re: PFT/NBC Sports - "Fournette definitely should take a year off in 2016"

Just seeing this in ESPN and figurd Id check the rant to see the thread about it.

I think the thing that pisses me off the most is that people like this a-hole Florio and his ilk are the same ones praising the "student" part of "student-athlete" when it's convenient for their own points. Yet in this situation, he wants to act like Fournette is giving LSU so much and LSU isn't giving him anything. If people want to stress that they are students first and foremost, then those same people can't ignore the free benefits that LF is getting by playing ball here. Free room and board, meals, books, and an education isn't nothing at all. In fact, you could argue it's more important than football if anything bad were to happen to LF or his health. Sure, he'll most likely have a successful career in football, but he's the outlier. And good for him for being so.

But this whole idea that these players give everything and get nothing in return is something that people like Florio can shove up their collective asses. He may not get "a paycheck" or make millions here, but LF will get plenty in his time at LSU. And then he'll reap the benefits of playing here when he gets drafted and is making millions. I don't know, it just pisses me off that people think an education doesn't mean shite anymore.

I'd even understand if LF wanted to do this in all honesty. But anybody can get hurt at any time. Playing scared isn't gonna get you very far most of the time. But if that's truly what he thinks is best for him and his future, then I will wish him well, thank him for his time here, and more power to him.

What would make my day is if LF came out and said something like "I love playing football and love LSU for giving me the platform to showcase myself as a person and as a player. And I'm not playing for nothing; LSU is giving me a lot and I appreciate everything they have done for me and want nothing more than to play football for my team and my school." The SJWs would have a heart attack and he would instantly become my favorite LSU player ever. Maybe it's wishful thinking on my part, but that would be just about the best thing ever. I think LF may realize the position he's in and him saying something like that would be a big deal IMO.

If he wins the Heisman, smashes all sorts of LSU/SEC single season rushing records, and LSU wins the NC, it wouldn't surprise me if he sat out a year. RBs have a short shelf life, so I get it.

florio is pretty solid most of the time but occasionally goes full retard (i.e. pimping a rich rod/pat white/steve slaton package deal to the falcons a few years ago)

quote:

---

I can't believe the 3 year rule is still in place. It's plainly exploitative.

---

I'm not sure I understand this comment

I absolutely hate even the suggestion that he do this; he clearly loves actually playing the sport, and right now he's performing arguably at the top-most level.

But since it's all about the money, he therefore should stop playing until he gets paid

What about love of the game, excelling etc? And as for being the best and the cautionary tales of injury, how about the whole Reggie Bush saga as an example? Reggie was a household name and Heisman trophy winner at USC, and got to play for several national titles. Now, let's look at his pro career a sec... good return guy, nice change of pace back, etc. Decent longevity. Nobody anywhere with any objectivity would say he's remotely anywhere near being an all-time great; the Saints generally feel Sproles was an upgrade.

It's doubtful that would happen to Fournette, but it could.

Aleva said it best..

"Let's just let him be a kid".