One of my biggest complaints over the last few years has been how we've lost touch with the players as people. They become positions, numbers, and statistics... But we don't know those people. In the pros I guess I'm okay with that because they're playing for big money and quite frankly they're all mercenaries. I don't need to know which mercenary is playing on my side just that they can get the job done.
But, with the college players in particular I wanted a little more about them. Where do they come from, what do they like, what did they like about Mizzou. It's one of the great parts of college sports. But the coaches and the administrations have built nice little walls around the players so that the media and the fans know less and less.
Some might argue but they have a right to privacy and I'm not saying they should tell us any more than they're comfortable with. But, the coaches don't give us the opportunity for that to even happen.
Now because of Covid and NIL, more walls have been built. And according to the article below, at least in Alabama, the opportunity to get to know who's playing for your team, to get an autograph or a picture with them, might be gone forever.
But, with the college players in particular I wanted a little more about them. Where do they come from, what do they like, what did they like about Mizzou. It's one of the great parts of college sports. But the coaches and the administrations have built nice little walls around the players so that the media and the fans know less and less.
Some might argue but they have a right to privacy and I'm not saying they should tell us any more than they're comfortable with. But, the coaches don't give us the opportunity for that to even happen.
Now because of Covid and NIL, more walls have been built. And according to the article below, at least in Alabama, the opportunity to get to know who's playing for your team, to get an autograph or a picture with them, might be gone forever.
Alabama football's Running of the Gumps may be done for good because of COVID and NIL | Hurt
Alabama Fan Day, a herald of football season, may be gone forever as the Gumps may have run for the final time
www.tidesports.com
