“It’s The Student-Athletes”

Do you find it a bit concerning that a well-thought, reasoned response - to just about anything these days - is considered outside the norm?

UCONN Head Football Coach Randy Edsall has separated from the pack of hysteria by offering his advice on how to navigate the quickly approaching 2020 college football season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m not playing it, athletic directors aren’t playing it, presidents aren’t playing it, conference commissioners aren’t playing it. It’s the student-athletes,” Edsall said. “It’s important that I hear what our student-athletes want to do and what they think is best for the experience with them, their health, their welfare and safety. That’s one thing that we’re going to make sure that we hear and look at.”

Edsall hits the nail on the head. The decision to play or not to play in 2020 - is up to the student-athletes. There is ALWAYS inherent risk when playing the game of football. That is a fact. Throw in a worldwide pandemic, and some players will reconsider, weighing the health risks of being around their teammates and on their respective campuses.

Other players, however, will choose to play regardless.

CANCEL. POSTPONE. IT CAN’T HAPPEN. DISASTROUS. DANGEROUS. These sentiments have been echoed by many over the last month as September draws near.

Shouldn’t we let the guys who are ACTUALLY playing, make the decision? Some will sit. Most will play.

When you choose to attend a school and play on the football team, it is because you (most likely) love football. You love to play the game. You love being with your teammates. You love competing. You love the camaraderie. It is a part of your life.

Conferences and schools will honor scholarships if student-athletes opt-out. Eligibility will not be affected.

The decision is theirs. Let them make it.