Travis Etienne Returning to Clemson is an Irresponsible Decision Due to RB Shelf Live in NFL
By Brendan Balsamo
Very rarely do we see a running back exceed a ten-year career in the NFL. Running backs need to make the most out of the little time they have in the league in order to achieve financial success.
Because of how short typical running back careers are in the NFL, it's baffling to see back-to-back ACC Player of the Year Travis Etienne decide to return to Clemson for his senior season.
Matthew 16:26 “What will it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/r6ZifftnmM
— Travis Etienne Jr⁶? (@swaggy_t1) January 17, 2020
On Friday, Etienne posted a long message to Clemson fans on Twitter about his decision to return for his senior season. A three-year starter at the school, he's already shortening his future NFL career and for that matter his earnings.
Travis Etienne, 6th on the ACC’s all-time rushing list, is on pace to break the current record held by NC State’s Ted Brown by over 1,000 yards next year if he can keep pace with the 1,636 yards he has averaged over his past two seasons as Clemson’s feature back. Legend. pic.twitter.com/HPy7eMuouo
— Austin Pendergist (@apthirteen) January 17, 2020
There's no doubt Etienne is extremely talented, as he holds records at Clemson and is projected to break conference marks with his return next season, but if the Louisiana native were to think selfishly for a second, he might realize he's risking a surefire NFL contract by returning to school.
Travis Etienne: They're projecting me as a second-round NFL draft pick. That's four years, $2,856,324
— Matthew McGovern (@MatthewMcGovern) January 17, 2020
Dabo Swinney: Our boosters can pay more than that
Travis Etienne: I'm coming back for my degree pic.twitter.com/rBfSwRc9Wp
Life-changing money and an assured NFL contract would be given to Etienne if he entered the draft, so he's risking a lot by going back to Clemson for one more year. Running backs don't last long, and he's not making the most of his time.