I still can't wrap my head around practice in December is better than playing a bowl game, with practice leading up to it. Goodness gracious, it's 9 months till the season starts. And I even more so cannot understand why players forego the bowl game "to prepare for the NFL draft." What do you think football practice leading up to a bowl game is? They'd rather do pushups with a personal trainer? That whole scenario thumbs its nose at the rest of the team. I don't want to hear anyone say it's dreadful fear of injury.
Imagine playing football for 12 years without getting too physically hurt that you are on the cusp of life changing money. You are a guaranteed first round pick set to make millions. You come from absolutely nothing, living in the projects, or trailers, or the streets. Why would you ever, EVER, risk that for a glorified exhibition game that pays your nothing to be there? You are one knee being rolled up on or chop block or blind side from being a millionaire to rehabbing as a rookie as a fifth round pick hoping to stick on.
These kids have done their time and their universities have made their money off them. Then they go pro and guess what? Hey, can you help bail out our bad coaching hire? Hey, we need a new performance center, can you donate? Hey, remember when you helped make us millions while we paid you nothing, yet here we are asking for a donation to better our sports programs?
These kids have seen the fourth wall and realize they have power now. I'm so happy for them.