Minnesota WR Bateman cleared to play

[ichawk24]

Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman cleared to rejoin team, will change number to stand against racism

Bateman will wear No. 0 instead of No. 13 in 2020.

sports.yahoo.com

Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman cleared to rejoin team, will change number to stand against racism


Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman is officially back with the Gophers. And he’ll have a new number as a statement against racism.

The school said Wednesday that Bateman had been cleared by the NCAA to rejoin the team after he had opted out of the postponed season. When Bateman opted out of the season to prep for the NFL draft, he had signed with an agent. That move typically ends an athlete’s college eligibility. But the Big Ten’s rescheduled season means that the NCAA is smartly showing leniency for players who had said they wouldn’t play in a potential spring season.

“I want to thank the NCAA, Big Ten and our compliance office for working together and coming to a resolution that restored Rashod’s eligibility and allows him to play this fall,” Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said in a statement.

“Rashod represents everything that is right about college football and I am filled with joy for him. He has always wanted to be a Gopher and now has the opportunity to wear a Minnesota jersey again. Rashod is one of the best football players in the nation, but he’s even a better person, teammate and son.”

🟡0️⃣🟡 pic.twitter.com/4mPORL0bzW
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) September 30, 2020

Bateman changes to No. 0
Bateman previously wore No. 13 with Minnesota. With the NCAA now allowing players to wear No. 0 this season, he’s going to wear that number as a statement that racism should be eradicated.

“I am also proud of Rashod for utilizing his platform to encourage social change,” Fleck wrote. “This season he will be wearing No. 0, which represents that there is zero tolerance for racism in our culture and is a call to action to end racism in our society.”

Bateman had 60 catches for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2019 as Minnesota went 11-2 and beat Auburn in the Outback Bowl. With Bateman and QB Tanner Morgan back in 2020, the Gophers should have one of the best quarterback-receiver combinations in the country.

 

[TouchdownMyPants]

Given how close the contest was last year in IC, you have to think that this makes them the favorite against IOWA this year.

 

[MepoDawg#]

Given how close the contest was last year in IC, you have to think that this makes them the favorite against IOWA this year.

Even taking into account how many other starters each team lost? I’m sure they’ll be favored on betting sites, but I think Iowa beats them.

 

[TouchdownMyPants]

Even taking into account how many other starters each team lost? I’m sure they’ll be favored on betting sites, but I think Iowa beats them.

To be honest, I can’t even really recall everyone who Iowa lost from last year because it has been so long since we played. I know Stanley, Wirfs, Epenesa, Ojemudia and Lattimore will be tough to replace, but I have no idea who Minnesota lost.

 

[MepoDawg#]

Minnesota: 7 offensive starters back. Lost best receiver, but return another really good one noted above. Lost all-time all purpose yard leader RB Smith and Smith another running back who played a good amount. Adjusting to new offensive coordinator as well. So they lost quite a bit of offensive firepower but have some back.

On defense they lost most of their starters. And some backups.

 

[H4wkfan4life]

Given how close the contest was last year in IC, you have to think that this makes them the favorite against IOWA this year.

Didn't they lose like the whole defense??


And didn't bateman quit school?

If so that's a crock of shit

 

[hawkquiz]

He hired an Agent. As soon as he did that I think he should have lost amateur status.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

Antoine Winfield made that team.

 

[DutchyFunStar]

You can wear 0 now? That's the biggest takeaway from the article. How stupid is that going to look? What are mascots going to wear now?

 

[pharmdfd]

Last year they had 2 good WR’s so will be easier to double RB this year. Also seemed like their favorite pass play is to chuck it deep for them to try and go up for it. Put a safety over the top and take him out of the game like the patriots D would do.

 

[Hawk94Mn]

Minnesota hasn’t found out how to block 5 on 4 against our Dline. They run a lot of zone looks but thats all we practice against all preseason and it’s done a lot better.

 

[NevadaHawk]

He hired an Agent. As soon as he did that I think he should have lost amateur status.

Agreed, it doesn't right he can return to the team and play.

 

[JerseyCityHawki]

Given how close the contest was last year in IC, you have to think that this makes them the favorite against IOWA this year.

I hope you’re right on that one ... me thinks so as Minnesota is still a bottom dweller in my eyes

 

[timothynelson53]

He hired an Agent. As soon as he did that I think he should have lost amateur status.

Same for Iowa players?

 

[hawkquiz]

Same for Iowa players?

Absolutely, the same for Iowa players. If say, Alaric Jackson signed with an agent, and then wanted to come back, I would also be saying no he shouldn't be allowed back.

 

[DodgerHawki]

Agreed, it doesn't right he can return to the team and play.

Normally I would agree with you, but in August when the Big 10 cancelled the commissioner said very definitively the issue "wouldn't be revisited." So Bateman got on with getting ready to become a pro.

Big 10 and NCAA seem open to lawsuits if they denied this.

 

[Xerxes_]

Hearing a lot of talk about Minnesota losing 2 starters on the OL (Faalele & Dunlap) and one starting WR (Douglas).

But with Bateman and Autman-Bell they'll have a good 1-2 punch and they've recruited there well too.

 

[David1979]

Absolutely, the same for Iowa players. If say, Alaric Jackson signed with an agent, and then wanted to come back, I would also be saying no he shouldn't be allowed back.

And I would saying he should be allowed. I think they all should be allowed. I think rules will be changed to match basketball agent rules pretty shortly.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

The agent question is different this year. With that being said: was he in school taking classes? If the answer is: i have agent and have not been taking classes, then no you should not be allowed.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

Normally I would agree with you, but in August when the Big 10 cancelled the commissioner said very definitively the issue "wouldn't be revisited." So Bateman got on with getting ready to become a pro.

Big 10 and NCAA seem open to lawsuits if they denied this.

Batemon opted out before the season was cancelled. I could see that argument if he’d have done it after. But being he did it August 4th and signed with an agent feel like that was too much. My opinion is you got to draw the line somewhere even with covid.