Nebraska Football: Social media roils Zavier Betts’ departure
Nebraska football is down another receiver as Zavier Betts has left the team for a second time and appears to be quitting football entirely.
It’s never fun to see a player with the talent and ability of Zavier Betts decide that football is not for him, especially when the wide receiver spent most of 2023 looking like he was gonna be the ultimate feel-good comeback story.
But on Saturday, Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule confirmed rumors that started swirling on Friday. Betts is, indeed, no longer with the Huskers. And this doesn’t appear to be a transfer portal situation. Betts is likely done with football altogether.
Speaking to the media after Saturday’s scrimmage, Rhule said Betts told him and the rest of the Nebraska football coaches that his heart simply wasn’t in it anymore. Not long after the announcement, social media went to work.
There were reactions to the Zavier Betts news that were largely positive. And then there were those that were best kept to themselves.
The one thing that was consistent is that it seemed like everyone had a reaction to the latest hit to a Nebraska football roster that hasn’t had a ton of great news of late.
Reactions to Nebraska football player Zavier Betts leaving the team
When it comes to the most accurate and well thought out reactions, look no further than Husker Max’s Dave Feit.
I have zero patience for people shitting on Zavier Betts for a decision he made.
— Dave Feit (@FeitCanWrite) August 12, 2023
It's not one that I could imagine doing, but I haven't been in his shoes (or in his head).
I hope he can find something he's passionate about.
That take was echoed by a few others who certainly seem to understand that Betts did not somehow “wrong” Nebraska football or its fans by deciding he didn’t want to play anymore.
Sucks Zavier Betts is no longer with the team again. If his heart’s not in it, then his heart’s not in it. Wish him nothing but the best.
— Adam Carriker (@AdamCarriker94) August 12, 2023
Zavier Betts has officially left the team.
— HuskGuys (@HuskGuys) August 12, 2023
This makes me sad.
The news regarding Zavier Betts stepping away from Nebraska Football (again) is a tough blow.
— Derrick Pearson (@derrickpearson) August 12, 2023
#GBR but lay off Zavier Betts for chrissakes . He doesn’t want to play for whatever reason is none of your freakin business
— Max'sDad (@traitortrumpy) August 12, 2023
There were also those who just seemed to feel as though they absolutely had to rip into Zavier Betts. I’ll never understand the idea that these young guys “owe” something to people sitting at home and raging about their decisions on social media, but those people are out there for sure.
If those people are not angry at him why are you? https://t.co/bKC6C8OqAT
— Husker Corner (@theHuskerCorner) August 12, 2023
Regarding Zavier Betts, I don't need to know all that much more other than Rhule saying that Betts told him, "His heart's not in it."
— Steven Sipple (@steven_sipple) August 12, 2023
Football, especially big-time college football, isn't well-suited for those whose "heart's not in it."
Whatever the reaction to Betts departing, the Nebraska football team now has to move on with a shockingly thin wide receiver room, especially thin in regards to experience.