OldTimer’s Dugout - Off Topic Thread

Random funny story for the day:

When I was a kid, my older brother played for a baseball team called the "Bandits."
This is in the early/mid 80's, and times were just different then.

The last practice before the first weekend games, the team jerseys arrived.
Fresh out of the box, black jerseys (yes, you know I hated them) with bright blue numbers on the back and on the front, a nice new logo:


Screenshot 2025-04-11 103426.png

Talk about things that 13 year olds can't wear on the field anymore! 🤣 🤣 🤣
The late 70s/early 80s were an awesome time to come of age!
 
Nico missed practice today as confirmed by Chris Low. If he’s shopping for another new NIL deal after apparently receiving one in December, he needs to hit the road.
Chris Low reporting it shows that the previous report wasn't "Click bait" as some individuals assumed.

Give the keys of the car to Merklinger and if the season falls Ail to pieces half way through, then let the Frosh play....
 
Screw this drama, let Nico hit the road and give Merk a chance. We all knew this NIL business would cause dissension within programs and we won’t be the last one this happens to. This is what happens whenever you make a deal with the devil. Stop going after these 5 star babies and load up on the 4 stars.

 
Chris Low reporting it shows that the previous report wasn't "Click bait" as some individuals assumed.

Give the keys of the car to Merklinger and if the season falls Ail to pieces half way through, then let the Frosh play....
I knew it wasn’t clickbait. A guy at On3 isn’t going to make up a story out of the blue. There has been drama around Nico ever since his recruitment. That family isn’t worth the headache. Just cut bait and move on.
 
 
Chris Low reporting it shows that the previous report wasn't "Click bait" as some individuals assumed.

Give the keys of the car to Merklinger and if the season falls Ail to pieces half way through, then let the Frosh play....
#NicoGO! I’m done with this kid and family (if the reports are true).
 
I say good riddance and good for Tennessee on not budging. We can’t have kids and their family holding our program hostage. It’s $4M now but if he wanted to come back for a third season they would be asking $6-8M and a fourth season would be asking $8-$10M. These people need to be put in their place. Maybe this will be good for him to be humbled and tuck his tail and run back to the West Coast.
 
Kid has a chance to be a Legend in Tennessee. Vols fans always have looked after their own, even long after careers ended. Look at how we've stepped up for those who lost houses, lost loved ones, or battled health issues.

I get it that kids deserve to share a piece of the pie that the schools and the NCAA have been feasting on, but this is crazy. Once a deal is done, HONOR IT.

Sadly, what it will end up with is my lack of interest in going to football games. I can't stand it when Tennessee fans boo the Tennessee players, but if Nico goes down this road, he will deserve every single boo he gets for every single mistake he makes. You can't be 20 years old and make more in your college career than the people paying to watch you play make over their entire lifetimes and expect to be treated with respect when you lay an egg on the field.

It is sad. I wasn't ready for that level of scrutiny when I was 20. I can't imagine many of them are ready for it emotionally. But here it comes. Just look at how members of this message board are turning against him. Hope the greed is worth it to the young man; it wouldn't be to me.

Edit: I guess I am also really pissed about this because of all the reps Nico has stolen from players this spring who might actually WANT to be QB for Tennessee. That has put me over the edge. Paying players is one thing. Holding a coaching staff and team that has trusted in you hostage after spring practice is BS.
 
I say good riddance and good for Tennessee on not budging. We can’t have kids and their family holding our program hostage. It’s $4M now but if he wanted to come back for a third season they would be asking $6-8M and a fourth season would be asking $8-$10M. These people need to be put in their place. Maybe this will be good for him to be humbled and tuck his tail and run back to the West Coast.
Rumor mill saying UCLA has a offer in place so Nico and Madden can play on same team....makes sense somewhat....
 
Kid has a chance to be a Legend in Tennessee. Vols fans always have looked after their own, even long after careers ended. Look at how we've stepped up for those who lost houses, lost loved ones, or battled health issues.

I get it that kids deserve to share a piece of the pie that the schools and the NCAA have been feasting on, but this is crazy. Once a deal is done, HONOR IT.

Sadly, what it will end up with is my lack of interest in going to football games. I can't stand it when Tennessee fans boo the Tennessee players, but if Nico goes down this road, he will deserve every single boo he gets for every single mistake he makes. You can't be 20 years old and make more in your college career than the people paying to watch you play make over their entire lifetimes and expect to be treated with respect when you lay an egg on the field.

It is sad. I wasn't ready for that level of scrutiny when I was 20. I can't imagine many of them are ready for it emotionally. But here it comes. Just look at how members of this message board are turning against him. Hope the greed is worth it to the young man; it wouldn't be to me.

Edit: I guess I am also really pissed about this because of all the reps Nico has stolen from players this spring who might actually WANT to be QB for Tennessee. That has put me over the edge. Paying players is one thing. Holding a coaching staff and team that has trusted in you hostage after spring practice is BS.

I agree with much of this. The adults built the system and I would bet this ain’t the kid. There’s a school talking to someone in his camp, but clearly, not showing up to practice with your brothers…that’s on him, unless he’s sick or something.
 
I say good riddance and good for Tennessee on not budging. We can’t have kids and their family holding our program hostage. It’s $4M now but if he wanted to come back for a third season they would be asking $6-8M and a fourth season would be asking $8-$10M. These people need to be put in their place. Maybe this will be good for him to be humbled and tuck his tail and run back to the West Coast.
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