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Last Tuesday, the Big Ten and Pac-12 decided to cancel fall athletics due to COVID-19 concerns, suggesting they could pick back up come springtime.
“It became abundantly clear that there was too much uncertainty regarding potential medical risks to allow our student-athletes to compete this fall,” Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren said at the time. “They’re not professionals. These are amateur athletes and they deserve an opportunity to be able to participate in a safe and healthy manner. … I know people may not agree with the decision we made. I understand that. I understand the passion, but we have a responsibility to create a safe and healthy environment.”
Penn State head coach James Franklin was among those who voiced support for playing in the fall, suggesting student-athletes would actually be safer under the team’s strict protocols.
Whatever ultimately happens, one of Franklin’s former players, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, is heartbroken for the athletes who won’t get to strap on their helmets this fall.
“That’s a tough one seeing the Big Ten cancel football, obviously as a fan and also playing in the Big Ten. It sucks to not be able to see those guys out there, especially those younger guys,” Barkley told reporters on Monday.
Barkley used Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow as an example of what could be lost for some of the players.
“People talk about the example of Joe Burrow was supposed to be a sixth or seventh round pick and then ended up being the number one pick in the draft. I definitely feel bad for those guys,” Barkley added.
Understandably, Barkley is glad he’s playing in the NFL right now and not worrying about his senior season in college, which could be lost for many.
“At the end of the day, I’m just happy and fortunate that in the NFL we get to go out and do it,” Barkley said. “You have to be careful, you have to be smart. This is a tough thing that is going on in the world right now. Even though how badly you want to play and how bad I want to see those guys play, you also have to have a little understanding, I guess.”
Although the Big Ten appears determined to stay on course, essentially skipping the fall season, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields has started a petition to reinstate the 2020 season. As of Tuesday morning, it has more than 265,000 signatures.
We’re not sure if Barkley’s is one of them.
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