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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:
Players being safe and taking all of the right precautions to try to avoid contracting covid because the season/ teammates safety is on the line. Without the season, as we’ve seen already, people will not social distance or wear masks and take the proper precautions
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) August 9, 2020
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.
#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/jvQhE7noGB
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) August 10, 2020
#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/GuydsFWTdx
— Tarik Black (@LetmeRockk_) August 10, 2020
#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/NgKG9Nab9c
— Justin Fields (@justnfields) August 10, 2020
#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/6kTPmMTR8s
— Najee Harris (@ohthatsNajee22) August 10, 2020
I have faith so I shall not fear #LetsPlayball #GoNoles #WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/cQmWnNKQhh
— AMARI FERRARI (@AmariGainer) August 10, 2020
It’s all one team...#WeWantToPlay #WeAreUnited pic.twitter.com/URFziHAWQX
— Valentino Daltoso (@V_Tino33) August 10, 2020
Some Florida State Seminoles football players, including senior leaders Jaiden Lars-Woodbey and Marvin Wilson, had voiced support for the season earlier, as well:
Just let the players/teams who want to play sign a special waiver
— ϟ THOR ϟ (@JaidenWoodbey) August 9, 2020
#WeWantToPlay #WearAMask #GoNoles
— Andrew Bo (@AndrewBoselli) August 10, 2020
#LetUsPlay work to hard just to not have a season
— HEAD HUNCHO (@marvinwilson21) August 10, 2020
— garrett murray (@garrettmurray__) August 10, 2020
#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/6TDEUkw9IZ
— Jordan Wilson (@Jwils247) August 10, 2020
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.
What changed in the last few days? The virus situation didn't. The presidents and powers-that-be can talk all they want about health and safety. But more likely they don't want to disrupt their model by admitting amateurism is a sham and putting their players in bubbles.
— Seth Emerson (@SethWEmerson) August 9, 2020
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.