Tag: cancel

Gators News: July 9, 2020

The number of positive coronavirus cases continues to increase steeply leaving the nation and sports wondering how to move forward.

As we head into the downslope of another week, the number of positive coronavirus cases continues to increase steeply, leaving the nation — much less the sports world — wondering how to take its next steps forward.

Yesterday, the Ivy League announced that it will cancel all fall sports and will not resume athletics no sooner than January 1, 2021. The decision affects football as well as men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, and women’s field hockey and volleyball. Stanford also announced that it is cutting 11 of its 36 varsity sports programs, including field hockey, wrestling and men’s volleyball.

Additionally, Ohio State decided to hit the pause switch on all voluntary workouts after an unconfirmed number of athletes tested positive for COVID-19; the exact number was not released in order to protect the identity of those infected.

Here is the rest of our stories from yesterday.

Around the Swamp

It’s great to be a Florida Gator!

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NFLPA board of reps calls on NFL to cancel all 2020 preseason games

The NFLPA Board of Representatives has voted unanimously to call on the NFL to cancel all 2020 preseason games in light of the coronavirus.

The NFL Players’ Associations’ Board of Representatives is standing firm on its stance against playing any preseason games this summer. On Thursday, the board voted unanimously to call on the NFL to cancel all preseason games in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Here’s the wording of the passed resolution:

“RESOLVED, that in light of the absence of medical justification for holding any preseason games and the necessity of adhering to the acclimation period in order to reduce the possibility of injuries, the NFLPA Board of Player Representatives recommends that no preseason games be played during the 2020 NFL preseason, and the Board calls upon the NFL to cancel all preseason games due to the on-going COVID pandemic.”

In the July 3 memo, the NFLPA insists the NFL has no medical justification to support the decision to retain two preseason games or for the shortening of the previously agreed-upon acclimation period.

According to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, the fight over the preseason games is “just getting started.”

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The NFL cancels 2020 supplemental draft

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero is reporting that the NFL has canceled its annual supplemental draft for 2020.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero is reporting that the NFL has canceled its annual supplemental draft for 2020.

“Under the CBA, the NFL may elect to hold a supplemental draft each year,” Pelissero said. “The matter was discussed with the NFL Management Council Executive Committee, and in light of current conditions, the decision was made not to hold one.”

With uncertainty surrounding how sports will happen this fall, including college football, it’s believed there were concerns about an influx of players flooding the market, trying to make an early jump to the NFL.

In the past four years, only three players have been selected in supplemental drafts, defensive back Jalen Thompson was taken in the fifth round by the Arizona Cardinals last year, while 2018 saw cornerbacks Sam Beal and Adonis Alexander selected by the New York Giants (third round) and Washington (sixth round) respectively, and no players were selected in 2017 or 2016.

The Detroit Lions have only used a supplemental draft pick once in its history, back in 1982 when they selected cornerback Kevin Robinson out of North Carolina A&T in the ninth round. He never played in the NFL.

NFL Cancels Europe Games for 2020 – College Football Impact

The NFL made an announcement Monday that only means bad news for Notre Dame and Navy fans in regards to their August game in Dublin, Ireland

Think back just a couple of months ago to when conference tournaments were getting going and we thought the NCAA Tournament was about to be played in front of empty stadiums.  What happened that ended that from happening?

Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for coronavirus and as soon as the Dallas Mavericks home contest against the Denver Nuggets ended that night we haven’t seen a big-time sport played in the United States since as the NCAA suspended events the next day.

I remind you of that sequence to tell you that the news of the NFL cancelling all of their games abroad for 2020.

The NCAA wasn’t about to be the first league or organization to step in and cancel things but when the NBA did they felt their hand was forced.

I know we sit and hope for everything to go off as scheduled between Notre Dame and Navy at the end of August, but is the NCAA going to let those two play a contest abroad when the NFL won’t even send their players and team employees?

The chances of that happening are slim to none and and slim is waiting for his jacket at the coat check.

I want to be wrong, I really do.  I was fortunate enough to head to the Emerald Isle in 2012 to take in Notre Dame and Navy and as great as a 50-10 opening day victory was, the trip was downright fantastic before even bringing up the football part.

As much as I’d like to be wrong I simply can’t see the NCAA not following the lead of the NFL here and putting a stop to Notre Dame vs. Navy in Dublin from happening.

SEC extends suspension of in-person athletic activities

The SEC announced that it has extended its suspension of all in-person athletic activities through at least May 31st due to coronavirus.

On Friday, the SEC announced that it has extended its suspension of all in-person athletic activities through at least May 31st.

Originally, the league had suspended all activities through April 15th.

Here is the statement that the conference issued on Friday:

The Southeastern Conference today announced that all in-person athletics activities, including team and individual practices, meetings and other organized gatherings, whether voluntary or required, as well as camps and coaches clinics, will be suspended through at least May 31, based on public health advisories related to continuing developments associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The SEC had previously announced that in-person athletics activities were suspended through April 15.

In addition, virtual film review that does not include physical activity is permissible. Effective April 6, activity of this nature will be expanded to four (4) hours per week consistent with an NCAA rule waiver and NCAA legislation, an increase from the previously permissible maximum of two (2) hours per week. Any such activity must be scheduled in accordance with the institution’s established Time Management Policy and must not interfere with required class time for online instruction.

SEC member institutions will continue to provide their student-athletes with care and support to meet needs in areas including academics, medical care, mental health and wellness, nutrition and housing as needed.

Clemson’s Dabo Swinney confident we’ll have a 2020 CFB season

Clemson football HC Dabo Swinney is confident that we will have a 2020 college football season despite growing concern over coronavirus.

Concerns over whether or not we will have a 2020 college football season is continuing to grow.

ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit said that he would be “shocked” if we were to have any football, collegiately or professionally, this fall given the current coronavirus pandemic in the United States and around the world.

Fans were split on Herbstreit’s statement. Many agreed but a bigger number thought it was far too early to even discuss the possibility of no football this fall.

One man who does not agree with Herbstreit is Clemson’s two-time national title winning head coach Dabo Swinney.

Swinney discussed the pandemic and its potential impact on the sport we all love during a conference call with the media on Friday.

“My preference is let’s get to work and go play,” Swinney said. “That’s the best-case scenario, and I think that’s what’s going to happen. I don’t have any doubt. I have zero doubt that we’re going to be playing and the stands are going to be packed.”

Swinney sounds very optimistic that there will be a 2020 college football season despite concerns of it being delayed from a number athletic directors and analysts.

He is not thinking like that just yet. For the time being at least, Swinney is preparing as if his team will be reporting to camp in August.

He told the teleconference participants that he has created a T.I.G.E.R.S. acronym for his team. It stands for “This Is Gonna End Real Soon.”

“That’s just my mindset. I’ve got one plan, and that’s to get the Tigers ready to play in late August, early September,” Swinney said. “I’ll leave it to the smart people to figure out the doomsday scenarios. We’ve got one scenario, and that’s to run down that hill and kick it off in the valley.”

Swinney also mentioned that he is hopeful that players may actually be able to return to campus as early as next month, even if classes are still being conducted online only.

“This is America, man. We’ve stormed the beaches of Normandy. We’ve sent a rover out on Mars and walked on the moon. This is the greatest country. We’ve created an iPhone where I can sit here and talk to people in all these different places. We’ve got the smartest people in the world. We’re going to rise up and kick this thing in the teeth and get back to our lives.”

Which players will be most impacted by NFL’s coronavirus policies?

In an effort to maintain safety among teams and draft prospects, the NFL has canceled all pre-draft visits to team facilities and colleges.

The President of the United States has declared a national emergency due to the coronavirus outbreak. Countless sporting events have been put on hold or canceled. NFL teams, including the Detroit Lions, have suspended travel for coaches and personnel staff.

And now, in an effort to continue safety efforts among teams and draft prospects, the NFL has canceled all pre-draft visits to team facilities and colleges.

While the league is being proactive in limiting physical interactions in the name of safety, their decision to not alter the current 2020 NFL calendar, could have a different type of negative impact.

On Wednesday of next week, the existing plan is to open the league’s new year and free agency period. This would also keep the 2020 NFL Draft schedule in place as well as the spring mini-camps and summer plans.

While maintaining this current schedule and safety standards appears workable on the surface — teams/agents can negotiate contracts over the phone — travel is still an essential part of free agency, as NFL contracts require medical checks to be completed.

Teams can, and probably will send private transportation to gather top-tier players in order to get their contracts done. But, will they be inclined to pay for private transportation for second and third-tier players? What about the fourth tier? At some point, teams will have tough spending decisions to make and it could cost these players opportunities.

Additionally, by maintaining the current schedule/safety plan prohibiting teams and prospects from interacting at pro days and facility visits, the second, third, and fourth-tier prospects will once again be the ones who feel the biggest impact.

These visits are where teams cultivate relationships and are often the difference between an undrafted player getting a shot in the NFL or potentially needing to look for a new line of work.

At the end of the day, the safety of individuals needs to continue to be a priority and to their credit, the NFL and their organizations are taking measures to ensure that it is. But if things continue down this path and the NFL schedule begins on time, there will be a significant amount of non-high profile players that will be a severe disadvantage.

XFL suspends season amid COVID-19 outbreak

The XFL now joins the NBA, NHL, MLB, and the NCAA in halting activities in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

 

The inaugural season for the revived XFL will be cut short as the new league announced on Thursday afternoon they will not be playing the rest of their regular-season games due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The XFL may be done for the year, but they are not alone when it comes to other leagues postponing activities. The NBA and NHL both announced they are suspending their seasons as well, with the MLB delaying the start of their season for at least two weeks, and the NCAA entirely canceling their beloved March Madness tournament.

With the end of the XFL comes the conclusion of the Seattle Dragons 2020 campaign as well. The Dragons were still slated to play their Week 6 game on Saturday versus the Los Angeles Wildcats, albeit in front of an empty stadium due to Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s limitations on crowd sizes of 250 people or more.

The Dragons remained competitive throughout the year, but ultimately came up short and will finish their opening campaign at 1-4, with their lone win coming from a 17-9 victory over the Tampa Bay Vipers – who are similarly 1-4.

Despite the Dragons sharing the XFL’s basement with the Vipers, they enjoyed considerable fan support from the Seattle faithful. Seattle once more proved it was a city in love with football, hungry for more even after a successful season from the Seahawks.

Should the XFL survive such a major setback and resume play in 2021, there is little doubt the Dragons will still have a solid fan-base to return to.

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12 football movies to watch while professional sports are on hiatus

One by one the professional sports leagues and organizations canceled their events. It started with talk of playing in front of empty stadiums and then the NBA put their season on hold. Afterward, everyone followed suit. Even the NFL wasn’t immune …

One by one the professional sports leagues and organizations canceled their events. It started with talk of playing in front of empty stadiums and then the NBA put their season on hold. Afterward, everyone followed suit. Even the NFL wasn’t immune to the cancelations. The league decided to move skip its upcoming league meeting and push it off for a few months. Teams are pulling scouts off the road. The whole point of this is that we will have nothing to watch over the next few weeks. It’s time to binge-watch television shows and movies. Here are some suggestions to bide your team.

The Replacements (2000)

Keanu Reeves plays Shane Falco, a former Ohio State quarterback who never recovered from a bad bowl game. A funny note this is actually the second time that Reeves played a former Ohio State quarterback since his role as Johnny Utah in “Point Break” was also a former Ohio State quarterback.

Back to “The Replacements” which had Falco join a team of rag-tag players coached by Gene Hackman. It has some comedy, and it has some romance, and it has a kicker who smokes cigarettes. It’s a fun movie to pass the time.

Brian’s Song (1971)

“Brian’s Song” was actually an ABC television movie. If you want a good cry, watch this movie about terminally ill Brian Piccolo. The highlights are the parts where Gale Sayers and Piccolo interact at a time where race was still a large issue in America. It’s an old movie, but an absolute classic for any football fan.

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