Whether you attended the Carolina football game against Kentucky this past Saturday or not, you have probably heard all of the controversy surrounding Jadeveon Clowney. Just minutes before the team was getting ready for the game, Clowney took himself out due to injury. Clowney has battles illness this season with a stomach bug and the flu, but this week it was bruising near the ribs and bone spurs in his right foot. He has apparently been dealing with these bone spurs since high school.
So now what? So many questions have come up since this unordinary occurrence. Is Clowney trying to save himself for the draft? Is that selfish? When will he come back? Or does he even care to come back? If Clowney were shutting himself down for the season to help with his NFL Draft selection, it would be reasonable after what happened to former teammate Marcus Lattimore. Yes, it could be considered selfish since Jadeveon Clowney is here to play football for the team, but it would be understandable for him to want to save himself from injury out of fear.
Clowney addressed the questions about shutting down for a potential No. 1 pick: “That’s people’s opinions. I’m here with my team everyday, practicing with my team.”
As for Clowney caring about the team and playing for the team he said, “Am I fully committed? Always. “I could’ve sat out. I’m not looking to sit out. I’m not that type of guy. I’m here for the team.’‘
It seems that we have nothing to worry about as far as Clowney’s dedication and will to play for the team. If he were trying to play it safe and save himself for his potential Draft selection, it could help him. However, many would argue that if he can play through his pain, he should because he is here to play for his team, his coaches, and the University of South Carolina.
All we can do now is hope for the best for Clowney and the team. He rejoined the team in practice this week and has been receiving treatments everyday. If Clowney returns to play soon, let’s root him on and Go Cocks!
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