Where are they now (delistings / retirements since 2005)

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Yeh, I think this is where you're missing....and I'm not throwing a jab.
I've lived in the USA the last 24 years.
College football is massive in a way that isn't really easily described. For many many living here, it's bigger and certainly more meaningful than the NFL.
College is where so many Americans find eachother, having left home, very often their State, and create community and friend groups they maintain the rest of their lives. manifesting allegiances to that Universities sporting teams that is every bit as feral and intense as anything you'd see from any supporter group in the World.

I've been to NBA, NFL, NHL, US Open Tennis and MLS games in various parts of this country.
My best - by far - experience was seeing the Kansas Jayhawks (Basketball) play at Allen Field House (Kansas University Basketball home venue).

It's literally guttural. The student section bounces and chants for near the entire game.
The atmosphere is another level than professional sports in the US.
My sports bucket list includes seeing USC at Notre Dame Stadium below the Golden Dome.

Tennessee University, as is most of the South in America, is rabid about football and feel more kinship because before NIL deals, the kids really did only play for the Jersey and the fanbase. The money in pro sports as well as casual loyalty pro athletes display before happily moving on to their next employer only bolds this more sharply.

Anyone who visits the US and wants a pure sporting experience should try and attend College Football and Basketball games.
You'll never forget it.

Totally agree, but I was more commenting that people are only keeping tabs on Ross because he's playing College ball.

 

[cs61]

Yeh, I think this is where you're missing....and I'm not throwing a jab.
I've lived in the USA the last 24 years.
College football is massive in a way that isn't really easily described. For many many living here, it's bigger and certainly more meaningful than the NFL.
College is where so many Americans find eachother, having left home, very often their State, and create community and friend groups they maintain the rest of their lives, manifesting allegiances to that University's sporting teams that is every bit as feral and intense as anything you'd see from any supporter group in the World.

I've been to NBA, NFL, NHL, US Open Tennis and MLS games in various parts of this country.
My best - by far - experience was seeing the Kansas Jayhawks (Basketball) play at Allen Field House (Kansas University Basketball home venue).

It's literally guttural. The student section bounces and chants for near the entire game.
The atmosphere is another level than professional sports in the US.
My sports bucket list includes seeing USC at Notre Dame Stadium below the Golden Dome.

Tennessee University, as is most of the South in America, is rabid about football and feel more kinship because before NIL deals, the kids really did only play for the Jersey and the fanbase. The money in pro sports as well as casual loyalty pro athletes display before happily moving on to their next employer only bolds this more sharply.

Anyone who visits the US and wants a pure sporting experience should try and attend College Football and Basketball games.
You'll never forget it.

Interesting.

I work with a lot of U.S teachers, and when I ask them if they follow NFL many have said 'not really, I'm more into college football', which I didn't really get at first, given it isn't the highest level of the sport, but makes more sense after reading this post.

 

[The hands of stone]

My cousin played bball at college in the US.
At the first open training session they had , they got more to that than what he ever played in front of in the NBL or Europe in the pro's.

He wasn't even at a big name college . He said it was insane.
It's massive there. If you ever get to chat to someone who associated with a college you get a real feel for it.

 

[PenAndPaper]

Lets be honest...who wants to keep in touch with someone playing Sale 1sts

I don't know if you understand this concept of mates. Most people have mates that they previously worked with, that they are still mates with.

 

[rjslcM]

 

[flinchfree]

View attachment 2149889

Seeing him in that jumper.......he's dead to me.

 

[onthemoney]

Looks like Kaiden Brand has retired and is heading down the coaching path with West Adelaide in the SANFL

Daniel Caire Appointed Senior Men's Midfield Coach - West Adelaide Football Club

westadelaidefc.com.au

I think Brand may have had to retire due to concussions which you never want to see. Glad to hear he's moving into coaching.

 

[HedgeFund]

Guessing if he was not playing college ball nobody would remember him.

On reflection, this was a really poor guess.

 

[Nathan Detroit]

Yeh, I think this is where you're missing....and I'm not throwing a jab.
I've lived in the USA the last 24 years.
College football is massive in a way that isn't really easily described. For many many living here, it's bigger and certainly more meaningful than the NFL.
College is where so many Americans find eachother, having left home, very often their State, and create community and friend groups they maintain the rest of their lives, manifesting allegiances to that University's sporting teams that is every bit as feral and intense as anything you'd see from any supporter group in the World.

I've been to NBA, NFL, NHL, US Open Tennis and MLS games in various parts of this country.
My best - by far - experience was seeing the Kansas Jayhawks (Basketball) play at Allen Field House (Kansas University Basketball home venue).

It's literally guttural. The student section bounces and chants for near the entire game.
The atmosphere is another level than professional sports in the US.
My sports bucket list includes seeing USC at Notre Dame Stadium below the Golden Dome.

Tennessee University, as is most of the South in America, is rabid about football and feel more kinship because before NIL deals, the kids really did only play for the Jersey and the fanbase. The money in pro sports as well as casual loyalty pro athletes display before happily moving on to their next employer only bolds this more sharply.

Anyone who visits the US and wants a pure sporting experience should try and attend College Football and Basketball games.
You'll never forget it.

Very well encapsulated. I spent my college years at Michigan State and was in the Marching band and Basketball/Hockey bands every year I was able. My freshman year was Magic Johnson's NC year vs. Larry Bird and the Sycamores. I actually performed in South Bend three times during my stay. (Touchdown Jesus was more impressive to me than the dome LOL!).

Unfortunately, with the dawn of NIL and playoffs, college football has lost at least one person almost entirely. I barely follow the sport anymore. I don't blame the players nor necessarily the schools. The money Americans spend on sport is ridiculous and basically sucked out all the enjoyment for me personally. Don't want to get long-winded, but this is probably the main reason I only am really invested in/follow the NHL and Footy.