Is Jeff Samardzija Nuts For Giving Up Football?

Question

He was definately going to be picked in the first round. Instead he took a $10 million contract to play baseball.

Answer 1

**** $10 mil is a lot and nfl contract aint guaranteed but he likes baseball
its a shame that talent is gone to waste with baseball

Answer 2

As the people said, there's more guaranteed money and less physical injury in football. He'll start off in the rookie/minor leagues, which will let him get up to pro-level speed, and then he'll make his break into the pros in two or three years. After that, all he needs to do is sign Scott Boras and he's in the money :)

Plus, if he still wants to keep his options open, its a lot easier to go from MLB to the NFL, rather than vice versa, as there's less contact and less injury in baseball.

It could just be personal reasons, too...he may like baseball more, his family may like him playing baseball more, maybe he just wants to be able to travel more and see more cities in a year - you only get eight away games a year in football, and three of those are always against your division rivals - or play more games in a year - 100something or whatever vs 16.

Not to mention he could always try to pull a Deion Sanders and go two-sport baseball/football and just miss the preseason for someone :D

Answer 3

If you make it big in baseball theres way more money, there were 2 players signed to 130 million dollar contracts, i think the biggest in the nfl right now is like 100....but i seriously hope he didnt go just for the different of a couple million, I like to think if he gives up football its just because he enjoys baseball more

Answer 4

I guess i understand why he did it. I mean in baseball you're guaranteed to last a lot longer than just til you're 30 like in the NFL, most guys last until they're 40 and some guys like Clemens are still going. Baseball contracts are also much bigger in terms of cash and that's probably what attracted him to it.

Answer 5

It all about guaranteed money. He could do well in the NFL, but there's less guaranteed money, and a whole lot more physical punishment.

He probably weighed his options, had good advice and went for the family security. He would have to work a lot harder to get 10 million guaranteed in the NFL. He's not a clear #1 WR out of the box...

Answer 6

I wasn't too shocked via his decision. he's a competent pitcher who can get the ball interior the better 90s and has approximately 3 different pitches that be can throw on a consistant foundation. He has solid length for a glass, too. via figuring out on baseball, he has the possibility to make lots greater money, and might have a durability that he does no longer have taking part in soccer. The routines are lighter, however distinctive, besides.

Answer 7

He took the sure thing...Hard to say he was wrong to take $10 million!

Jeff is set for life if he plays his cards right!

That is NOT nuts!

Answer 8

No way. Baseball players make more money and have longer careers. Also, with jarrett, meachem, and johnson entering the draft, i doubt he would be a first rounder.

Answer 9

not really...in the long run hell make more money playing baseball...they are some of the highest paid athletes of any sport (right up there w/ basketball)

and maybe he likes baseball more so for him it could be a win win situation.

Answer 10

Yeah, with having really only 2 yrs as WR, and how much he improved. Plus, with the money issue, he'd prolly still pitch, just for less money, but he'd also get money from football. I don't know why he wants do it...ugh...it makes me sad.