Huge Ten Might possibly additionally no longer Progress to Padded Football Practices Amid COVID-19 Concerns
Charlie Neibergall/Related Press
The Huge Ten launched Saturday that all of its football programs “will remain within the first two days of the acclimatization interval in football (i.e., helmets will likely be the supreme piece of protective equipment pupil-athletes could possibly wear).”
In step with Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports actions and Pat Forde of SI.com, that will likely be step one within the convention—and potentially other conferences around college football—canceling the 2020 season or pushing it aid to the spring amid the COVID-19 pandemic:
Some other provide suggested Brett McMurphy of Stadium that the college football season used to be “carried out”:
Brett McMurphy @Brett_McMurphy
Energy 5 provide to @Stadium: “College football season is carried out. I don’t judge each person straight follows MAC, however it offers other league presidents 1 extra motive to construct an more uncomplicated resolution. Biggest thing is unknown long-term impact of COVID & licensed responsibility issues enthusiastic”
That comes after the MAC formally postponed all descend sports till the spring on Saturday:
It is no longer any longer laborious to evaluate a situation the place other major conferences note suit. A rising list of prominent players possess already opted out for the season. And if the conferences strive to withhold the season within the spring, even extra skill draft picks could possibly fall out, as a replacement starting preparations for the 2021 NFL draft, currently region for April.
Scheduling remains a prime query imprint, especially for the Huge Ten after it launched it wouldn’t be allowing teams to switch into completely padded practices. The convention renowned in its commentary:
“We designate there are quite loads of questions relating to how this impacts schedules, as wisely as the feasibility of persevering with forward with the season at all. As we possess continuously said, we can proceed to purchase in mind day after day, whereas relying on our clinical examiners, to construct the supreme choices imaginable for the wisely being, security and wellness of our pupil-athletes.”
David Jesse of the Detroit Free Press additionally reported that two sources suggested him that “Huge Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren most neatly-liked a spring football season, although no resolution has been made.”
Even if the Huge Ten would no longer completely note the MAC’s lead, it be already sure that the COVID-19 pandemic will proceed to be a prime storyline within the college football season.