Phillip Bates Quits: Sore Loser or Justifiable?

Iowa State quarterback Phillip Bates has just quit. Is he a sore loser or it this justifiable?

Ok, back up a second. If you’re like me, there are only a handful of teams that you follow consistently, at least enough to know the name of the backup quarterback. That’s right, Bates was the backup, not the starter. Unless you’re an Iowa State fan, you probably don’t know that.

Which you may or may not know is that the Cyclones have gotten off to a less than desirable start at 2-3. Their starter is Austen Arnaud, and this spring, the race for that position was close between Arnaud and Bates. In the past, Bates has been used as a receiver and he is currently second in rushing for Iowa State. Still, he wants to start as the quarterback.

Looking at his record (11 of 24 passes for 137 yards in the four games where he played), Bates isn’t a standout, nor is he horrible. Usually, I call people names and question the size of their penis when they pull stunts like this, leaving mid-season over the starting position.

Here, though, it might be justifiable. Look…I don’t think that Iowa State should be switching off QBs every game. In fact, I hate that idea. To me, two-quarterback systems are hilariously stupid. That said, Arnaud hasn’t proven himself to be an especially good asset to the team. Bates shouldn’t be warming the bench if giving him the starting position is what is best for the team. That can be really frustrating.

ISU coach Gene Chizik says he is “disappointed that Phillip is quitting our team.” He says that although he understand, he is “extremely disappointed that he is quitting two days prior to a game.”

The school will release Bates from his scholarship requirements, according to Chizik, giving him a chance to stay in school (at least for the fall) under his scholarship. It sounds like Bates isn’t going to be moving to another school. If he wanted to do that, it wouldn’t make sense to quit – you want to stay in shape so another school picks you up.

Maybe he’s just burned out from practicing and traveling but not getting the playing time. I can understand that. I’m curious as to his plans, though – will he transfer or is he now just another college football fan?

What do you think – is Bates a sore loser or is his decision to quit justifiable?

Pictures via Newscom.