Gunner Kiel De-Commits From LSU: Gives Idiots A Reason To Be Idiots
Yesterday the nation's number one quarterback recruit, Gunner Kiel from Indiana, reportedly decided that Louisiana State University was not the place for him, instead he would stay closer to home and go to Notre Dame. If you've followed Kiel at all you know he originally intended to stay close to home by committing to Indiana, going to play with his brother even, but that didn't last for long as he switched to college football power LSU. We've come almost full circle as he returns home to play his ball.
So a teenager has committed to three places, has yet to actually enroll so there's a chance he could change his mind again and spurned one of the nation's more consistent winners in the last decade. You know what that means right?
It means get crazy if you're a fan of anyone and everyone. LSU fan go ham on Gunner Kiel. College football fan in general do your worst about a teenager because that's what makes you a big man. Basically say whatever you want to say about a kid, because he isn't certain about where he wants to spend the next three to five years of his life.
Our bloguin colleague The Subway Domer took the time to write a bang up post about talking to recruits and why every fan should just leave the entirely alone. Truly a great cause, a fantastic point is made and as we travel into the offseason that is definitely one of the main focuses that we should all have to help make college football a bit better.
But honestly, I'm willing to go one step further. Not just in trying to stop folks from talking to recruits but rather rallying for civility and humanity when dealing with recruits in general. Don't be that guy people. Kids change their minds. In today's atmosphere of school's over offering, coaching changes and intense battles prospects, are being goaded into commitments and then opt out when they feel uncomfortable.
Don't be the fan that's so upset a teen changes his mind that you lose your own. Don't be the fan that's so distraught or angry that you lash out at a 17 year old for making a decision that is solely his. Don't be that name calling, sniveling, whining and ridiculous asshat about a kid's decision. He isn't doing this to you or to the media. He's indecisive, you know, like a freaking kid. In short, don't be these guys:
The Players Only Want Attention:
Ah yes, Kiel is changing his mind for attention. Not because he's having a tough time making his mind up about where he's going but so that people will tweet about him. Got it. Oh and he'll definitely suck because he's uncertain about the hardest decision he's ever had to make.
Yup, this guy nailed it. Kiel is doing this just to screw with you. You random people that he doesn't know form Adam.
Attention whore. Gunner and Kim Kardashian, both have Kris running their publicity campaigns. Why didn't I see this before?
The Unwell Wisher:
Wishing nothing but pain and misery to a high schooler? Whatever happened to the children being the future? Not for Josh Wachtel, this future kid can go screw himself because he was uncomfortable with the LSU decision.
Ah, not quite the pain and misery line but this guy just hopes he's a bust. "You're not going to Indiana like you thought or LSU like you said? I totally don't respect you brah, I hope you suck at football"
Obviously Notre Dame going 8-4 isn't on Stefan's radar because they always just go 6-6.
Dear Player You're A...:
Gunner Kiel has committed to approximately 183 schools. You can tell because he changed it every other day. Or three times. Same difference.
If you go to LSU, you're good. If you don't go to LSU you're a scrub. Good think Mo Claiborne went to LSU or he would be a scrub at wherever he went to school.
I'm a big fan of made up words. I am not a big fan of this made up word or calling a high school kid said word. But, you know, when you're on the internet you can say anything.
And then there's this:
Simply stated but pretty clear. This guy apparently does not like Gunner Kiel.
I'm a fan of a good joke with regards to athletes but these aren't jokes. They're sad, sad people who are so wrapped up in the whims of a kid that they felt compelled to broadcast it to the internet. We see it a lot with pro sports and now it is becoming just as prevalent, not just in collegiate athletics but with kids who haven't even decided where they truly want to play their college ball.
Let's make the sport decent folks. Discourage this type of behavior when you see it. Call folks out. Let them know it isn't ok. An old teammate told me yesterday that "morons gonna be morons" and I'm fighting a losing battle. That might be true but, to me at least, it is an actual battle worth fighting.
I've said it before and I'll say it again taking your frustrations on a kid who is only 17 or 18 is childish. This kids head is probably spinning right now having this coach calling, another coach stopping by, another OV to this school or that school, and getting constant emails and letters from schools wanting him to come play ball at their college. All these schools have different sales pitches and different atmospheres and that weighs in on a kid. Every one of these athletes have different reasons for why they commit to a particular school. Maybe its close to home, the relationships with the coaches, the program that they will play in, academics, atmosphere, and so on. The best thing for fans to do when wanting to follow an athlete on a social media site, such as twitter or Facebook, ask yourself if you can handle it? If said athlete you are following haves an off day or messes up on an assignment, maybe they fumble the ball more than usual can you the said follower hold back your aggravation before turning to the social network to belittle the said athlete? If the answer is no then don't bother following these guys. If you can't get on the net and tell your team good job guys will get em next year then don't bother. These athletes are under enough pressure with football and academics. Only thing we fans have to worry about is turning on the tube and watching these young men on Saturday there is no preparation for sitting on your @$$ and rooting for your favorite team.
Don't take it personal this is how the recruiting game works all these athletes are considered fair game till the LOI is signed and delivered. These kids have to feel comfortable and go to the place they feel they will utilize their talent the best and get the best opportunity to play and grow into not only great football players but also good men
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DID AMERICA QUIT WHEN THE NAZIS BOMBED PEARL HARBOR??!!! Damn right it's a fight worth fighting, and I will continue to help.
Damn good post.
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@LFJeremy In 2010 when Georgia was recruiting QB Christian LeMay he named them his "leader" instead of saying that he was committing to them.
“In recent years, the verbal commitment process has become a bit more complicated than once before in that coaches are released and/or take other jobs such as we had last season with USC and Tennessee,” LeMay explained. “Coaches change schemes and systems that may no longer fit the players’ best interests or desires, etc. On some occasions, players simply change their minds on the school and ‘de-commit’ since they are not officially committed until they sign an official letter of intent. “This has caused the word commitment to become a bit watered down. However, it still holds great value to me. Therefore, due to the uncertainty of the process I have chosen to use the word ‘Leader,’ which for clarity will be defined as the school in which I plan to enroll and attend next year.”
Are you asking for irrational sports fans to stop being irrational? We should try this argument with Iran.
It's sad the way people turn on these kids when it's not their team. I am a die hard LSU fan, but if the kid changed his there is no reason to hate him. Especially when he just wants to be close to home. I cannot fault someone for that. And even if I did hate that reason, he's a kid! Most of these guys are grown ass men! Just sad!
Oh, and I hope these guys realize that they're only hurting their program when it comes to recruiting with this! Who wants to play for a bunch of fans that ridicule you at a moments notice? Assclowns, indeed!
