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Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 11:35 AM
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Another Victim of 2020 - College Football

Another Victim of 2020 - College Football

Although is it a great accomplishment during this time of COVID to even have a college football season, this new phenomenon of players “opting out” of their final games or in some cases entire senior seasons, not playing for fear of injury, makes it is hard to determine who is the biggest loser; players, fans, teams, coaches, or in fact, college football itself. 
This new and increasing action of players opting out goes against the precious ideas of being loyal to teammates and the university that provide them with a college scholarship that others pay thousands of dollars for. When a player opts out it may be for COVID concerns or NFL draft possibilities, but it still goes against the fundamentals of integrity and loyalty, leaving a slew of questions about winning and losing. 
Why is Alabama going to the College Football Playoff National Championship? The answer is this; three key senior players are coming back for their last year, players who have earned many awards including the Heisman Trophy. Their integrity has made them winners before the game is even played. 
It is difficult to determine who is the biggest loser when players opt out of the final games of the season – the Bowl Games, which many people sadly consider to be simply “exhibition games.” Is it the Players? It takes the joy of winning from players who hear that they won because the opposing was not at full capacity – forcing a loss. 
What about the teams that lose the game because their key players left? The remaining players have to fill in and aren’t ready to perform at the level their missing teammates played all season, costing them awards as well as the game. Take, for instance, Kyle Trask, the Florida quarterback nominated for the Heisman Trophy who suffered the opt-out of his three key receivers and lost the Cotton Bowl last week against Oklahoma. 
Then there are the fans. Family members of players, alumni, and community fans who root for their teams all year – and have for years, just to see key players opt out of games. This spoils interest in the bowl games knowing it will not be the same team they have watched and cheered for all season long. Opting out of bowl games creates a disinterest and reduces fan interest that also decreases TV airtime and interest. 
College football, like it or not, is a business and losing can cost coaches their jobs. Although there is a risk for players with NFL futures and high draft possibilities, that risk is there all season. The players for Alabama have proved that coming back for their final year, not opting out of the bowl game, can actually improve their draft status. Alabama had three players in the top five votes of the Heisman contest, with DeVonta Smith winning. 
Although individuals may claim the right to opt-out, making valid personal claims, healthy players who opt out of the last bowl game or their final season is a concept alien to those who have trained, worked hard, played hard, are loyal to their universities, and maintained team spirit. 
The past year, 2020, has been a crazy season of firsts; shorted schedules, canceled games, no fans in the stands, and ultimate sacrifices by players, families, coaches, and staff. Opting out of bowl games and seasons has added yet another disappointment that should not even be a consideration. It would be disappointing if opting out is here to stay. 

 


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COMMENTS
Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I knew Sam as a member of our church growing up. He always had a warm smile, a kind word, and a great sense of humor! He will be great missed!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:57 AMComment source: Obituary -- Samuel Bruce WickizerComment author: Mike HinzComment text: Great teacher, great coach, but even a better person!!! Rest in peace Mr. BeachComment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:53 AMComment source: Obituary -- Jack Victor Beach, Jr.Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I had Mrs Hedges for First Grade at Northside Elementary in 1969. I still, to this day, remember her as a wonderful teacher…one of my favorites!!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:29 AMComment source: Obituary - Nancy Marie Hedges C Comment author: Carl C. HagenComment text: What are MFNs and PBMs ?? ............................ From the editor: This is a very good question and we apologize for not catching that wasn't in there. We reached out to the writer/submitter and got this info back...hope it's helpful. PBM: Pharmacy Benefit Managers are pharmacies that are owned by insurance companies. (CVS is one.) They negotiate with drug makers to get reduced pricing for medications, but they historically have not passed along those savings to patients. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/pharmacy-benefit-managers-staff-report.pdf MFN: Most Favored Nation pricing is a policy that means a country agrees to offer the same trade concessions (like tariffs or price reductions) to all member nations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). When applied to pharmaceuticals, it could disrupt global access, deter innovation, and obscure the deeper systemic issues in American health care. https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2025/05/22/the-global-risks-of-americas-most-favored-nation-drug-pricing-policy/Comment publication date: 6/23/25, 7:47 AMComment source: L E T T E R TO THE EDITOR
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