Chris 'Mad Dog' Russo unloads on 'major problem' he has with Stetson Bennett playing college football at 25
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo wasn’t ready to pat Stetson Bennett on the back after the Georgia quarterback led the Bulldogs to their 2nd straight national championship.
The longtime sports personality, who hosts “Mad Dog Unleashed” on SiriusXM and is a weekly guest on ESPN’s “First Take”, discussed the “major problem” he has given the fact that Bennett is 25 years old and still playing collegiately.
“Twenty-five years of age, playing quarterback for Georgia? He should have left after last year,” he said. “I didn’t know that he was that old.”
While Russo noted the fact that several punters in college football are older — usually those from Australia that came to the U.S. after playing rugby — he argued that an older quarterback is a different story. He also mentioned that he “had a problem with it” when former Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke won the Heisman Trophy as a 28-year-old in 2000 and, in fact, didn’t vote for him to win for that reason.
“How about, if you’re 40 you can play? What is the cut-off date?… When does it get to that scenario when it gets to be a joke? 30? What is the age? There’s got to be an age when it’s enough already.” he wondered.
In Russo’s defense, Bennett very well could have left for the NFL last season. But the rest of it is a good old-fashioned hot take at best and a straw-man argument at worst. Perhaps Russo should just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Georgia fans certainly will be making their feelings felt about this particular opinion, that’s for sure.
Mad Dog Russo has a huge problem with Stetson Bennett leading @GeorgiaFootball to another championship at age 25.#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/FRXxIxcXjv
— Funhouse (@BackAftaThis) January 10, 2023
Chris Wienke strenuously objects. Whatever “Mad Dog”.
This guy is oblivious. Stetson knew he did not have a high draft stock last year, so he returned for business reasons.
Just another media idiot.
Lsusmc…
You are the idiot…
You’re the troll. I’m throwing you a bone by responding. Enjoy.
Lsusmc…
Isn’t it interesting that you began following me around…
There you go again lying to yourself…
Hang in there buttercup…
Lol!
Go Vols!
Yankee sports guys should stick to bad mouthing the Rangers & Knicks.
This argument is so fallacious. Stet didn’t have a day more eligibility that any other player out there. He redshirted one year and played 5, like most pandemic super-seniors. His age is immaterial, especially when he spent half his college career on the sidelines or in Div III. He’s the same age as some NFL QBS cuz they were 3-and-out, while he had to labor for 3 additional years through the pandemic to have a prayer at a shot at the league. Such a petty, butthurt take.
Thems the rules guy
Your age should not matter. If you are making progress toward a degree you should be eligible for at least 5 seasons. Limits on quarters speared could be an improvement. Freshman v Freshman intercollegiate games might be good if well reffed.
Tim “Pops” Frisby, was 40 years old and playing at SC under Lou Holtz.
I believe there was a guy that was like 45 yrs old playing running back at South Carolina State if I am not mistaking.
It was Joe Thomas and I was wrong. He was 55 years old when he became the oldest to play in Division 1 football. I’m 56 . Here’s to all us “old” guys out there. “So you’re saying there’s a chance.”
Another yankee from New York who doesn’t know s–t about College Football.
They seem to be everywhere.
Stetson isn’t projected as o be drafted and this dude says him being 25 is unfair lol.
Funny how no one gave a shít till he started winning natties . . .
Bennett knows his playing days are over. Dawg won’t get a sniff from NFL.
Another idiot who knows nothing.
Absolutely. I think Bennett can have a Colt McCoy/Chase Daniels type of career. I don’t get the hate at all.
Wish we could wager with some of the idiots on this site.
I was thinking the exact same thing. Anonymity sure creates keyboard warriors.
That take will likely go the same way as your SECCG prediction.
He probably made more money at UGA this season than he would have made in 6-7 years as a late round pick or UDFA.
Dear Mr. Russo,
There is no age limit for college football. One might think anyone whose job is sports commentary would know that. Now you do.
…and for the record it’s pronounced like (Win-key). 2 syllables and you call yourself a sports commentator. It sounds like he was a little inebriated when criticizing Stetson.