Will Levis & Chris Rodriguez quit on their teammates

[TopCatCal]

You can slice it & dice it you can sugarcoat it all you want. But the bottom line is Levis & Rodriguez are quitters. Unlike Bryce Young & Will Anderson at Alabama who are both projected to be top-10 picks they chose to play in their bowl game. And unlike Josh Allen & Benny Snell who chose to play & help their teammates win a bowl game a couple years back. You will say. But what happens if they get hurt? You can rehab an injury. But these guys will have to live with the memories of watching their teammates struggle to score knowing that they could have made a difference.
If Levis & Rodriguez would have played yesterday, the 2 pick 6's would have never happened. Iowa would have scored 7 points UK would have probably scored 10 maybe 13 points & we would have won the game.

 

[dvillecatfan]

But these guys will have to live with the memories of watching their teammates struggle to score knowing that they could have made a difference.

That's why I don't get upset about it. Their decision to make and live with.

 

[BlueRunner11]

You can slice it & dice it you can sugarcoat it all you want. But the bottom line is Levis & Rodriguez are quitters. Unlike Bryce Young & Will Anderson at Alabama who are both projected to be top-10 picks they chose to play in their bowl game. And unlike Josh Allen & Benny Snell who chose to play & help their teammates win a bowl game a couple years back. You will say. But what happens if they get hurt? You can rehab an injury. But these guys will have to live with the memories of watching their teammates struggle to score knowing that they could have made a difference.

That's why I don't get upset about it. Their decision to make and live with.

Agree and Agree.

 

[katwest]

We couldn't score if Iowa walked off the field yesterday, so it was probably pretty bad standing on the sidelines watching your team have no chance to win the game when you know you could have helped.

 

[UKfan215]

Opt-outs are quitters. They will never be remembered in the same positive way by fan bases as the guys who do choose to play. Even guys who have had great careers will always have an asterisk beside their names in the minds of fans if they choose to sit out bowl games "to focus on the draft". Dale Earnhardt had a saying about racing that I feel applies equally to football:

"If they are afraid of getting hurt maybe they should tie a kerosene soaked rag around their ankles so the ants don't crawl up their legs and chew on their candy asses".

Auto racing and football are both contact sports. Injuries are inevitable. But drivers who sign contracts to drive for a race team are obligated to finish the season. Likewise, college football players who are getting a scholarship (and now) NIL money should likewise finish out their seasons. And yes, a bowl game is part of the season.

"Opting out" is a bunch of crap. And there should be a negative stigma associated with it because it promotes self over team.

 

[Rockfly78]

I don’t like what bowl season has become. This is my March madness and I’m afraid it will never be the same again

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I don’t like what bowl season has become. This is my March madness and I’m afraid it will never be the same again

Eh, not even comparable. One is a tournament/playoff that determines a national championship and the other is a bloated, archaic format of post season glorified exhibitions. The playoff is March madness and damn I look forward to having more of it in 2024.

 

[Rockfly78]

Eh, not even comparable. One is a tournament/playoff that determines a national championship and the other is a bloated, archaic format of post season glorified exhibitions. The playoff is March madness and damn I look forward to having more of it in 2024.

My point being I like watching football way more than basketball.

 

[fadkins82476]

Eh, not even comparable. One is a tournament/playoff that determines a national championship and the other is a bloated, archaic format of post season glorified exhibitions. The playoff is March madness and damn I look forward to having more of it in 2024.

I think what he meant was, he enjoys football post-season more than basketball. The dude can like what he likes, he wasn't comparing the two.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

My point being I like watching football way more than basketball.

Well you will always have the bowl games to watch. They will bring in enough TV ratings.

 

[Pickle_Rick]

Levis played a substantial part of the season banged up. That's the very definition of quitting, ain't it. And after the pounding CRod inflicted on the other team, I'd be willing to beat he was worse the wear also. I remember seeing Jim Brown at some fan appreciation thing, and the man couldn't get out if a wheel chair because of all the damage done to his body, so screw every one of you couch potatoes hating on these kids who gave so much to us.

 

[Rockfly78]

Well you will always have the bowl games to watch. They will bring in enough TV ratings.

Yea the games will be played. But now they are JV games. In what sporting venture do the teams play their climactic end of season game with kids who haven’t played all year? Its ass backwards

 

[Chad Rock]

Opt-outs are quitters. They will never be remembered in the same positive way by fan bases as the guys who do choose to play. Even guys who have had great careers will always have an asterisk beside their names in the minds of fans if they choose to sit out bowl games "to focus on the draft". Dale Earnhardt had a saying about racing that I feel applies equally to football:

"If they are afraid of getting hurt maybe they should tie a kerosene soaked rag around their ankles so the ants don't crawl up their legs and chew on their candy asses".

Auto racing and football are both contact sports. Injuries are inevitable. But drivers who sign contracts to drive for a race team are obligated to finish the season. Likewise, college football players who are getting a scholarship (and now) NIL money should likewise finish out their seasons. And yes, a bowl game is part of the season.

"Opting out" is a bunch of crap. And there should be a negative stigma associated with it because it promotes self over team.

Which is why I feel it’s even more maddening now that we fans are expected to foot the NIL bill on top of our season tickets-Kfund contributions…only to watch what some of us tried to watch yesterday..,

 

[30Cut-Nets]

Levis played a substantial part of the season banged up. That's the very definition of quitting, ain't it. And after the pounding CRod inflicted on the other team, I'd be willing to beat he was worse the wear also. I remember seeing Jim Brown at some fan appreciation thing, and the man couldn't get out if a wheel chair because of all the damage done to his body, so screw every one of you couch potatoes hating on these kids who gave so much to us.

They not going to get hit in the NFL? Sitting out one college game going to be the difference between a life of soreness/discomfort and everlasting healthy twilight? Gtfo.

Bryce Young got bounced around beaten and battered all season too. You see Bama vs UT? UT was hitting Bryce Young like it was 1975 and he was Joe Nammath. Nah, I’m with OP 100%, and the fact that Bryce Young played shoots your opinion all to pieces and you know it.

 

[postmodernprimate]

so screw every one of you couch potatoes hating on these kids who gave so much to us.

A-f***ing-men

 

[Tskware]

To be honest I don't remember Kentucky having a serious injuryin any of its last 5 or 6 bowl games that kept anyone from an NFL career. I know it has happened to other teams and other players but I can't remember a single UK player where that happened to.

On the other hand I think Snell. Allen, Bowden, Stenberg, et cetera help themselves with out standing play in their bowl games. I just don't understand opting out but frankly it's not gonna ruin my weekend one way or the other

 

[john4uk]

Yesterday's game was an embarrassment to UK football and the blame can be put on the entire organization, from the players who chose not to play to the head coach who fired some of his staff once regular season play ended.

 

[catben]

Will Levis and C Rod have given SOOOOOOOO MUCH MORE to UK than what missing the FREAKIN Music City Bowl against Iowa could take away, it's BEYOND ridiculous to blame them for setting out!!!

I would feel HORRIBLE if either one were hurt in ANY way.

Will Levis' progress at UK was one of the MAIN REASONS coach Stoops was able to get the #1 transfer QB in ALL of college football to come here!!

And with C Rod, how LOYAL was UK to him by making him sit out the first 4 games PREVENTING him from becoming the ALL-TIME rushing leader here!!!

So before you guys start JUDGING these 2 kids, try to see where THEY are coming from!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH Will and Chris for ALL you gave to UK Football!!!

 

[millayc]

These guys will have money to console them when they think back to their college days. I don't blame them at all when a bowl game doesn't matter at all. If it was the Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl or Cotton Bowl, Peach Bowl then yes. Those are bowls are worth fighting for, but not a made up bowl that someone created just to make money off of. THE MUSIC CITY BOWL???????? Honestly not worth their time, never mind the risk of getting hurt and losing their future job prospects.
Some of you are going to say, "What about the kids that is their peak of their football careers??" I'm sorry, blame your coaches for not giving you a better shot at a bowl that matters. The idea that everyone gets a trophy no matter how bad they are has spread to the college game and it's really not fair to the kids. Life is not fair. Deal with it and move on.

 

[Kattopper]

Levis played a substantial part of the season banged up. That's the very definition of quitting, ain't it. And after the pounding CRod inflicted on the other team, I'd be willing to beat he was worse the wear also. I remember seeing Jim Brown at some fan appreciation thing, and the man couldn't get out if a wheel chair because of all the damage done to his body, so screw every one of you couch potatoes hating on these kids who gave so much to us.

I get both sides of the argument. Playing hurt is part of football. Part of me gets pissed that Levis gets a pass for “well he played hurt”. Anyone think anyone is going to let him use that excuse at the next level? CROD made some mistakes before the season. He played 8 games. Man up and play. Granted it’s their choice and I am sure they gove two craps about what I think.

 

[bigbluedon]

These guys will have money to console them when they think back to their college days. I don't blame them at all when a bowl game doesn't matter at all. If it was the Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl or Cotton Bowl, Peach Bowl then yes. Those are bowls are worth fighting for, but not a made up bowl that someone created just to make money off of. THE MUSIC CITY BOWL???????? Honestly not worth their time, never mind the risk of getting hurt and losing their future job prospects.
Some of you are going to say, "What about the kids that is their peak of their football careers??" I'm sorry, blame your coaches for not giving you a better shot at a bowl that matters. The idea that everyone gets a trophy no matter how bad they are has spread to the college game and it's really not fair to the kids. Life is not fair. Deal with it and move on.

They quit on their team. Name of the bowl doesn’t matter. They had one game remaining. What kind of preparation did they do for the draft? Probably not much of anything. Pure quitters.

 

[KYWC36]

People really need to stop taking someone else’s life so personal …. What UK really needs to do is get better at the #2 slot in each position … we are great at developing defensive players … not so much on the offensive side. We used to be, but that’s dipping. O line was bad this year, wasn’t much behind c rod, zero and I mean no QB game ready depth. That’s a concern

 

[flacat22]

I don’t like what bowl season has become. This is my March madness and I’m afraid it will never be the same again

I’m with you but I don’t know what can be done to change course at this point. Payback scholarship money if you opt out?

 

[THE_HOOK]

Hats off to Josh Allen and Snell those guys were men,, they played in the bowl game. But at the same time Snell played behind, arguably the best Oline in college football.

 

[rolaid]

I support Levis not playing- with his Oline being one of the worst in College Football and going against a great defense- he could only hurt his draft status and also risk a knee. The field was crap as always in Nashville

 

[Kats meow]

Will Levis and C Rod have given SOOOOOOOO MUCH MORE to UK than what missing the FREAKIN Music City Bowl against Iowa could take away, it's BEYOND ridiculous to blame them for setting out!!!

I would feel HORRIBLE if either one were hurt in ANY way.

Will Levis' progress at UK was one of the MAIN REASONS coach Stoops was able to get the #1 transfer QB in ALL of college football to come here!!

And with C Rod, how LOYAL was UK to him by making him sit out the first 4 games PREVENTING him from becoming the ALL-TIME rushing leader here!!!

So before you guys start JUDGING these 2 kids, try to see where THEY are coming from!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH Will and Chris for ALL you gave to UK Football!!!

Sugar coat it all you want. They quit.

 

[RexShepcat]

Levis played a substantial part of the season banged up. That's the very definition of quitting, ain't it. And after the pounding CRod inflicted on the other team, I'd be willing to beat he was worse the wear also. I remember seeing Jim Brown at some fan appreciation thing, and the man couldn't get out if a wheel chair because of all the damage done to his body, so screw every one of you couch potatoes hating on these kids who gave so much to us.

So Jim Brown was forced to play football? I’m guessing he would do it all over again
for the money and fame rather than not. Let’s look at Bryce Young yesterday. He was Heisman winner last year, did not opt out yesterday. He threw for five TDs in Alabamas win.

 

[BlueRunner11]

Levis played a substantial part of the season banged up. That's the very definition of quitting, ain't it. And after the pounding CRod inflicted on the other team, I'd be willing to beat he was worse the wear also. I remember seeing Jim Brown at some fan appreciation thing, and the man couldn't get out if a wheel chair because of all the damage done to his body, so screw every one of you couch potatoes hating on these kids who gave so much to us.

CRod only played in 8 games this year and only 4 of those games he had over 20 carries.

Levis position statistically is the least likely to get injured.

At the end of the day, it’s football. It’s a contact sport. These guys aren’t “scared” to get hurt.

My personal opinion is it had more to do with the effect on their draft status having to face a stout Iowa D.

 

[K_TIME]

1. It is quitting no matter how you slice it...i get playing in a 'meh' bowl game is not an exciting game.
2. But the question those that say "don't blame them, it's their future', etc... Why not opt out of regular season games? When is it OK...vs. not OK? UK was pretty much washed up after Tenn game...why play in Mizzou, Vandy, UGA, or UL games? Would you have been fine with Levis quitting and not playing the final 4 games.

But here is what is already happening......fans will react their way. There was not 20k people to show up for that crap fest. And you better bet its' going to lower the next bowl game. And TV viewership will dry up...and trying to push cable rates down people throats is giong to dry up. Now you have dudes hitting portal like free agency, asking fans to drop $50 in NIL collectivese, etc... no top of economy in your pocket for every nickel you make, taxes up on eveything....this all is giong to dry up. People aren't going to foot the bill for this kind of product as they did beforel

 

[The-Hack]

Kudos to our defensive players who chose to play.

They held Iowa to 206 yards of offense.

 

[RexShepcat]

Will Levis and C Rod have given SOOOOOOOO MUCH MORE to UK than what missing the FREAKIN Music City Bowl against Iowa could take away, it's BEYOND ridiculous to blame them for setting out!!!

I would feel HORRIBLE if either one were hurt in ANY way.

Will Levis' progress at UK was one of the MAIN REASONS coach Stoops was able to get the #1 transfer QB in ALL of college football to come here!!

And with C Rod, how LOYAL was UK to him by making him sit out the first 4 games PREVENTING him from becoming the ALL-TIME rushing leader here!!!

So before you guys start JUDGING these 2 kids, try to see where THEY are coming from!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH Will and Chris for ALL you gave to UK Football!!!

Sooooo much? They gave us a 7-6 record. What if they were injured during the last game of the regular season? Should they have set it out? it didn’t amount to anything.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

If you agree with players sitting out to prevent Injury for there draft stock then you also agree with Shaedon Sharpe also sitting out

 

[dvillecatfan]

If you agree with players sitting out to prevent Injury for there draft stock then you also agree with Shaedon Sharpe also sitting out

Garbage

 

[secrules3]

You can slice it & dice it you can sugarcoat it all you want. But the bottom line is Levis & Rodriguez are quitters. Unlike Bryce Young & Will Anderson at Alabama who are both projected to be top-10 picks they chose to play in their bowl game. And unlike Josh Allen & Benny Snell who chose to play & help their teammates win a bowl game a couple years back. You will say. But what happens if they get hurt? You can rehab an injury. But these guys will have to live with the memories of watching their teammates struggle to score knowing that they could have made a difference.

100 F'n PERCENT!!!

 

[wildcatwelder]

If you're physically capable of playing, you play, otherwise it's quitting on your team mates.

 

[Hjack]

They quit on their team. Name of the bowl doesn’t matter. They had one game remaining. What kind of preparation did they do for the draft? Probably not much of anything. Pure quitters.

And everyone has an opinion of what was done, what should have been done, why it was done, etc. But the fact is there now and will be there forever: They quit on their team.

 

[catben]

If you agree with players sitting out to prevent Injury for there draft stock then you also agree with Shaedon Sharpe also sitting out

Comparing a kid that NEVER suited up for UK to 2 kids that helped take UK football to their highest level in 40 years is beyond ridiculous!!!

 

[Kats meow]

Comparing a kid that NEVER suited up for UK to 2 kids that helped take UK football to their highest level in 40 years is beyond ridiculous!!!

The common theme - All 3 bailed on their teammates and fans.

 

[catben]

Who knew the Music City Bowl was this important for the legacy of players that have given the program a leg up to reach even HIGHER levels?

 

[playmorezeppelin]

If Bryce Young was taking snaps behind an offensive line like ours he probably wouldn’t have played either. Our o-line quit on Levis and Rodriguez every game.