Eli Drinkwitz catches heat for comparing NIL to pediatrician salary

Eli Drinkwitz took his turn at the podium Tuesday, meeting with the media at the SEC’s spring meetings in Florida. Along the way, Drinkwitz tackled topics ranging from NIL to the SEC scheduling debate between an 8- or 9-game conference slate.

One of Drinkwitz’s comments stirred a fierce reaction on social media. When it came to NIL, Drinkwitz noted that college athletes are able to make more than his brother-in-law. Drinkwitz highlighted his brother-in-law is a pediatrician who saves lives.

Drinkwitz’s comparison came in a larger comment about NIL and some of the potential issues that could arise from the current format and lack of governance in place. Nevertheless, that didn’t stop people from pointing out Drinkwitz’s own salary in relation to his NIL comments.

Full context of quote. I am in no way complaining about Player compensation! I’m pro NIL!! Check our state law……. I’m asking for guard rails. Especially in dealing with such large amounts of money! https://t.co/5YC5SriY5q pic.twitter.com/zePDppuSUp

— Eliah Drinkwitz (@CoachDrinkwitz) May 30, 2023

Here’s how social media reacted to the comparison:

This dork earns $6 million a year and has 3 straight years without a winning season at a football school https://t.co/okP6Lt8o38 pic.twitter.com/8NqvqmploC

— KU burner account (@rockchalkmemes) May 30, 2023

Eli Drinkwitz got a contract extension in November pushing his pay to $6 million per year. Nobody should ever minimize the important work doctors in all fields do, but can we please just have these NIL conversations with everyone’s cards on the table? https://t.co/CmxH1f9uph

— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) May 30, 2023

maybe college football coaches don’t need to make 7 figures then https://t.co/ZZze9ZwAyo pic.twitter.com/nBg1B0mCNL

— ?eleni? (@strongforecheck) May 30, 2023

Nice https://t.co/7TgrWhWJT1 pic.twitter.com/yx9LuW9g19

— sam. (@sammwichh) May 30, 2023

CFB coaches CFB coaches
looking at their looking at
own salary NIL money https://t.co/hgxN4bFzn5 pic.twitter.com/rDYG7OsmVC

— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) May 30, 2023

I can think of at least one other person making more than his brother-in-law while also not saving lives https://t.co/bvgVRgWzz2

— Nate Edwards (@NateGEdwards) May 30, 2023

It’s worth noting that Eli Drinkwitz, who is on a $6 million per year contract and has yet to post a winning record at Missouri, is also making more thank his pediatrician life-saving brother-in-law. https://t.co/TSzW2nXE9D

— Ivan Bologna (@PV_GIA) May 30, 2023

In all fairness, we only pay our children’s pediatrician to make sure they don’t have an ear infection

she’s never thrown a game-winning CFP touchdown or made me bark at a stranger after sacking Florida’s QB https://t.co/lq4MHTLzyR

— Wes Blankenship (@Wes_nship) May 30, 2023

And Eli Drinkwitz who coaches college kids throwing a ball around makes more money this his life saving brother-in-law

Funny how coaches never seem to complain about that https://t.co/oYFSSuCJJr

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) May 30, 2023

Eli Drinkwitz should allow ChatGPT to come up with his public comments for him.

— Mike Wilson (@ByMikeWilson) May 30, 2023

Wait until Eli finds out what Eli makes. https://t.co/6YusWU7iX3

— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) May 30, 2023

Imagine Eli’s bro-in-law calmly treating a 6yr olds strep throat as the strays begin raining down on his office https://t.co/APY8cbEXCq

— Josh Pate (@LateKickJosh) May 30, 2023

Do college football coaches know how much money they make https://t.co/tEwywTQu80

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) May 30, 2023

(H/T PowerMizzou, specific comments begin around 5:50 mark)

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.