sport news ESPN's Todd McShay is slammed by Ohio State star Jaxon Smith-Njigba's family ... trends now
ESPN's Todd McShay is facing criticism from Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's family for suggesting the NFL prospect was putting his professional aspirations above the Buckeyes' upcoming College Football Playoff semifinal game against top-ranked Georgia.
Smith-Njigba announced earlier this week that he would not play in the all-important game against the Bulldogs on December 31 while he continues to rehabilitate a leg injury and prepare for the 2023 NFL draft. The AP Preseason All-American was hurt in the Buckeyes' opener against Notre Dame and played in just two other games. Details on the seriousness of his injury weren't disclosed through the season.
On Monday, McShay claimed NFL scouts told him that Smith-Njigba is 'healthy enough to play and he's protecting himself for the draft,' only to be rebuked by the receiver's family, including older brother Canaan, a Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder.
ESPN's Todd McShay is facing criticism from Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's family for suggesting the NFL prospect was putting his professional aspirations above the Buckeyes' upcoming College Football Playoff semifinal game against top-ranked Georgia
Smith-Njigba announced earlier this week that he would not play in the all-important game against the Bulldogs on December 31 while he continues to rehabilitate a leg injury and prepare for the 2023 NFL draft. The AP Preseason All-American was hurt in the Buckeyes' opener against Notre Dame and played in just two other games. Details on the seriousness of his injury weren't disclosed through the season
'If he was healthy he would be playing,' Canaan tweeted. 'Like what?? We not protecting our 'Draft stock' they know who JSN is when healthy. You sorry @McShay13 and so wrong to be on tv making these false claims.'
Smith-Njigba's father, Maada, also weighed in: 'Being [with] my son yesterday for his first day of rehab and seeing his limitations for myself gave me peace [with] our families (sic) choice to get my son healthy. Encouraging him [to] play would be selfish and abusive. I'm at peace [because] I know he's in the right hands [for] recovery.'
McShay didn't only report NFL scouts' believes that Smith-Njigba is healthy, but went on to say that league teams look down on players who skip bowl games to preserve their draft stock.
