After a stunning loss to West Virginia on Saturday, things went from bad to worse for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Trailing 31-7 in the third quarter, star running back Ollie Gordon was injured and promptly left the game. At this point, Gordon only had 50 yards on 13 carries on the day.

After amassing over 2,000 all-purpose yards last year en route to multiple awards, speculation about Gordon’s next move is already beginning, starting with the ESPN broadcasters just minutes after he left the game.

“I think when I’m Ollie Gordon I put myself in his shoes, that’s not him, that’s me. I probably played my last game at Oklahoma State,” said former linebacker and current ESPN broadcaster Kirk Morrison. “His ultimate goal is to get promoted to the National Football League. He won a DOAK Walker and was named Offensive Player of the Year in the Big 12 last year. He wants to be in the National Football League right now, my health is my concern. I have to take care of Ollie and this could be his last appearance at Oklahoma State.”

Morrison later explained that he spoke less about the injury and more about the impending injury ahead of Gordon’s upcoming NFL career.

“If you look at this list of running backs on Mel Kiper’s board, Ollie Gordon is a top-five back for me,” Morrison said.

The broadcaster’s statement is certainly justified. Year after year, athletes prioritize their health and future over short-term success. Especially since OSU is headed for its third straight loss, two of which the team has already suffered at home.

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