To Play Or Not To Play?

There's a tough question that NFL prospects that are playing college football right now are asking themselves. Should I play in a bowl game and risk my draft/earning potential or should I sit and risk being chastised by coaches, teammates and fans.

These questions are being asked and this topic is being talked about after news of college football stars Leonard Fournette of LSU and Christian McCaffrey of Stanford decided to sit out in their respective bowl games and focus on staying healthy for the NFL draft.

Both arguments make sense. We have athletes that have worked their entire lives to achieve one goal which is to play professionally. They have their foot at the doorstep with one game separating the end of their college careers and the beginning of their NFL careers. On the flip side they have fought and competed with their teammates and coaches all season long and the bowl game is somewhat of a symbol of completion to all of their hard work.

Fournette and McCaffrey have two completely different situations. Fournette has battled injuries for the past 2 years and finally finds himself healthy. As a definite first round draft prospect he runs a considerable risk of diminishing his draft stock if he gets hurt again. McCaffrey on the other hand looks like he just doesn't want to risk injury or waste his time playing in a meaningless bowl game.

I ask myself "What would I do in this situation?" And one never knows unless you are actually in that situation. Initially my thoughts are to go to the league. Go get paid. Take care of your family. Then the word "family" runs through my head and I think about my football family. Am I letting them down? Would they understand if I didn't play?

Is there a right answer to this question?