This isn’t much of a surprise, as it’s kind of become the new norm, but according to a public records request by the Columbus Dispatch (subscription may be required), Ohio State football athletes must sign a “risk waiver” in order to come back and participate in workouts. It’s just the new normal of the COVID-19 pandemic world we live in.
Even youth sports is going to the same thing in a lot of places in the country as activities, clubs, and youth sports begin to slowly reopen. As an example, my daughter is in travel softball, and I too — coach Harrison — had to sign a waiver releasing our county and organization from harm.
Now, if I could just bring her batting average up…
The argument could be made that it’s much different to ask an athlete put on scholarship to sign one because of the beneficial relationship of the athlete participating on behalf of the institution, but I’d be surprised to see many colleges not putting the same thing out there.
According to the Dispatch, the waiver, known as the Buckeye Pledge, is two pages long and outlines the health risks involved with workouts and other athletic activities. It also calls for the athletes to follow strict health and safety protocols implemented by the school.
Basically, it asks the athletes to “pledge to take responsibility for my own health and help stop the spread of the COVID-19.”
The pledge also warns athletes that “although the university is following the coronavirus guidelines issued by the CDC and other experts to reduce the spread of infection, I can never be completely shielded from all risk of illness caused by COVID-19 or other infections.”
Coronavirus: Returning Ohio State football players must sign risk waiver https://t.co/dfChYCJCNh
— BuckeyeXtra.com (@BuckeyeXtra) June 14, 2020
All participants must sign prior to participation, and in the event that the athlete is not yet 18, a legal guardian must pledge on their behalf.
It’s a new world we live in, but what’s not, is the litigated and extreme CYA nature of where society is. Here’s to hoping the novel coronavirus is in the rear-view mirror soon.