Donovan McNabb: Christian McCaffrey setting ‘bad example for kids’

Former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb, like the rest of us, heard that Christian McCaffrey is skipping Stanford’s bowl game this year to prepare for the NFL Draft. Whereas many of us completely support McCaffrey’s decision to value his future and be smart about his health, McNabb has a different take on the matter.

Now, maybe we’re reaching a bit here. Maybe not. But McNabb might want to take a look in the mirror before he throws shade at McCaffrey for setting “bad examples for the kids.” Remember, this is a guy who was busted just last year for his second DUI (more on that here).

Furthermore, McCaffrey has never once been in the news for the wrong reasons. He’s been a model citizen throughout his tenure at Stanford. And now he plans on entering the NFL, a decision that will impact his life in a major way. Missing a bowl game to ensure he doesn’t throw away that golden opportunity is not going to scar his image.

McCaffrey is a running back — the position most likely to get injured. Not playing in the Sun Bowl is most certainly not setting a bad example.

If anything, he, along with Leonard Fournette (who’s also sitting out of a bowl game to prepare for the draft) and others who make the decision to plan for their future are making the smart move. After all, the schools they played for in college profit greatly from their accomplishments yet won’t shell out a single penny to provide for them in the future if their football careers come to an end while they play the game.

The hypocrisy surrounding the “amateur” status of college sports is ridiculous, as is the argument McNabb made when speaking about McCaffrey’s decision.