The 2020 football season is on the verge of never happening. According to ESPN reports, the Power 5 commissioners held a “emergency meeting” on Sunday to discuss the upcoming season and whether it was not safe to move forward due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic concerns. According to ESPN, the Big Ten is “ready to pull the plug” on the fall sports season 2020, with some hope of moving it to the fall.
Big Ten presidents will be in talks Sunday night, after speaking on Saturday afternoon, to discuss what to do about the conference’s 2020 season. Kristina Johnson, president-elect of Ohio State, will be on call on Sunday night after she was not involved on Saturday.
These reports were followed by the Football Parents Association in Ohio State, a group of Buckeye parents including Amanda Babb, Kamryn Babbhis stepmother, Jim Gant, Dallas Ganthis father, Jo Ann Claudrick Fields, Justin Fields‘Mom and many others, decided it was time to address their concerns. Early on Sunday morning, the parents, who have a frequently used group chat, began discussing their ideas for a statement.
In the statement released Sunday night, the parents wanted to convey that they not only know that their sons want to play college football in the 2020 season, but that they believe their sons are safer in school and within the athletic facilities with the available medical staff than they would be as part of ‘ the general population.
The full statement is below:
Buckeye Nation and the College Athletic community:
In response to the ongoing discussions surrounding the 2020 football season, we want to give the Football Parents Association in Ohio State our thoughts on the situation.
We believe that Ohio State has set the standard for university athletics regarding safety and testing protocols to ensure safety of players, coaches and staff.
The FPAOS strongly advocates universal standards and protocols for use throughout the Ohio State leadership conference. Regular testing and supervision according to best practices should be the norm for all players who participate in fall sports. While we have full support for any player who chooses to retire for the season due to health concerns, this is a small percentage of athletes.
As parents, we strongly believe that our sons want to play next season and have found the full confidence of the university and coaching staff along with the medical professionals a safe way for that to happen. We believe that this age group represents some of the healthiest individuals, although we recognize that the risk cannot be eliminated, we believe that the risk is minimal and the season can happen safely and responsibly.
We respect our views may not be shared by others throughout the country, however, as parents of Ohio State players, we abide by the decisions made by our athletic department in conjunction with medical staff to 2020 football season to play.
Honestly,
FPAOS-BOARD
I have to tell you, I do not know that I have ever been proud to be a part of any organization. This statement from our parents fills my heart w / gratitude for associating w / such wonderful families! #nowonderouroungmenhavesuchclasscharacteractercourage #GoBucks #Fight https://t.co/LTAvgxKA4x
– Kerry Coombs (@DB_CoachCoombs) August 10, 2020
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Otherwise, not the only ones who believe this and do not want to see the 2020 football season 2020 canceled or postponed. The players who risk their safety by playing were clear that they feel safe at Ohio State and are willing to accept risks by participating in the season, like coaches.
The problem, both for parents, players and coaches, is the lack of standardized rules about the Big Ten. While the Buckeyes have handled the situation well, not every program and this statement encourages the conference to regulate every school and follow guidelines that have worked so well at Ohio State as opposed to leaving ship on the season before it begins.
