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Subscribe to RSSLast week, Nightly News profiled Yale University quarterback Patrick Witt, who faced a tough choice. On Nov. 19, Witt could either lead Yale against arch rival Harvard University in New Haven, Conn., or he could interview for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship in his hometown of Atlanta.
More than 20,000 of you voted in our poll. Fifty-eight percent of voters said Witt should choose the Rhodes interview over the football game. But Yale University now reports Witt has withdrawn his application for the scholarship and will be playing against Harvard on Saturday.
"My focus this week is solely on preparing for the Game alongside my teammates and coaches," said Witt, as quoted on Yale's football page.
What is your reaction to Witt's decision?
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I would say 10 years from now, no one will remember this game, but it's more likely 10 minutes from now, no one will remember this game. I think the Rhodes folks are likely overjoyed to have such a moronic decision make their own application process that much easier.
Life is full of decisions with no do overs. California picked Arnie and learned their mistake. Americans picked Law Makers who do inside traders and boy did we learn that mistake. Penn State and Law Enforcement gave Sandusky a slap on the hand 20 years ago and learning that mistake. The good thing is this young man made the decision himself and their is another student who dreamed of being interviewed for a Rhodes scholarship and his/her dream is coming true. I remember the story of a funny looking hippie kid who face beamed with joy as he was offered a Rhodes scholarship and yes he finally got a hair cut and became our 42nd United States President who is known and respect all over the world, friends from Hope Arkansas still call him Bubba.
I wish Patrick the best and hope his decision works well for him and good luck at the game.
Goodness people. Don't you understand he is making the honorable decision by not letting his school and his team down. He is sacrificing a personal opportunity for the good of the whole. This isn't about a football game. It's about honor and integrity. Hope the Rhodes committee values that kind of moral character and moves his interview. He deserves a shot at the scholarship.
the Rhodes Scholarship is about charactor, honesty, commitment, and intellegence.
I would prefer that the did the Rhodes... but he is doing the right thing... he has a commitment to his team mates, his coaches, and his school... by honoring his commitment he shows character... he'll go far... and maybe still get the Rhodes...
I'm guessing (or hoping) his choice came more from reflection on what he really wants to do with his life than a shortsighted decision about playing in one game. At first I was baffled that he would drop this kind of opportunity -- I mean, it's a Rhodes Scholarship! But if he enjoys football more than academia (or any career that extended academic training would open to him), then he made the right decision.
It's really a pity the Rhodes Committee has just ONE day of interviews. Surely this young man is not the only applicant facing a tough call about being in Atlanta on THE day. Could the interview(s) not be held over two days? Could the interview(s) not be held in more than one city? What if any applicant at a sibling getting married on the ONE day of interviews? Or had an academic presentation to make at a convention or conference? Overseas? It just seems unfair that the Committee is not amenable to any flexibility in its search for the best candidates who by definition are more than likely to have other comittments and responsibilities.
It is probably safe to say that anyone who would give up a chance for a Rhodes scholarship for a football game probably wouldn't have made it past the first round in the scholarship interview. Remember, it is only a game, a game that will not go down in the record books, a game that no one will remember and win or lose will not define who he is out in the real world. I take comfort in the fact that my 20-somethings all said he should take the opportunity for the scholarship over a football game. BTW - the Rhodes committee does not have to be amenable or flexible for anybody...they are the RHODES Scholarship committee, not your local high school scholarship committee...
I'll preface my statement by saying I'm not now nor have ever been a fan of football, or any sport for that matter, but if this young man chooses to participate in a ballgame rather than be tested for a Rhodes Scholarship, I guess in the long run he's not Rhodes Scholar material to begin with.
amen.
It's not a football game. It's his commitment to be a leader. Leadership & commitment - two great measures of a person - and preferably measures of a Rhodes scholar.
This was an easy one. RESCHEDULE the interview with Rhodes. And PLAY the game. If Rhodes won't budge on the date, you won't want the scholarship anyway. With all that national publicity, it could be a big win for the Patrick Witt, for Yale and for Rhodes.