UHND.com - Notre Dame Football, Basketball, & Recruiting

I can't begin to imagine what has been going through the mind of young Peyton Bowen. His high school team went deep into the Texas playoffs while he has been distracted by some universities sending Brinks trucks to his home promising to make him wealthy beyond his dreams. I certainly never faced that option but I did have the privilege of wearing a Notre Dame uniform. There was not a better feeling in the world, at least to me, than putting that uniform on. Fast forward through life, and now I have been blessed and fortunate to have Peyton Bowen money in my retirement funds. But I can tell you categorically that the opportunity to wear an ND uniform is far better than lots of zeros in my Raymond James account. He's putting a financial value on a priceless opportunity. Unfortunately, he doesn't have the perspective of an old man but rather he is making the decision with the limited perspective of an 18 year old kid. My own sons and grandchildren would likely follow Peyton's path and decision.The money will be spent or fade but the chance to represent Notre Dame will live forever and garner far more respect from others in life. At the end of the day, Peyton's choice will not materially affect the life of anyone reading this message board nor should it. Yesterday, the rich (Alabama, Georgia, OSU, etc.) got richer but Coach Freeman put together his second straight class of top recruits, and with good coaching, can compete with anyone. Personally, I wish Peyton Bowen, and his family, well.