It’s been a wild 72 hours in college football. Conferences have canceled seasons, others have stayed the course, players have organized together and rumors about the future of the 2020 season have swirled rapidly. The SEC is all-systems-going after the start of the only conference season on Sept. 26. That’s the plan as it is now, at least.
On Monday, several SEC coaches and athletic directors released statements about the future of the sport as the status of college football as a whole remains in limbo.
“I want to play, but I want to play for the sake of the players, the value they can create for themselves,” Alabama coach Nick Saban told ESPN. “I know I will be criticized despite what I say, I do not care about player safety. Look, players are a lot safer with us than they are at home. We have had a 2% positive ratio on our team since the fourth of “It’s a lot higher than that in society. We’re acting like these guys can’t get this unless they play football. They can get it anywhere, whether they’re in a bar or just hanging out.”
Florida coach Dan Mullen, who is entering his third season leading the Gators, also chimed in where he stands on the issue via his Twitter account.
“I am so proud of our players. Their commitment to medical guidelines to stay safe has shown their determination in preparing the right way for the season,” Mullen tweeted. “They deserve to play this fall. They’ve worked hard here. Let’s fight for them and find a way. #WeWantToPlay”
First-year Mississippi State coach Mike Leach, who is never afraid of a hot mic, found a way to weave dogs into conversation.
“I think I do not have to say anything, but I’m not a big fan,” said Leach of the Big Ten who was rewarded after postponing his season. “I think we need to make sure we’m right and that we follow science (COVID-19). People want to live their lives seven times, that we should strive aggressively as much as we can. At the moment college football does not have decided whether they were the dog or the car. They do not know if they will stay. “
Managers make their voices heard as well. LSU athletic director Scott Woodward issued a statement on Monday on the status of the season.
“We remain steadfast in our approach to the Southeast Conference, and take all available time to gather as much information as possible to make informed decisions,” he said. “We are united in our process and our focus on the safety and well-being of our student-athletes. The recent flood of reports on the athletics of colleges does not change this approach. As we have said since the beginning, we work patiently through “Every variable follows the direction of our Return to Safety and Medical Guidance Task Force. I believe our student-athletes want to play. We owe it to them to make every effort to do so safely.”
That statement came on the heels of Commissioner Greg Sankey’s Twitter statement.
“Best advice I’ve received since COVID-19: ‘Be patient. Take time when making decisions. This is all new and you will get better information every day. ”[The}SECissûntmaartbewustwestopelkestapfertrageweromkearneidepraktykfertrageearstespultsjeomrespektfoarbegjinfan’ehjerstesemestterespektearjentestprotokollenûntwikkelewywittedatsoargenbliuwe”skreauhy”WyhawwenochnoaitinFB-seizoenhânyninCOVID-19omjouwingKinnewyspielje?IkwititnetWybinnenetophâldenmeibesykjeWystypjeeducearjeenfersoargjeelkedeistudint-atletenensilletrochgeanmeidwaanduselkedei”[The}SEChasbeendeliberateateachstepsinceMarchslowedreturntopracticedelayedfirstgametorespectstartoffallsemesterdevelopedtestingprotocolsweknowconcernsremain”hewrote”WehaveneverhadaFBseasoninaCOVID-19environmentCanweplay?Idon’tknowWehaven’tstoppedtryingWesupporteducateandcareforstudent-athleteseverydayandwillcontinuetodosoeveryday”[De}SECissûntmaartbewustwestopelkestapfertrageweromkearneidepraktykfertrageearstespultsjeomrespektfoarbegjinfan’ehjerstesemestterespektearjentestprotokollenûntwikkelewywittedatsoargenbliuwe”skreauhy”WyhawwenochnoaitinFB-seizoenhânyninCOVID-19-omjouwingKinnewyspielje?IkwititnetWybinnenetophâldenmeibesykjeWystypjeeducearjeenfersoargjeelkedeistudint-atletenensilletrochgeanmeidwaanduselkedei”[The}SEChasbeendeliberateateachstepsinceMarchslowedreturntopracticedelayedfirstgametorespectstartoffallsemesterdevelopedtestingprotocolsweknowconcernsremain”hewrote”WehaveneverhadaFBseasoninaCOVID-19environmentCanweplay?Idon’tknowWehaven’tstoppedtryingWesupporteducateandcareforstudent-athleteseverydayandwillcontinuetodosoeveryday”
Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek posted a statement on his Twitter account, throwing his support behind the #WeWantToPlay campaign … which happens in the case of his son.
“On behalf of the @RazorbackFB team (that includes my son) and each of @ArkRazorbacks student-athletes I represent, serve, support, nurture, fight for and love. #WeWantToPlay, “Said Yurachek.
What will the SEC decide? Well, that’s more up to the school leaders than the athletic directors and coaches. But it’s clear where the people on the athletic side are falling into the growing debate over college football.
