It’s not the first time a big-time college football player has had to decide whether to finish out the college season. But there are extenuating circumstances in Pitts’ case.
A football field can be a graveyard of lost talent, a place where potential is never truly realized and taken too soon right in front of our eyes. On November 7th against SEC rival Georgia, that reality was almost experienced by Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts.
Pitts, labeled college’s top prospect at the position, was subjected to a punishing helmet-to-helmet hit early in the second quarter. The hit brought forth an ejection for the UGA player while Pitts also had to exit the game. The tackle left Pitts motionless for a few seconds and, moments later, fans witnessed the first-round prospect struggling to get to his feet. He was dealt with a concussion and a broken nose, which required surgery.
As expected, Florida took precautionary measures with its talented pass catcher and kept him out for the following two contests, both comfortable wins. The 6’6, 240-pound playmaker returned last Saturday against Kentucky and, despite the hiatus, he didn’t miss a beat. The Philadelphia, PA native was on the receiving end of all three passing touchdowns en route to 99 receiving yard game in a 24-point victory.
While Pitts nor anyone in his camp has said anything of the sort publicly, his injury just a few weeks ago begs the question: Should he play another college snap? The renowned Mel Kiper Jr. praises Pitts’ ability and has him ranked as the 23rd best college prospect. Daniel Jeremiah, one of the shrewdest college evaluators, said Pitts is a near clone of Las Vegas Raiders stud Darren Waller.
The decision to curtail your college season for greener pastures isn’t new. In 2016, Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey skipped their respective final games, and both were selected in the top-10 in the following NFL Draft. The 2019 college bowl season saw some of its biggest names follow suit, including Andrew Thomas (fourth overall pick), CJ Henderson (ninth overall pick), and Mekhi Becton (11th overall pick). All of those players decided to preserve their health rather than play in their final game.
While the previously listed players all jettisoned the college game for the professional ranks, none were slated to partake in the college football playoff. While UF’s chances are slim, Pitts and the team may end up in the thick of it. The Gators are ranked sixth nationally behind undefeated Alabama, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, and two one-loss teams in Clemson and Texas A&M (the only team to beat UF this year).
Regardless, should Pitts subject himself to further bodily harm even if UF scratches its way into the playoff?
The decision to leave the UF program would bring a lot of negative attention and probably slander to his name. The decision would make it clear that Pitts is prioritizing himself above the program, which is an absolute no-no in the sport of football. But, to invoke former Philadelphia Eagles great Ricky Watters: “For who? For what?’”
College athletes are expected to put the program first, themselves second. It doesn’t matter if student-athletes are unpaid and overworked while the adults in the room–the coaches, that is–leave their respective programs before the season comes to an end for ‘a better’ opportunity elsewhere. Remember how Brian Kelly spurned Cincinnati for Notre Dame before the Bearcats played in the Sugar Bowl?
These indentured servants (college athletes, that is) risk body and limb for a chance to play on Sundays while the coaches ink their name to million-dollar contracts. Despite the imbalance, it’s the players who must display loyalty and sacrifice.
Very shortly, households across America may become familiar with Kyle Pitts. I say ‘may’ because, as the sport has shown, you are not guaranteed to finish the competition with your health. While the scrutiny would certainly come his way–and it may well feel like an avalanche–I would rather see Kyle Pitts trending on social media for being ‘selfish’ than see him trending as Marcus Lattimore did eight years ago.
