Power Five conference players release statement in favor of 2020 season, player’s rights

As reports swirl of the postponement or cancellation of the 2020 college football season, players are advocating for both a right to play and a right to be recognized as legitimate partners in the world of college athletics.

Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has become a vocal proponent both about social issues and player’s rights, took to Twitter earlier today with a message endorsing the playing of the season, emphasizing the detrimental effects that could come to the athletes that the postponement would intended to protect:

Later Sunday night, Lawrence, along with fellow Heisman Trophy and No. 1 overall pick contender Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields, amongst others (including Florida State linebacker Amari Gainer), amped it up a notch, issuing a statement on behalf of the Power 5 conferences that players want to play, that they want to be protected, and they want to be recognized.

Some Florida State Seminoles football players, including senior leaders Jaiden Lars-Woodbey and Marvin Wilson, had voiced support for the season earlier, as well:

Power 5 commissioners held a meeting on Sunday, August 9th, to discuss the feasibility of pushing forward to play, less than a week after the conferences released their college football schedules. The Big 10 and Pac-12 are reportedly the two schools leading the charge on pushing back the season, with the SEC apparently pushing back on the pushing back.

Several FCS conferences have canceled fall sports in recent weeks, followed by the Mid-American Conference on August 8th, the first FBS conference to do so. UConn also recently announced it wouldn’t be playing in 2020.