Justin State Quarterback, Ohio Fields, began a petition asking the Big Ten to relaunch the 2020 football season, a petition that had more than 30,000 signatures starting at 12.30pm ET on Sunday.
The field tweeted Sunday that “this cause is close to my heart” and urged people to sign the petition. The campaign said it is asking the Big Ten to make their players and teams their own choices on whether to play or say goodbye to the fall season.
The petition follows the Big Ten’s decision to postpone the 2020 season based on medical advice and a vote from the conference’s presidents and chancellors.
In the petition, Fields wrote that players believe “the security protocols have been established and can be maintained to reduce exposure concerns to Covid 19.” He goes on to say that he feels the players need to make decisions about what is best for their health and their future.
A Big Ten spokesman and Commissioner Kevin Warren did not immediately return a request for comment.
Some parents of Big Ten players have also spoken out about their desire to let their sons play, as parents from Iowa, Penn State and Ohio State have all issued letters to Warren seeking answers as to why the season was canceled. and what happens next.
Christopher O’Shaughnessy, whose son, Michael, is a punter in Ohio State, said he signed the petition and that the parents are proud of Fields and what he does.
“If you’re telling us it’s not safe for our kids to be in practice or in the games, tell us why. We want to know,” O’Shaughnessy said. “If we were to protect our children from anything, we would want to know what that is. The Big Ten have not shared any of that information with us, and that’s where I’m going crazy.”
Older Nebraska players plan to release a letter of their own on Sunday afternoon to express similar concerns about the postponement of the season, and encourage the Big Ten to return its decision.
ESPN’s Heather Dinich contributed to this report.
