Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press
Two of the biggest names in whole college football asked a player union Sunday night in the face of significant uncertainty as to whether there will be a 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, who would both be on the shortlist of Heisman Trophy fans and national title contenders if there is a season, took to Twitter with a list of requirements.
Under those demands, it was right to “use our voices to create open communication and trust between players and officials; ultimately to create an association for football players.”
The list also includes the desire for universal health and safety procedures for all conferences as teams fight against COVID-19 and guarantee eligibility for players, even if they choose to take off the field during the pandemic.
Clemson running back Darien Rencher said he and Lawrence met with representatives from each Power Five conference via Zoom to take “a step towards one collective voice. “
This comes after Pac-12 athletes came together with a #WeAreUnited message that was posted on de Players’ Tribune. The players threaten to step down if officials do not meet their requirements, including tackling systemic racism in collegiate sports and societies and providing clear measures for COVID-19 security.
The message also asked for the opportunity for athletes to earn money through name, image and image rights.
Elsewhere, Big Ten footballers have released a “Big Ten Unity Proposal” through the Players’ Tribune demand more oversight and transparency over the handling of COVID-19, more COVID-19 testing and stricter enforcement of potential protocol violations.
Lawrence’s latest tweet comes after he pleaded for a college football season by pointing out that the sport provides security for many players who otherwise would not have it in the midst of the pandemic:
Trevor Lawrence @Trevorlawrencee
Players are safe and take all proper precautions to try to contract covid because the safety of the season / teammates is on the line. Without the season, as we have already seen, people will not wear social distance or masks and take the right precautionary measures
The 2020 season is very much in the air after of MAC announced Saturday that it puts out all the autumn sports until spring. The Big Ten too announced that “all institutions will remain in the first two days of the acclimatization period in football (that is, helmets will be the only piece of protective equipment that student-athletes can wear).”
There have also been a number of unholy reports, including one from Pat Forde and Ross Dellenger fan Sports Illustrated that said “high-level conference meetings are planned for this week across the entire football landscape with the expected resolution of postponing fall sports until 2021.”
One source told Brett McMurphy of Stadium: “College football season is done. I don’t think everyone immediately follows MAC, but it gives other league presidents one more reason to make an easier decision. Biggest thing is unknown long-term impact of COVID and liability issues.”
Heather Dinich, Adam Rittenberg, Mark Schlabach, Chris Low and Andrea Adelson from ESPN reported Big Ten presidents were “ready to pick up the plug on his fall sports season” and were looking for other Power Five conference leaders to “fall in line with them.”
Clearly, some of the sport’s greatest players want to take the field, though, and Lawrence and Fields are among those using their voices to fight for a season and much more.
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