'19 MO RB Kyren Williams (Notre Dame Signee)

[tadman95]

Disappointing, and frankly a little surprised. Hope they don't show him on the sidelines during the bowl, I don't want to see him since he's out.

 

[GATTACA!]

Every game matters. That used to be one of the things that made CFB special. Now it's "Every game matters as long as it has playoff implications; otherwise, ima do me."

Fuck that. This Fiesta Bowl matters. It's our opportunity for a first NY6 bowl win in nearly three decades. It's the first game of Marcus Freeman's tenure as headcoach. It's our opportunity to consolidate the program's tremendous momentum heading into 2022. To tell the hundreds of people busting their asses day in and day out behind the scenes to help NDFB succeed that it doesn't matter because it's not the playoffs is a bitch move.

More importantly, it's really bad for locker room culture. A good football team is more analogous to a company of soldiers than it is to most other sports. Allowing individuals to place themselves before the team is poisonous. This is the latest example of the professionalization of CFB threatening to ruin everything that makes this sport special. If I wanted to watch a bunch of highly paid mercenaries go through the motions against each other, I'd tune into the NFL.

Kyren and Hamilton aren't part of the team anymore. They declared for the draft. If Mayer or another NFL bound player that's coming back for another season voluntarily sat out you'd have a point.

Lots of people like to praise ND for being a "40 year decision", funny how the tune around here changes when the same athletes make a decision for their future that hurts ND football instead of helping it.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Kyren and Hamilton aren't part of the team anymore. They declared for the draft. If Mayer or another NFL bound player that's coming back for another season voluntarily sat out you'd have a point.

Kyle's situation is different because he's been sitting due to a legitimate injury already. Kyren, an uninjured captain, is only "off the team" now because he chose to be (likely following the counsel of a slimy agent, so I'm not really mad at the kid).

Lots of people like to praise ND for being a "40 year decision", funny how the tune around here changes when the same athletes make a decision for their future that hurts ND football instead of helping it.

The team comes first. If you're a healthy captain, you show up and play for your brothers.

 

[irish o'phile]

I was just looking at the google and I found this Kyren Williams website. It has some shirts and whatnot.

https://thekyrenwilliams.com/

 

[NDPhilly]

I was just looking at the google and I found this Kyren Williams website. It has some shirts and whatnot.

https://thekyrenwilliams.com/

I’m all for “fair” NIL deals but this has agent written all over it lol. His decision makes a lot more sense after seeing this.

 

[calvegas04]

Kyle's situation is different because he's been sitting due to a legitimate injury already. Kyren, an uninjured captain, is only "off the team" now because he chose to be (likely following the counsel of a slimy agent, so I'm not really mad at the kid).



The team comes first. If you're a healthy captain, you show up and play for your brothers.

Not really convinced Kyle's injury was legit, just my personal opinion

 

[MacIrish75]

The bowl games should be seen as the first game of the next season.
The team should "invite" the players who are juniors or above to play in the game and otherwise to attend the game.

I do sort of view non-playoff bowl games in this way, also. Isn’t it almost better to see what Diggs/Tyree/Estime can do with all the bowl prep and game against a top ten opponent in preparation for next year, than to have a last hurrah with Kyren?

I’d also support rolling with Buchner…

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Not really convinced Kyle's injury was legit, just my personal opinion

Regardless, it's a plausible reasonable for him not to play, so it doesn't look bad. But for a healthy captain to sit out a big bowl game? We absolutely cannot let this become a thing at ND.

 

[AlaskanIrish]

I also think that Kyren's decision had to be informed, at least partially, by how strong the RBs have looked behind him. If he was the only option, I simply don't believe this would be the call.

I think that he wants this to be a chance for Tyree to shine, for Diggs to have a statement game on a national stage, for Estime to grind on the defense late. Maybe that's a bit Pollyanna, but I think he's shown too much dedication to this program for us to assume this only to be a dollars and cents decision.

 

[SouthSideChiDomer]

I could not disagree anymore with people being upset with Kyren. After seeing what happened with Jaylon (IN THIS VERY GAME!), I cannot fault any player who is about to go to the draft from sitting the game out. I was on campus with Jaylon, I saw how much he worked and sacrificed. He never partied or went out. He spent his nights making making some of the most bland food you can imagine so he could maintain his athletic ability. Do you think everything was just naturally given to him? That he just went to practice for 2 hours a couple times a week and that was all of his commitment? He worked non-stop, all-day, everyday for his 3 years at ND to make the league. He had a schedule, routine, and lifestyle that most people here couldn't do half of everyday without going insane or quitting. He sacrificed so much of what most people take for granted to get his shot in the NFL and hopefully make multi-generational wealth.

And much of that hard work and sacrifice was thrown out the window because he decided to play one more meaningless game.

Also, seriously, complaining about the professionalization of the game because Kyren chose to sit out from a game with no national championship implications which was created specifically to enrich commercial interests? If we wanted a truly amateur game, then none of these bowl games should exist in the first place. And if these bowl games cared about any of the athletes playing in them, they could figure out a way to insure draft eligible players from loss of value due to injury. But that would cost them money, and they are profit driven entities, so as long as people are still buying tickets and watching the games on TV, they have no reason to do that. Once that money dries up because they turn into glorified scrimmages, then you will see them come up with a system that benefits the players and they will talk about how they care for the players and how it was the right thing to do.

 

[NDRock]

Regardless, it's a plausible reasonable for him not to play, so it doesn't look bad. But for a healthy captain to sit out a big bowl game? We absolutely cannot let this become a thing at ND.

The only way it won’t be a thing is if we recruit worse players with no chance of making millions in the NFL.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

The only way it won’t be a thing is if we recruit worse players with no chance of making millions in the NFL.

Or we could build a strong team-first culture. As Beau suggested, if Kyren received the blessing of the staff and his teammates before making this decision, then it's fine.

Team first, always.

 

[NDPhilly]

Or we could build a strong team-first culture. As Beau suggested, if Kyren received the blessing of the staff and his teammates before making this decision, then it's fine.

Team first, always.

I mean Coaches will never say “no” to this. It’ll poison the locker room.

Once it became prevalent, all other schools had to follow suit. Just the way it is.

 

[NDRock]

Or we could build a strong team-first culture. As Beau suggested, if Kyren received the blessing of the staff and his teammates before making this decision, then it's fine.

Team first, always.

Teammates and those involved are always more understanding about things like this. They get how hard these guys work and what a life changing event getting drafted is. It's the guys sitting on the couch who usually get fired up. I have no doubt his teammates are 100% behind him on this.

 

[NDRock]

I mean Coaches will never say “no” to this. It’ll poison the locker room.

Once it became prevalent, all other schools had to follow suit. Just the way it is.

Yep, plus most of them are paid mercenaries who will sell their services to the highest bidder. Hypocrites. Kelly's about a month from looking like Boss Hogg down in LA.

 

[ND88]

Football hasn’t been the same for decades. It’s big time business. Statistically, how many CFB players (yet alone ND players) go on to make great money playing in the NFL? I’m sure he was advised to make this decision, but it certainly doesn’t shock. I have full confidence Kyren weighed all his options and talked with the team openly, and was encouraged to protect his future.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I mean Coaches will never say “no” to this. It’ll poison the locker room.

Once it became prevalent, all other schools had to follow suit. Just the way it is.

The staff is much less important than the team. If the team is fine with him opting out, then no harm. But they have to be given that right of first refusal. Programs that allow individuals to call their own shots are asking for trouble.

 

[317Irish]

I could not disagree anymore with people being upset with Kyren. After seeing what happened with Jaylon (IN THIS VERY GAME!), I cannot fault any player who is about to go to the draft from sitting the game out. I was on campus with Jaylon, I saw how much he worked and sacrificed. He never partied or went out. He spent his nights making making some of the most bland food you can imagine so he could maintain his athletic ability. Do you think everything was just naturally given to him? That he just went to practice for 2 hours a couple times a week and that was all of his commitment? He worked non-stop, all-day, everyday for his 3 years at ND to make the league. He had a schedule, routine, and lifestyle that most people here couldn't do half of everyday without going insane or quitting. He sacrificed so much of what most people take for granted to get his shot in the NFL and hopefully make multi-generational wealth.

And much of that hard work and sacrifice was thrown out the window because he decided to play one more meaningless game.

Also, seriously, complaining about the professionalization of the game because Kyren chose to sit out from a game with no national championship implications which was created specifically to enrich commercial interests? If we wanted a truly amateur game, then none of these bowl games should exist in the first place. And if these bowl games cared about any of the athletes playing in them, they could figure out a way to insure draft eligible players from loss of value due to injury. But that would cost them money, and they are profit driven entities, so as long as people are still buying tickets and watching the games on TV, they have no reason to do that. Once that money dries up because they turn into glorified scrimmages, then you will see them come up with a system that benefits the players and they will talk about how they care for the players and how it was the right thing to do.

I started typing some thoughts earlier that weren’t as well put as this. Thank you for posting. I wonder how much money Kyren has made on NIL vs how much he has made the university and college football??

 

[phork]

I don't buy it - from this perspective only a few of ND's games a year matter. Get killed by OSU certainly would effect Freeman's recruiting momentum.

Buy it or don't, doesn't matter. Again I re-iterate that both KH and KW would be playing if it was a playoff game. There are like 30 bowls. In todays world the only ones that matter are the playoff bowls. This game will not be any indictment of Freeman if ND loses because hes a new coach, hammering on the recruiting trail and getting started at one of the most presitgious jobs in the entire sport. The bonus 15 practices mean a whole lot more than anything else. HINT#1 the recruiting class is still intact. Everything is going to be fine.

 

[ulukinatme]

So many angry trolls today. I'm a bit surprised given Kyren's nature, but I can see where an agent would push him not to play for his future. For that reason I'm not upset one bit and I understand. Hope he knocks it out of the park at the next level!

 

[Sea Turtle]

So many angry trolls today. I'm a bit surprised given Kyren's nature, but I can see where an agent would push him not to play for his future. For that reason I'm not upset one bit and I understand. Hope he knocks it out of the park at the next level!

Where do you draw the line?

 

[NDRock]

Where do you draw the line?

Draw the line for what? Getting angry at him? Or are you talking about the coaches?

It used to be you went to college and played for 4 years, now nobody bats an eye when they leave after 3. Times change. For me, I'm fine with a guy shutting it down whenever he wants to. It's his future and he's got to do what's best for him. I'd say the same to you in whatever career field you're in. If you left your job in the middle of a project so you could take another job which would set you up financially for life. I'd support that.

The obvious downside to making college basketball and football minor league sports is the damage it does to the sports themselves. College basketball is nowhere near as good as it was when stars were staying 3 and 4 years. Football isn't there but it will continue to go down that road. For my own personal enjoyment, that sucks, but I don't think that gives me the right to get mad at a guy when he's looking out for his future.

 

[irishff1014]

So many angry trolls today. I'm a bit surprised given Kyren's nature, but I can see where an agent would push him not to play for his future. For that reason I'm not upset one bit and I understand. Hope he knocks it out of the park at the next level!

They don't care either. He is hoping he gets drafted earlier to fill his pockets more.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Draw the line for what? Getting angry at him? Or are you talking about the coaches?

It used to be you went to college and played for 4 years, now nobody bats an eye when they leave after 3. Times change. For me, I'm fine with a guy shutting it down whenever he wants to. It's his future and he's got to do what's best for him. I'd say the same to you in whatever career field you're in. If you left your job in the middle of a project so you could take another job which would set you up financially for life. I'd support that.

The obvious downside to making college basketball and football minor league sports is the damage it does to the sports themselves. College basketball is nowhere near as good as it was when stars were staying 3 and 4 years. Football isn't there but it will continue to go down that road. For my own personal enjoyment, that sucks, but I don't think that gives me the right to get mad at a guy when he's looking out for his future.

I guess I'm talking about individuality and 'me' in society. Less of that and more of this:

https://youtu.be/UrvwWfIeHu0

 

[NDRock]

I guess I'm talking about individuality and 'me' in society. Less of that and more of this:

https://youtu.be/UrvwWfIeHu0

I guess I’m a capitalist, not some socialist hippie.

Joking of course but I do find it interesting that most people love the idea of sacrifice and teamwork and doing what’s good for the whole over the individual when it’s about other people. When it’s about themselves all of a sudden individual rights are more important. Look no further than our political discourse.

 

[Irish#1]

Think this would be such a hot topic if it was Josh Lugg who decided to sit out?

 

[pumpdog20]

Think this would be such a hot topic if it was Josh Lugg who decided to sit out?

Is this one of those "if he were white", or a "if he were not as good" type of question? Former is dumb, latter is meh because you know he's not as good and people have been thinking he's a weak link anyways. And also not a captain.

 

[Irish#1]

Is this one of those "if he were white", or a "if he were not as good" type of question? Former is dumb, latter is meh because you know he's not as good and people have been thinking he's a weak link anyways. And also not a captain.

No this isn’t a “if he were white” question. What would make you think that?

My point is that nobody would give a crap if it were Lugg. The only reason some are pissed is because he’s one of the best on the team.

 

[ulukinatme]

I guess I'm talking about individuality and 'me' in society. Less of that and more of this:

https://youtu.be/UrvwWfIeHu0

Fuck Bo, and fuck Michigan. I shut that shit off and soon as I saw the title

 

[irishandy]

While this is upsetting that Kyren isn't playing, next man in. I think Diggs can run for over 100 yards and 2 TD's.

I enjoyed watching Kyren at ND.