By Mark Pszonak
Players opting out of mid-tier bowl games has become a norm that most people have already become accustomed to. However, when a top-level quarterback decides to do so at halftime of a game, it quickly gains attention. This is what happened with Cam Ward and Miami yesterday and as expected, the backlash was swift and abundant.
Considered a top five draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, it was very surprising that Ward had decided to play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Iowa State. Coach Mario Cristobal was asked about his quarterback’s decision during a press conference on Friday and gave these thoughts:
Canes coach Mario Cristobal speaking this morning on why Cam Ward wants to play in the Pop Tarts Bowl despite likely being a top pick in the NFL draft:
“Cam’s DNA, his upbringing, everything he’s made of and stands for is the right kind of stuff.”
(🎥 @PopTartsBowl) pic.twitter.com/5hifXTgrPF
— Will Manso (@WillManso) December 27, 2024
The problem is that Ward’s DNA only thought it was appropriate to play for the first half yesterday. With the Canes taking a 31-28 lead into the locker room, and with Ward having already passed for 190 yards and three touchdowns, the offense had to turn to Emory Williams in the second half. Williams completed 5 of 14 passes for 26 yards and one interception, and the Canes lost 42-41.
Ward’s first half did accomplish a personal goal, as he broke the Division 1 record for touchdown passes in a career with 156. But was this the only reason that he played in the game? Would he have played the second half if he didn’t already break the record?
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If the answers to either of these questions is yes, then Ward chose personal success over the team and that deserves the public reaction that has followed.
I appreciate that Cam Ward, in this day and age in CFB, played at all. But I just can’t imagine starting any game with teammates, especially as a quarterback, and electing to pull myself out while my teammates are still trying to finish the job in a back-and-forth battle.
I’m a…
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) December 28, 2024
This is a different age of college football and because of that players are open to more criticism. These aren’t just student-athletes scraping by to find enough money to buy a pizza on a Friday night, instead these are million dollar athletes who drive $100K cars to practice. And because of this, they are fair game to the response that Ward is receiving.
Coach Cristobal had an opportunity to explain the situation in the post-game press conference, but instead only stated that conversations between coach and player are private. A day after discussing Ward’s DNA and upbringing, his lack of a response didn’t help diffuse any of the outside noise.
Will this affect Ward’s draft stock or future? Obviously not. NFL teams are looking for talent and if any think that Ward is the answer for them, they will still draft him, and likely very high. But Ward will also be asked about his decision to not play the second half repeatedly during the next few months which is a distraction that no player needs during the spring.
This blackeye will heal over time, but it was a self inflicted wound that never should have happened. Nobody would have thought twice if Ward hadn’t played at all, but instead he put a negative spotlight on himself by playing a half. It was a bad decision that put a damper an an otherwise fantastic collegiate career.
