never come about if they had not been recruited, educated and nurtured by their college and all that comes with it.
I quote from Garrett Wilson’s tweet: “To Buckeye Nation with love.” Is it love which makes him quit? Petit-Frere quotes from Carmen Ohio: “How firm thy friendship.” Sounds a bit loose to me.
What’s the answer? I believe we are seeing a failure of leadership. School officials and perhaps the NCAA should put their collective feet down (Is this possible?) and at the outset of the season require all players scheduled to play in a bowl game to sign an agreement to do so. I think there could be some effective penalty if the agreement was violated. I shudder to think that college football has been battered to this extent, but perhaps that is part of the world in which we now live.
Don Denton, Westerville
Ohio State football:Defensive linemen call for ‘next man up’ without Haskell Garrett
To the editor: I’m a OSU graduate from the ‘80s and completely disgusted with the selfishness of the four football players opting out of the Rose Bowl. What!? Playing in the granddaddy of bowls isn’t worth your time without a national championship in play? I guess you should have done better against Michigan. The fans where disappointed also and still ready to cheer in Pasadena, but these selfish children are taking their “toys” and going home.
In the real world one has to repay on obligations. These four self-focused individuals should be required to reimburse the university the full value of their scholarships so someone more deserving can enjoy an education.
Chris Collings, Marion, Mass.