If Sanders Makes Right Choice, Arkansas Fans Need to Let It Go

Loyalty, bitterness over jersey number should be out the window if Razorback running back has heart where it should be

Author:
Kent Smith
Publish date:
Dec 7, 2023 9:58 AM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – It seems Arkansas fans have been a bit in their feelings the past couple of days. The departure of Raheim "Rocket" Sanders has them triggered.

Some of the grumbling has to do with the Razorbacks taking a risk on allowing a player many saw as a receiver and molding him into a running back. Essentially, they think Arkansas made Sanders and he should repay what was done by sticking around another year once he decided to not go to the NFL.

Additional talk, and this is where Arkansas fans get extra sensitive, has to do with the jersey. Sanders was allowed to wear No. 5. Much like the No. 7 at LSU, No. 5 carries a special place with Arkansas fans. It was given its revered status by Darren McFadden, a record setting back near the turn of the century who was twice a Heisman finalist, including one season Razorback fans will come to blows over if people don't agree he was robbed.

To be fair, a sizable chunk of the base isn't necessarily upset Sanders is leaving. As the years of NIL and the transfer portal have dragged forward into history, Razorback fans have come to accept players leaving for their own benefit.

Instead, their issue is putting on the No. 5 jersey and then leaving. Had Sanders been No. 3 or No. 6, many who are bringing down the mood around the water cooler this morning would be in a better disposition.

But here's the reality. At the top of Sanders' social media page is a picture of his son. During his time at Arkansas, that's about as close as he's been able to be other than a few days here and there. If there is a man out there, who, given the opportunity to see his child on a more regular basis, chooses not to do that, then he's not a man at all.

Sanders has an opportunity now to make the right choice to be there. At some point this offseason, he will face a rather difficult choice. Odds are, he will have more time with his son in one hand, and more money to secure his son's future in the other. If he's reading this and struggling with such a decision, choose time with your son.

No amount of money can buy back time, nor the fullness your heart will have. It also can't buy the impact you will have on him by being a steady presence in his life. It's also easier to be motivated to put in the extra work needed, to push through difficult times, when the reason you are doing this crawls into your lap and looks at you as the provider and protector you are to be.

As for the people of Arkansas, it's understandable to be upset on the surface. McFadden was the man on the field and you will forever respect what he did. However, let's allow Sanders the opportunity to prove he's the man off the field. And if he makes the right choice, he will have earned the right for you to forever respect what he's done also.