OL Jacob Gannon has left the ISU program

[jabba11]

Horrible week for Clones football..I wish the kid well but you are right couldn't come at an absolute worse time IMHO and I hope its not a signal of worse things to come.

 

[roundball]

Let's say you are fighting a battle in war. It isn't going very well and your lines are getting pushed back. Do you just lay down your weapon and run to the back, leaving your brothers-in-arms on their own? Yes, that is an extreme example but makes about as much sense as you comparing it to going to the movies.

I'll take Absolutely Ridiculous Comparisons for $5,000, Alex!

We aren't talking about fighting the Nazis here, we're talking about a goddamned game.

 

[dualthreat]

I can't think of any other situation in life where you would be expected to stick with a failing organization when you much better, much more profitable options. Jacob got 4 years of tuition, and played 4 years of football. He doesn't owe anyone anything. I just don't know why we all expect him to sink with the ship when he has a promising future ahead of him, given his academic distinctions.

What a terrible attitude

 

[Incyte]

The kid owes nothing to anyone but himself. It's not a one way street...he's been given a free education and in return has devoted countless hours to Iowa State football, helped generate millions of dollars in revenue, and provided four years of entertainment to thousands of fans.

This is the line of thinking our coaches need to purge from the program.

 

[nj829]

Have we dismissed the idea that perhaps something personal actually has happened?

I think when Zacklopedia sent his tweet out that kinda sealed the deal on it being something happening vs. just burn out. Although, I am pretty sure Zack is also a CPR fan as a former player despite not playing much in his 2 years with the team, but also will tell it like it is.

 

[Luth4Cy]

Let's put it another way: 2 senior scholarship starters out 22 total starters and 85 total scholarship players quit suddenly and without warning.

In business, this would be akin to suddenly losing 2 senior, high ranking managers. These aren't entry level guys. If you think a company wouldn't be worried about this, you're mistaken.

Because if he was thinking about it he would have warned the media and fans?

 

[FarminCy]

I'm not defending or blasting the kid as I don't know his situation. I will add that the desire to be "normal" and get to the the next stage of life can get very strong for some seniors. I've seen it personally with one of my best friends.

 

[CykoAGR]

Honestly LOL'd. and then told you to shut up, this is different under my breath.

 

[bgprest]

The only thing I can think of that might be different is that he doesn't feel like taking the hits on a team that might not be very good.

Yeah, it's got me wondering the philosophical question... Would he have left the team if we'd beaten North Dakota State last Saturday?

 

[Clonefan32]

It isn't the fact he left, it is WHEN he left. I don't care if you are sick of football, make that choice 3 weeks ago. He just quit on his teammates. A senior starter up and quits while the team is facing this: two days before playing the #20 team in the country, a coach who is losing the faith of the fan base, and a team that is desperate for a win. It is a big, big problem for the staff and the team.

So I'm failing to understand what you are saying. Is this meant to fault him for leaving, or is it a CPR issue?

To me, he left when he left. He tried to stick in there, tried to tough it out, but at the end of the day his heart wasn't in it. I haven't exactly seen any of his teammates popping off about him quitting on them on social media. Everyone has a breaking point and he apparently reached his, and I can't fault again for putting his own needs above others.

 

[FanatiClone]

The kid owes nothing to anyone but himself. It's not a one way street...he's been given a free education and in return has devoted countless hours to Iowa State football, helped generate millions of dollars in revenue, and provided four years of entertainment to thousands of fans.

The way you're painting it, it is a one way street. He was paid (schollie) this semester. Being that "it isn't a one way street", in your own words, so by your own argument, he has a semester's worth of work to do to keep it a two way street.

 

[SoapyCy]

Let's say you are fighting a battle in war. It isn't going very well and your lines are getting pushed back. Do you just lay down your weapon and run to the back, leaving your brothers-in-arms on their own? Yes, that is an extreme example but makes about as much sense as you comparing it to going to the movies.

I read the Red Badge of Courage growing up and it talks about this exact situation. FINALLY I'm using something from that elementary school English class.

 

[Luth4Cy]

Doesn't this answer our questions?

https://twitter.com/Zacklopedia/status/507575931989278720

 

[Cychedelia]

 

[roundball]

The way you're painting it, it is a one way street. He was paid (schollie) this semester. Being that "it isn't a one way street", in your own words, so by your own argument, he has a semester's worth of work to do to keep it a two way street.

If Iowa State isn't smart enough to clawback the value of his scholarship, that's their problem, not his.

 

[klamath632]

Guess I am going to have to spell it out to you because, well I don't like name calling even when it may be justified. He is done in December, he clearly isn't trying to be in the NFL because he would minimize his distractions (such as really difficult classes) if he was, he realized that his career is more important to him than this season (can't blame him, he won't/didn't want to be in the NFL), and would like to focus on finding a job (because believe it or not, its not the easiest thing in the world to do these days). All of this combined is taking away from his focus on the field, so at this point playing isn't worth it. What's not to get?

I've worked in the field for almost 20 years, and I can assure you that nobody is going to be hot to hire a kid who quit on his teammates a few weeks into a months-long project.

 

[Wesley]

Yes, exactly. The team really needed him to get this figured out sometime in fall camp, the earlier the better. He's leaving his teammates and the staff in the lurch in a big way. This is the time when you hope guys would dig deep and fight for their friends and their leaders. It's another body blow to a team and program, really, that's at least on the ropes if not sniffing the canvas.

Looks like Sam will be running more than ever.

 

[usedcarguy]

I'm not real happy with the timing either. BUT, if this season was wrote off with predictions of 3-4 wins, why not get the younger guys some experience. Gannon was a solid player, but a committed backup is a better player on Saturdays when it counts. College football is one of the most challenging endeavors one can undertake, especially if one is cares about academics. I had the opportunity to play but decided against it because of the grind. We as outsiders only see the wasted opportunity because we are jealous and envious of those who have such talents. But knowing the amount of effort and commitment required along with the physical and mental toll, I will never second guess anyone who makes such a decision.

 

[Tre4ISU]

I can't really believe what's happened in just two years.

 

[im4cyclones]

I'll take Absolutely Ridiculous Comparisons for $5,000, Alex!

We aren't talking about fighting the Nazis here, we're talking about a goddamned game.

Agreed. And I said it was an extreme example But so is comparing it to going to the movies.