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Coronavirus:
Yesterday was a rollercoaster in college football. It started with news late Sunday night from Dan Patrick that the Big 10 Conference presidents had voted 12-2 to postpone or cancel the season.
Dan Patrick reports Big Ten had internal vote & by 12-2 margin, league members opted on not having a fall football season. Nebraska & Iowa were only schools that voted to play this fall, @dpshow said. Patrick said Big Ten & Pac-12 would cancel fall seasons Tuesday
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 10, 2020
After that news broke, overnight the disparate groups of players in conferences around the country connected over social media. Dallas Hobbs, a player with Washington State, crafted a graphic that was released by Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Darien Rencher that many people woke up to Monday morning, and was eventually retweeted by the president:
#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/jvQhE7noGB
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) August 10, 2020
It represents a monumental shift in collegiate sports - in it the players ask for health and safety protocols and express an intent to create a collective players association. Due to a National Labor Relations Board ruling several years ago when Northwestern players led by Kain Colter attempted to unionize, it appears players aren’t actually able to unionize. However, the players appear to have other options that could serve the same effect and it seems they intend to pursue it.
Then later in the morning the Detroit Free Press reported that the Big 10 had indeed canceled the season. However, it was later determined that the vote was over medical protocols.
Sources: Big Ten cancels football season; no games for Michigan, Michigan State in 2020 https://t.co/ir96jXjCE1 via @freep @reporterdavidj @ByChrisThomas
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) August 10, 2020
But it was already enough to cause a backlash of sorts. Nebraska’s Scott Frost also went on TV and stated that if the Big 10 did cancel the season that Nebraska would explore temporarily joining other conferences in order to play. There were unconfirmed rumors that other Big 10 teams would do the same. An outpouring of support from other Power 5 coaches and players also expressing a desire to play the season swamped social media for most of the day.
Later in the afternoon the Mountain West Conference confirmed it would postpone the season anyway to at least the spring, joining the Mid-American Conference from a few days earlier:
The Mountain West has postponed its fall football season, hoping to be able to play in the spring, source tells @TheAthleticCFB. Stadium first reported the news.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) August 10, 2020
For the conferences that have already postponed their season, a significant factor has reportedly been heart issues detected in players that previously were infected with COVID, and it may be what’s causing the delay in Power 5 conferences deciding what to do, per ESPN:
Heart issue linked to COVID-19 fuels Power 5 concern; medical sources say at least five Big Ten athletes and other athletes in the Power 5 have been found to have post-COVID heart issues. https://t.co/x7DgMJNkqW
— Paula Lavigne (@pinepaula) August 10, 2020
Conference officials and athletic directors told ESPN that the uncertainty about the long-term effects of myocarditis has been discussed in meetings of presidents and chancellors, commissioners and athletic directors, and health advisory board members from the Big Ten, Pac-12 and other conferences around the country. Last week, college administrators saw a Facebook post from Debbie Rucker, mother of Indiana offensive lineman Brady Feeney, who wrote that her son was dealing with potential heart problems after battling COVID-19.
People can get myocardial inflammation, feel fine and never know it, Dr. Jonathan Drezner, director of the University of Washington Medicine Center for Sports Cardiology said. He said most athletes who get myocarditis will be able to safely return to sports after a restriction of activity for three to six months. But he said that in some cases, the inflammation can turn to scar tissue and put the patient at risk for an irregular heartbeat that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, which can be triggered by exercise.
It’s really a must-read article, as it also details some of the specifics of how schools will screen for the condition. There were also reports that if the conferences did cancel their seasons players would stay on campus and continue to practice.
The ACC athletic directors were originally scheduled to meet Wednesday but pushed up their meeting to yesterday, and afterwards indicated an intent to continue to try and play the season:
Sources: ACC ADs met today and are "moving forward in an attempt to play," in the words of one staffer. League presidents could be meeting today as well.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) August 10, 2020
The Sun Belt also formally expressed a desire to play the season. The Pac-12 reportedly met last night and will vote today, while Big 10 athletic directors also met last night:
SOURCE: Pac-12 ADs and coaches met with Larry Scott tonight. League presidents are expected to vote Tuesday on whether the Pac-12 will postpone the fall season, delay or proceed.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) August 11, 2020
I'm told Big Ten athletic directors are scheduled to meet tonight, not presidents.
— billlandis25 (@BillLandis25) August 10, 2020
Football:
Bookmark this: until they say otherwise we will continue to bring you practice reports, analysis, and coach and player interviews.
On that note, our resident coach breaks down three (over)reactions from FSU’s first day in pads. These things are pretty great with video clips and everything.
As mentioned above, the players around the country uniting and fighting for their rights is big news,
People are at just as much, if not more risk, if we don’t play. Players will all be sent home to their own communities where social distancing is highly unlikely and medical care and expenses will be placed on the families if they were to contract covid19 (1)
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) August 9, 2020
...and there are several FSU players involved in the movement, including pre-season All-American Marvin Wilson.
Our 4Verts series is back with the breakdown of FSU’s returning quarterbacks. The video was taken down but we’re back up and running, so if you missed it earlier you’re in luck. It’s also excellent.
DC Adam Fuller has been putting a renewed emphasis on takeaways:
#MissionTakeaway pic.twitter.com/OopslnmHXM
— Adam Fuller (@fbcoachfuller) August 9, 2020
#MissionTakeaway pic.twitter.com/C8B11ABXdy
— Adam Fuller (@fbcoachfuller) August 10, 2020
#MissionTakeaway pic.twitter.com/n40PjBTeH5
— Adam Fuller (@fbcoachfuller) August 10, 2020
Recruiting:
Our Recruiting Thread will keep you up to date.
Jalen Shead, a 2021 tight end who is unranked but has an incredible offer list, released his top 3 teams.
FSU offered massive 2022 OT Kiyaunta Goodwin from Kentucky.
Other Sports:
The reactions to Hamilton landing five-star Jalen Warley and getting a solid lead in the nation’s No. 1 class have rolled in:
Just an awesome string of weeks for Florida State recruiting. Seminoles now with the nation’s top class.
— Corey Evans (@coreyevans_10) August 9, 2020
Leonard Hamilton and his staff have built one of the more long lasting, consistent programs nationally. Recruiting the best but also developing within house.
Big Guard U!! Stop playing with coach Ham https://t.co/xWtIbFRXFU
— Trent Forrest (@TForrest_11) August 9, 2020
Oh @FSUHoops just keeps rolling under leadership of @FSUCoachHam as they get a yes from 2021 top 100 recruit combo guard JALEN WARLEY . According to recruiting guru @PaulBiancardi the Noles have 4 top 100 recruits for 2021. @accmbb
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) August 9, 2020
Jessica Warren is a legend:
@jessicawarren30 pinch hit 2 RBI single in the bottom of the 6th broke open a tie game as @FSU_Softball won the 2015 ACC Championship! pic.twitter.com/M009RgH4hj
— FSU Seminoles (@Seminoles) August 10, 2020
Alumni:
Doing good in the community:
@vikingstable https://t.co/RchrK9gLLK
— Dalvin Cook (@dalvincook) August 10, 2020
Welcome Brandy and her two sons to the Homes for the Holidays family, home #180 located in Spartanburg, SC. We applaud Brandy's hard work to achieve her goal of homeownership. Thank you to our partners… https://t.co/xHWr9tgXHY
— Warrick Dunn (@WarrickDunn) August 8, 2020
and on the field (also happy birthday!):
.@dalvincook is a master of making guys MISS.
— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2020
Happy birthday to the @Vikings star RB! pic.twitter.com/UFYQ0z19a3
to Dalvin Cook and Deion Sanders:
Happy Birthday to the !#NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/JOjoxPjtFk
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) August 9, 2020
Thompson has had a pretty great pro career:
So good to have @ChrisThompson_4 back in Florida with the @Jaguars!#NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/JIFN25pfNR
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) August 10, 2020