Let me get this straight ... during this global pandemic, college football players should risk their lives for our entertainment and other peoples' paychecks. Essentially, college football players should be treated like the pros without receiving any of the incentives that the pros receive.
That sounds pretty bold doesn't it? Good, it was meant to.
40% of the Power 5 conferences have canceled their football season with intentions of planning a spring season. It sounds weird, but it is necessary. The Big Ten and Pac-12 have thrown in the towel due to their large concerns about the health and safety of student-athletes. Student comes first and athlete comes second, but they are not treated as such.
We have seen a mixture of interviews, tweets and comments regarding the upcoming college football season ... or lack thereof. We have even witnessed Dabo Swinney mentioning that the downsize of college football participation does not sway the playoff picture. "Whoever wins it, wins it," the Clemson coach defended.
Bless his heart. A lack of competition will feel normal for him.
The money is the motive, right? Football must be played because those big booster dollars must come in.
Don't let me fool you. I want college football just as much as the next man, but these student-athletes should be treated as such if they are going to be risking their lives out on the field. One might argue that the players of teams who are still participating in the upcoming season have a choice to opt in or to opt out so they should receive no pity in this circumstance. On paper it might seem like a choice, but for some this is their one stop shop to take care of themselves, their future and their families. How will these men be taken care of?
That seems like a loaded question. Here's why:
Opting in - Where is the protection?
Opting out - Where is the safeguard?
Canceled season - Where is the preservation?
"We're not in a place today where we could safely play sports," says Brian Hainline, NCAA Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of the NCAA's Sport Science Institute. This puts a lot into question with the SEC, ACC and Big 12. These three big dogs, as of right now, are planning on playing their conference-only schedules this upcoming fall despite nine players from Oklahoma testing positive for COVID-19. If they are not figuring out how to do a bubble like the NBA, then how will they be taking care of these players? How are they going to maintain? How will they avoid a coronavirus spread when traveling is inevitable?
If you are a part of the Big Ten or Pac-12, what happens next for you? Your season is canceled and the odds are slim that you will be taking classes physically on campus. You were brought to campus in order to prepare for your season. They cannot just tell you to go back home, right?
There are so many questions that come with this. No one from the SEC, ACC or Big 12 would like to admit, but it seems like it comes down to money versus the safety and concern of the players ... who make their paychecks ... who bring in the big bucks.
This is such a complicated dynamic, hence all of the questions and uncertainties from my perspective. I'm no Adam Schefter just yet so I'm in the same boat as you all. It took a global pandemic for many to realize it is necessary to pay these athletes. They bring in millions of dollars for their university every year and if the time would ever present itself, clearly they would be in a situation of choosing to risk their life or not.
All roads lead back to the players. When college football is being played, money is being made (because of the players). When college football is at a cost, money is lost (because of the players).
Take care of them. Pay them. It's the least that can be done.
Oh, and let me not forget to mention that today ... today would be a great day to arrest the cops that killed Breonna Taylor. SAY HER NAME. #BlackLivesMatter
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