Mike Leach blasts players who opt-out of bowl games: ‘One of the biggest absurdities that I’ve seen’
By SDS Staff
Published:
In recent years, an increasing number of players bound for the NFL Draft have opted to not play in non-CFP bowl games. Mike Leach does not approve.
During a Saturday media opportunity, the Mississippi State head coach made strong comments about players opting out of bowl games.
“You’ve got an obligation to the place that helped build and develop you and finish it out in the bowl,” Leach said, per Andy Kostka of the Mississippi Clarion Ledger. “That’s part of it. You owe it to your team, you owe it to your fans, you owe it to your coaches and it’s the most bizarre thing in the world to me.
“Somebody says, ‘Well, I can’t play one more game,’” Leach continued. “They think they’re going to have a storied 10-year NFL career, and then they can’t play one more college game. Well, that’s ridiculous. I mean, guys will go to the NFL, they’ll make the Pro Bowl and then they’ll play in the Pro Bowl. It’s one of the biggest absurdities that I’ve seen, and it’s selfish, too.”
Kostka points out that Leach’s comments with uncertainty surrounding 2 Mississippi State players for the Liberty Bowl. Leach revealed that MSU offensive tackle Charles Cross, a potential first-round NFL Draft pick, did not practice Saturday. Per the report, Leach “couldn’t remember” if cornerback Martin Emerson practiced Saturday. Emerson recently declared for the draft. Cross hasn’t announced his plans.
Mississippi State faces Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 28.
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
