Anyone else feel this way about Nico?

#101
#101
I actually felt bad for Nico when everything was unraveling in Spring. It looked like his dad was controlling the decision making process, etc. Also there were many narratives swirling and I could understand Jico's frustration that we did not do enough to add skill talent in the transfer portal.

With that said, I lost a lot of empathy for him when he recently confirmed he visited Oregon for the UCLA game. That signals to me he already had one foot out the door and was snooping around early in the season.
 
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#102
#102
Volanta said:
I’m not even mad anymore, I feel sorry for him. Serious question: how much of his money do you think he even sees? How many people are mooching off him? He reminds me of a child actor surrounded by vultures- people who are supposed to love him- giving him the worst advice.

And for those who say, “He’s in his 20s; he’s a grown man!” true, but in some cultures, obeying your parents is paramount and rarely questioned. I feel like we’re watching a train wreck, and it’ll only get worse week by week.

Am I too soft?
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I was never really MAD at him. Disappointed is the best word I can think of to describe my sentiments. It became clear after awhile that Nico’s Dad and his agent failed him, and that Nico also probably wasn’t a fit for several reasons. I really hoped he would do well, but that we would also be just fine.

That said, Nico is a multimillionaire. He may never go pro and will have more from 18 throughout the majority of life if he manages his money well and the vultures don’t pick him apart.

I can’t help but wonder how much we will see what might be potentially happening here. The amount of effort and resources that kid and his family invested into his development are beyond typical. Continuing that progress throughout college and NFL is most likely exhausting. So, I wonder how many kids will “cash out” during college vs continue the grind into the pros.

Think about it. Some pros don’t even make what Nico was and is making and only for a short time in the pros. Kids now can make that money in early years, invest or build their dreams and never have to put that additional wear on their bodies and lives.
 
#103
#103
Tenacjim said:
I’m not sure if his parents actually have jobs or if “pimping their kids” is their jobs. I have heard conflicting reports. If not and any and all money he and his brother get through NIL is the family sole source of income, it will not last long (especially in California).

As for how I “feel” about him? I support everybody who wears the Power T. I have an affinity for “true” VFLs and consider those who leave early NAV (Not A Vol). circumstances of departure matter. Dalton Bargo from the baseball team was a victim of not getting drafted and not having a seat here when the music stopped. I wish him much success unless NC St is playing the Vols.

As for Nico, it may sound petty but I hope this ends up being the worst decision he ever makes in his life. Not because I wish him ill personally, but due to the visibility I would hope future players would pause and think before “pulling a Nico”….

Joey is the MAN this year!
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Actually, hoping its the worst decision he makes in his life is not a bad thing. He's got a whole life ahead of him - hopefully he learned from this to make better in future. That said, I will be happy not to hear further about him.
 
#104
#104
Volanta said:
I’m not even mad anymore, I feel sorry for him. Serious question: how much of his money do you think he even sees? How many people are mooching off him? He reminds me of a child actor surrounded by vultures- people who are supposed to love him- giving him the worst advice.

And for those who say, “He’s in his 20s; he’s a grown man!” true, but in some cultures, obeying your parents is paramount and rarely questioned. I feel like we’re watching a train wreck, and it’ll only get worse week by week.

Am I too soft?
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The stupidity of his handlers is on another level, but they can't put the toothpaste back in the tube. If they are/were siphoning money from him, they screwed themselves out of what Tennessee was willing to pay him and what he's rumored to be getting at UCLA. After seeing him play and the level of talent around him, I do feel bad for him but not at a level where I wish he was back at the real UT.
 
#106
#106
Volanta said:
I’m not even mad anymore, I feel sorry for him. Serious question: how much of his money do you think he even sees? How many people are mooching off him? He reminds me of a child actor surrounded by vultures- people who are supposed to love him- giving him the worst advice.

And for those who say, “He’s in his 20s; he’s a grown man!” true, but in some cultures, obeying your parents is paramount and rarely questioned. I feel like we’re watching a train wreck, and it’ll only get worse week by week.

Am I too soft?
Click to expand...
Yeah you are too soft. There is no reason to feel sorry for him. He tried extortion to do something most of us would kill to have the opportunity to do. His heart was never here (apparently). A 20 year old today isn't the same as a 20 year old 30 years ago. College athletes are being paid millions. They better grow the **** up and perform/act like the professionals they are. Age is irrelevant.

Frankly I think it's funny that someone besides UT was stupid enough to fork over truckloads of money for an average to mediocre player.
 
#109
#109
GVF said:
There's gonna be some tax problems down the road too that the players are not preparing for. If these NIL's are regular interval payments accross the season or calendar year, they travel to different states just like the pros. They gonna be tangibly earning this income in mutliple states.
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they are paid monthly but there was should chatter about them getting NIL deals up front this summer because of the house settlement. Not clear why but that is what I've learned

and yes, there will be tax issues for these kids.
 
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#110
#110
We could've been stuck with PJB or been rid of him before Spring practice.

College Football May See Rule Change That Could've Kept Nico Iamaleava at Tennessee | Rocky Top Insider

NCAA Football Oversight Committee voted to support a single transfer portal window that would take place in January.
www.rockytopinsider.com www.rockytopinsider.com


According to a report from Ross Dellenger, the NCAA Football Oversight Committee voted on Thursday in support of a single transfer portal window. This would take place in early January that would last 10 days, eliminating the spring transfer portal window. Dellenger clarified that it is not a done deal, though, with the Administrative Committee still needing to formally adopt the change later.

This would eliminate the window that saw the Vols lose and gain talent this past cycle. Most notably, Iamaleava, the returning starting quarterback for Tennessee, exited in this period and found his way to UCLA. Safety Jakobe Thomas, who would’ve contended to start on the defense, also departed for Miami.
 
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#112
#112
It looks like he figured he could not live up to his billing and salary so he tried to grab the biggest ring possible before he was exposed. I guess he can't put on weight because he looks thinner this year than last year. Since his greatest skill is running that does not bode well for him.
 
#114
#114
DiderotsGhost said:
I feel like people are reading too much into Arch overthrowing a few passes in a game where he was playing the defending national champ and effective #1 team in the nation on the road. He was under constant pressure and was going against a DC that won 3 Super Bowls. I don't know if he's legit or not, but the degree of difficulty was pumped up to 11! He could still end up having a good season.

Whereas, Nico ... it's possible he doesn't get to 5 wins this year.
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That’s a tough first start on the road
 
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#115
#115
Volanta said:
I’m not even mad anymore, I feel sorry for him. Serious question: how much of his money do you think he even sees? How many people are mooching off him? He reminds me of a child actor surrounded by vultures- people who are supposed to love him- giving him the worst advice.

And for those who say, “He’s in his 20s; he’s a grown man!” true, but in some cultures, obeying your parents is paramount and rarely questioned. I feel like we’re watching a train wreck, and it’ll only get worse week by week.

Am I too soft?
Click to expand...
People act like we plucked him from some jungle with the “in some cultures” bit. Dude is an American guy who grew up alongside other Americans. The idea of going against your parents’ wishes isn’t some unfathomable idea.

The guy made a bad decision in college, like millions of people every year. He isn’t going to become generationally wealthy, like 99.99% of us. He will spend most of his adult life as a professional in something other than sports, like 99.999% of us. I don’t feel anymore sorry for him than I do for anyone else. Very few of us are good enough to play pro football, so after he bounces around a couple practice squads, he will just have to watch on the couch like the rest of us. With any sense, he will have a better financial start to his post-college career than just about anyone who doesn’t come from money, even if he only manages to just have a few hundred thousand left.
 
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#116
#116
G0BtDcHXsAAvL39
 
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#117
#117
Yep. All 30,000 of them.

You never were, you aren't, and you never will be special. Some day you will realize that the first 20 years of your life were a lie that your Father sold you on.

For once, Da'Rick Rogers was spot on.
 
#123
#123
SpaceCoastVol said:
Yeah you are too soft. There is no reason to feel sorry for him. He tried extortion to do something most of us would kill to have the opportunity to do. His heart was never here (apparently). A 20 year old today isn't the same as a 20 year old 30 years ago. College athletes are being paid millions. They better grow the **** up and perform/act like the professionals they are. Age is irrelevant.

Frankly I think it's funny that someone besides UT was stupid enough to fork over truckloads of money for an average to mediocre player.
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Let it go bro
 
#124
#124
Volanta said:
I’m not even mad anymore, I feel sorry for him. Serious question: how much of his money do you think he even sees? How many people are mooching off him? He reminds me of a child actor surrounded by vultures- people who are supposed to love him- giving him the worst advice.

And for those who say, “He’s in his 20s; he’s a grown man!” true, but in some cultures, obeying your parents is paramount and rarely questioned. I feel like we’re watching a train wreck, and it’ll only get worse week by week.

Am I too soft?
Click to expand...
I don’t think you’re wrong. Nico was an elite volleyball player. He doesn’t have a football mentality. I think his dad made him switch from his true sport to football because that’s where the money is. I don’t think the kid even likes playing football.
 
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#125
#125
NighthawkVol said:
I don’t think you’re wrong. Nico was an elite volleyball player. He doesn’t have a football mentality. I think his dad made him switch from his true sport to football because that’s where the money is. I don’t think the kid even likes playing football.
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Makes for a good 30 for 30 film years later
 
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