College football’s day abnormal
The college football world is in turmoil.
Here's what has unfolded in the last 36 hours of college football, beginning on Sunday, when early reports surfaced that the Big Ten was thinking of postponing the season in an attempt to hold it in the spring. It was an abrupt turn of events when a revised schedule to play in 2020 had just been released days earlier.
The big cancel news triggered a cascade of reactions.
Clemson junior QB Trevor Lawrence stated the reasons why he wanted to play and then the #WeWantToPlay movement.
“People are at just as much, if not more risk, if we don't play," he Tweeted. "Players will all be sent home to their own communities where social distancing is highly unlikely and medical care and expenses will be placed on the families if they were to contract covid19. Not to mention the players coming from situations that are not good for them/ their future and having to go back to that. Football is a safe haven for so many people. We are more likely to get the virus in everyday life than playing football. Having a season also incentivizes "Players being safe and taking all of the right precautions to try to avoid contracting covid because the season/ teammates safety is on the line. Without the season, as we've seen already, people will not social distance or wear masks and take the proper precautions.”
Then a senator from Nebraska drafted a letter intended for university presidents that was obtained by SINow.
“Here's the reality: Many of you think that football is safer than no football, but you also know that you will be blamed if there is football, whereas you can duck any blame if you cancel football. This is a moment for leadership. These young men need a season. Please don't cancel football.”
And then Indiana University offensive lineman Brady Feeney, who was hospitalized earlier this summer from complications due to COVID-19, gave his take.
“COVID-19 is serious. I never thought that I would have serious health complications from this virus, but look at what happened. We need to listen to our medical experts. I want to play, but I truly believe that we need it to be safe. Information on my medical history with COVID-19 is widely available."
By mid-morning, the Detroit Free Press reported the Big Ten was done.
“The Big Ten has voted to cancel the 2020 college football season in a historic move that stems from concerns related to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, multiple people with knowledge of the decision confirmed to the Free Press.”
“The presidents voted, 12-2, Sunday to end the fall sports in the conference. Only Nebraska and Iowa voted to play, Dan Patrick said on his radio show Monday.”
The responses were swift and direct: "Senior year ending like this??" Wisconsin's Eric Burrell.
"Heartbroken," Tweeted linebacker Jaylan Franklin.
"WeWantToPlay," Tweeted Jack Sanborn.
Well, hold on.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh released a statement said his program tested rigorously and found no positive cases over the last eight weeks.
"We have developed a great prototype for how we can make this work and provide the opportunity for players to play. If you are transparent and follow the rules, this is how it can be done," he said.
The Ohio State coaching staff also publicly protested the president's decisions.
"Swinging as hard as we possibly can right now for these players!!" said Ryan Day, head football coach.
And Nebraska said it would look at all options to play - even outside the conference.
"Play College Football!" was the early afternoon tweet from President Donald J. Trump.
Nebraska coach Scott Frost said: "I think our university is committed to playing football any way that we possibly can regardless of what anyone else does." Frost said if Nebraska can't play in the Big Ten, it is prepared to look at different options.
That said, while this news was breaking literally minute to minute, the NFL was still so optimistic:
“sorry in advance for yelling but ONE MONTH UNTIL KICKOFF.”
We use sports for so much. To reward ourselves with victories and trophies for hard work. To comfort ourselves with lessons in loss. To distract ourselves from our differences – and our disappointments.
And we have none of that now. And we're all fighting about it. ESPN reported Monday afternoon that a heart condition – that's rare – that could be linked with the coronavirus is one of the reasons for concern among Power 5 conference administrators.
"Myocarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle, has been found in at least five Big Ten Conference athletes and among several other athletes in other conferences, according to two sources with knowledge of athletes' medical care," according to the story.
We already know that many football players have always assumed a great deal of risk. We know a lot more about concussions for example.
But what's really interesting here, right now, may be this: "Our players deserve the opportunity to choose whether they play or don't play."
In a country that fought for its freedom and created a democracy that was, at one time at least, the envy of the world, this is a stance that feels logical. We are a country of voters (let's conveniently ignore the election turnouts, it's the ideology that's the point.)
Student-athletes should be consulted for their willingness to play under protocol, their understanding of medical guidelines and their concerns as well.
But the question remains: is playing college football - or any organized sport for that matter - a right?
Or a privilege?