Despite the Big Ten’s decision to cancel fall sports, the #WeWantToPlay movement has not stopped fighting for the conference to reconsider. Earlier this morning, Ohio State QB Justin Fields, the biggest star in the conference, tweeted out a petition to “request that the Big Ten Conference immediately reinstate the 2020 football season.”
This cause is close to my heart – please sign: https://t.co/yFKlYE7pP0
— Justin Fields (@justnfields) August 16, 2020
The petition reads as follows:
“We, the football players of the Big Ten, together with the fans and supporters of college football, request that the Big Ten Conference immediately reinstate the 2020 football season. Allow Big Ten players/teams to make their own choice as to whether they wish to play or opt out this fall season. Allow Big Ten players/teams who choose to opt out of playing a fall season to do so without penalty or repercussion.”
“Why is this important?
We want to play. We believe that safety protocols have been established and can be maintained to mitigate concerns of exposure to Covid 19. We believe that we should have the right to make decisions about what is best for our health and our future. Don’t let our hard work and sacrifice be in vain. #LetUsPlay!”
The petition is addressed to the Big Ten Conference, Commissioner Kevin Warren, and the Presidents of the Big Ten schools who ultimately voted on the decision.
As of 11:30 AM central, the petition has over 23,000 signatures in just over one hour of being up. The Heisman finalist and Big Ten Player of the Year has been extremely vocal about wanting a season reinstated in the fall so that he can compete in likely his final college season before heading to the NFL.
Anybody who feels inclined can sign the petition here to be a part of the #WeWantToPlay movement.