De-Commit from De-Commit

Donate To GopherHole
L

LongSuffering

New member
Joined
Nov 28, 2023
Messages
13
Reaction score
20
Points
3
Can we use our time constructively and start a campaign to end the use of the term "de-commit"? Much like the phrase "my bad" which deflections responsibility and fails to actually apologize for the harm one person causes to another, the phrase "de-commit" deflects from the act of failing to follow through on an agreement or promise.

I propose that we cease supporting this gaslighting by no longer echoing the phrase and begin using the proper term, "renege", or one of its many synonyms:

re·nege
verb
  1. go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract.: "they have reneged on their promises to us" synonyms: default on, fail to honor, go back on, break, back out of, pull out of, withdraw from, retreat from, welsh on, backtrack on, repudiate, retract, go back on one's word, break one's word, break one's promise, do an about-face, cop out of, rat on
 




Linguistic accuracy aside, in today's climate the potential for misunderstanding or mispronunciation, and the resulting consequences, might well counsel against using the word you suggest.
 




A_Slab_of_Bacon said:
Jebus, now we gotta crap on kids who change their mind on what school they're going to?

View attachment 28963
Click to expand...
The issue is not kids having a choice. It's the practice of committing to reserve a space while knowing that they are going to keep their options open. And then, when they do find a better option sliding out of their first commitment through the use of a popular euphemism and the obligatory "conversation and prayer" post. It all feels very disingenuous and lacking in accountability.

Does it really benefit kids to promote this lack of any sense of commitment or obligation? Do we tell kids to propose to the first girl they meet in case nobody better comes along? "I'm sorry sweety but I'm decommiting from our engagement and I'm commiting to her cause she's hotter":ROFLMAO:
 

LongSuffering said:
The issue is not kids having a choice. It's the practice of committing to reserve a space while knowing that they are going to keep their options open. And then, when they do find a better option sliding out of their first commitment through the use of a popular euphemism and the obligatory "conversation and prayer" post. It all feels very disingenuous and lacking in accountability.

Does it really benefit kids to promote this lack of any sense of commitment or obligation? Do we tell kids to propose to the first girl they meet in case nobody better comes along? "I'm sorry sweety but I'm decommiting from our engagement and I'm commiting to her cause she's hotter":ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
Look, I agree I don't like the trend of lack of commitment, whether it be in football or in society in general, but we're not talking about marriage, or a legal contract here. I think I can handle a 17 year old choosing not to play for my favorite football team.
 



LongSuffering said:
The issue is not kids having a choice. It's the practice of committing to reserve a space while knowing that they are going to keep their options open. And then, when they do find a better option sliding out of their first commitment through the use of a popular euphemism and the obligatory "conversation and prayer" post. It all feels very disingenuous and lacking in accountability.

Does it really benefit kids to promote this lack of any sense of commitment or obligation? Do we tell kids to propose to the first girl they meet in case nobody better comes along? "I'm sorry sweety but I'm decommiting from our engagement and I'm commiting to her cause she's hotter":ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
Everyone in the process knows this is how it works.

That's how I do it with life too. I work someplace, and if there's a better offer I work someplace else. Or I move to a better house.

And yeah people do get divorced ... but in this case it's college football man, that's way less serious.

I am disappointed when players I wanted to see play for MN de-commit too, but it is their call, I respect it. The term is fine.
 
Last edited:

LongSuffering said:
Can we use our time constructively and start a campaign to end the use of the term "de-commit"? Much like the phrase "my bad" which deflections responsibility and fails to actually apologize for the harm one person causes to another, the phrase "de-commit" deflects from the act of failing to follow through on an agreement or promise.

I propose that we cease supporting this gaslighting by no longer echoing the phrase and begin using the proper term, "renege", or one of its many synonyms:

re·nege
verb
  1. go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract.: "they have reneged on their promises to us" synonyms: default on, fail to honor, go back on, break, back out of, pull out of, withdraw from, retreat from, welsh on, backtrack on, repudiate, retract, go back on one's word, break one's word, break one's promise, do an about-face, cop out of, rat on
Click to expand...
"my bad" makes no sense since "my" is a possessive pronoun and "bad" is an adjective. You can't have a "bad." A bad what? It's akin to saying "our slow."
 

Gophers1992 said:
Look, I agree I don't like the trend of lack of commitment, whether it be in football or in society in general, but we're not talking about marriage, or a legal contract here. I think I can handle a 17 year old choosing not to play for my favorite football team.
Click to expand...
As an example: I would be fine with the Pretzlaff kids announcement if he had said something like, "This was a difficult decision because I really liked the people at Minnesota and I was excited about being a part of their program but when I committed it was largely about the opportunity to play for Coach Rossi. With him coming to Michigan State and the added benefit of playing closer to home, family and friends, I have made the difficult decision to switch my commitment to Michigan State".

Damn! I could write these for kids and make money!
 

FanSinceTheFifties said:
"my bad" makes no sense since "my" is a possessive pronoun and "bad" is an adjective. You can't have a "bad." A bad what? It's akin to saying "our slow."
Click to expand...
"Bad" can be a noun per Webster's dictionary.

www.merriam-webster.com

Definition of BAD

failing to reach an acceptable standard : poor; unfavorable; not fresh : spoiled… See the full definition
www.merriam-webster.com www.merriam-webster.com
 



LongSuffering said:
As an example: I would be fine with the Pretzlaff kids announcement if he had said something like, "This was a difficult decision because I really liked the people at Minnesota and I was excited about being a part of their program but when I committed it was largely about the opportunity to play for Coach Rossi. With him coming to Michigan State and the added benefit of playing closer to home, family and friends, I have made the difficult decision to switch my commitment to Michigan State".

Damn! I could write these for kids and make money!
Click to expand...
Ok and what really would that change if he worded it that way? We all know this is most likely about Rossi.
 

There needs to be a penalty for committing (a contract) then disavowing your commitment. I suggest one year of ineligibility. Student athlete must complete a year of academic success before beginning to participate. Same with Transfer Portal. You move to another school, you get a year off. Like the old days.
 

FanSinceTheFifties said:
There needs to be a penalty for committing (a contract) then disavowing your commitment. I suggest one year of ineligibility. Student athlete must complete a year of academic success before beginning to participate. Same with Transfer Portal. You move to another school, you get a year off. Like the old days.
Click to expand...
Good luck with that.
 


FanSinceTheFifties said:
Yeah, you're right. It just sounds stupid to me. I still ask, my bad what?
Click to expand...
Generally, whomever one is communicating with will understand what the "my bad" is referring to in the context of a larger discussion.

It's synonymous with "I effed up." They will know unless it is just thrown out as some non sequitur.
 

Can't wait for a recruit to say they've selected Minnesota as their place holder. Meaning I'll go here as long as nothing more enticing comes along later. This already is what they're doing, they're just not saying it. Most of these kids are not actually committed in their hearts.
 



Gophers1992 said:
Ok and what really would that change if he worded it that way? We all know this is most likely about Rossi.
Click to expand...
It would be sincere and it would demonstrate a legitimate rationale for failing to follow through on his original commitment. Refreshing honesty and accountabililty.
 

FanSinceTheFifties said:
There needs to be a penalty for committing (a contract) then disavowing your commitment. I suggest one year of ineligibility. Student athlete must complete a year of academic success before beginning to participate. Same with Transfer Portal. You move to another school, you get a year off. Like the old days.
Click to expand...
Coaches too?
 

LongSuffering said:
It would be sincere and it would demonstrate a legitimate rationale for failing to follow through on his original commitment. Refreshing honesty and accountabililty.
Click to expand...
Yeah and when my company fired people I wish HR sent an email that said "Jimmy is fired because he spends too much company time on GopherHole", but it doesn't work that way, and I really don't care that much.
 

LongSuffering said:
Can we use our time constructively and start a campaign to end the use of the term "de-commit"? Much like the phrase "my bad" which deflections responsibility and fails to actually apologize for the harm one person causes to another, the phrase "de-commit" deflects from the act of failing to follow through on an agreement or promise.

I propose that we cease supporting this gaslighting by no longer echoing the phrase and begin using the proper term, "renege", or one of its many synonyms:

re·nege
verb
  1. go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract.: "they have reneged on their promises to us" synonyms: default on, fail to honor, go back on, break, back out of, pull out of, withdraw from, retreat from, welsh on, backtrack on, repudiate, retract, go back on one's word, break one's word, break one's promise, do an about-face, cop out of, rat on
Click to expand...
On second thought 💭, I’m going to decommit from this thread.
 



as I understood the OP, the question is over the use of the word "commit" and the use of the term "decommit" to signify that a player has decided not to honor the original commitment.

I tend to agree that a verbal commitment is often meaningless in today's college football climate.

but off the top of my head, I can't come up with a better term.

I thought about "intent" - as in "I intend to play football for Directional State."

but people might get that mixed up with the National Letter of Intent.

my other (sarcastic) thought - would "un-commit" be better than "de-commit?"
 

FanSinceTheFifties said:
There needs to be a penalty for committing (a contract) then disavowing your commitment. I suggest one year of ineligibility. Student athlete must complete a year of academic success before beginning to participate. Same with Transfer Portal. You move to another school, you get a year off. Like the old days.
Click to expand...

The actual commitment (contractually) doesn't come until signing day. These verbals are just lip service. Even the contractual commitment is short term with the current portal rules.

Heck, until signing day, coaches can and do push aside verbal commitments if a better player comes along.
 

LongSuffering said:
The issue is not kids having a choice. It's the practice of committing to reserve a space while knowing that they are going to keep their options open. And then, when they do find a better option sliding out of their first commitment through the use of a popular euphemism and the obligatory "conversation and prayer" post. It all feels very disingenuous and lacking in accountability.

Does it really benefit kids to promote this lack of any sense of commitment or obligation? Do we tell kids to propose to the first girl they meet in case nobody better comes along? "I'm sorry sweety but I'm decommiting from our engagement and I'm commiting to her cause she's hotter":ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
This is the part that mostly bugs me - the feigned piety. Did God show up as a burning football and tell you where to go play? You were given free will to make choices. You made a choice, reneged on it, and made a different choice. Don't let your ego assume it was some kind of divine intervention. Especially not over a damn sport.

Maybe the real lesson in all of this is don't get too hung up on "commitments" and instead look at who is on the roster in the fall. Those are the only real commitments. The rest is just a giant subjective game that funds websites and sells podcasts. But hey, they calculate those rankings to 4 decimal places, so it has to be accurate, right??? :)
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom