Tag: statement

NCAA Senior VP of Basketball gives statement on the 2020-21 season

NCAA Senior VP of Basketball Dan Gavitt gave a statement about plans for the 2020-21 basketball season in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt gave a statement about the association’s plans for the 2020-21 basketball season in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has already led to many cancellations and postponements of fall sports.

In his statement, Gavitt says that the plan is still to start the season on Nov. 10, but the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee will meet in the coming weeks to discuss safety recommendations, with guidance expected to come from the committee by mid-September.

Gavitt said one of the decisions that must be made is whether to start the season on time or delay it in the short term. Notably, the prospect of a significant postponement or cancellation isn’t mentioned, though Gavitt said the decision made by mid-September will be the first of many.

His full statement can be read below.

As we prepare for the 2020-21 college basketball season, we have exercised patience and discipline in monitoring the effects of COVID-19 and making decisions regarding the season. We have learned a great deal over the course of the summer, and with health and safety being our priority, we have developed and studied contingency plans for alternatives to the scheduled Nov. 10 start date.

In the coming weeks, the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Oversight Committees will take the lead with me in a collaborative process of finalizing any recommendations for consideration by the NCAA Division I Council for the start of the college basketball season. By mid-September, we will provide direction about whether the season and practice start on time or a short-term delay is necessitated by the ongoing pandemic.

We recognize that we are living and operating in an uncertain time, and it is likely that mid-September will be just the first milestone for many important decisions pertaining to the regular season and the NCAA basketball championships. While circumstances may warrant flexibility resulting in a different and perhaps imperfect season, the ultimate goal is to safely provide student-athletes and teams with a great college basketball experience.

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SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey releases statement on conference status

Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey released the following statement on the SEC’s official Twitter account. 

Amidst the turmoil of the college football landscape on Tuesday, after the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences announced that they will be canceling their 2020 fall football schedules, Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey released the following statement on the SEC’s official Twitter account.

“I look forward to learning more about the factors that led to the Big Ten and Pac-12 leadership to take these actions today. I remain comfortable with the thorough and deliberate approach that the SEC and our 14 member schools are taking to support a healthy environment for our student-athletes. We will continue to further refine our policies and protocols for a safe return to sports as we monitor developments around COVID-19 in a continued effort to support, educate and care for our student-athletes every day.”

The Atlantic Coast Conference also released a statement over Twitter about the same time on Tuesday afternoon, which stated the following.

The ACC will continue to make decisions based on medical advice, inclusive of our Medical Advisory Group, local and state health guidelines, and do so in a way that appropriately coincides with our universities’ academic missions.

The safety of our students, staff and overall campus communities will always be our top priority, and we are pleased with the protocols being administrated on our 15 campuses. We will continue to follow our process that has been in place for months and has served us well.

We understand the need to stay flexible and be prepared to adjust as medical information and the landscape evolves.

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Kelly Stafford details fallout after false-positive result, blames NFL for lack of accountability

After Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford received a false-positive COVID-19 test last Saturday, his wife Kelly took to Instagram to place blame on the NFL for lack of accountability.

After Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford received a false-positive COVID-19 test last Saturday, his wife Kelly took to Instagram and had some harsh words towards the NFL, blaming them for lack of accountability.

Over the weekend, the Lions placed Stafford on the reserve/COVID-list indicating he had either tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, was in close proximity of someone who had tested positive or had received a false positive test. Per NFL and NFLPA rules focusing on protecting a player’s privacy on health-related matters, they do not identify which category a player falls under.

Just hours later NFL Network’s Tom Pelliserro reported a source told him Stafford was asymptomatic followed up by a Monday report from Monday Morning Quarterback’s Albert Breer that Stafford did indeed test positive for COVID-19 — a report that was later proven incorrect.

Today, the Lions removed Stafford from the reserve/COVID-19 list and had some very stern words of clarity on the subject:

“To be clear, Matthew does NOT have COVID-19 and never has had COVID-19 and the test in question was a False-Positive. Also, all of Matthew’s family have been tested and everyone is negative.”

Not long after, Kelly Stafford took to Instagram to explain the stresses that were placed on the Stafford family during the last four days, the negative reaction from members in their community, and why she blames the NFL “for not holding itself accountable”:

The past four days have been somewhat of a nightmare. For 24 hours, we believed my husband was positive for covid.. We were all tested the day after and we were all negative including Matthew.. then he tested negative again, then again, again, and again.

After his second negative, we were made adware [sic] of the “false positives” and how this was one of those cases.

I have been losing my mind because of how my Family has been treated since my husband was put on COVID-IR.

Even after we knew it was false positive, our school told us they were not allowed back, I was approached in a grocery store and told I was “endangering others,” my kids were harassed and kicked off a playground, I was told I needed to wait in my car when trying to pick up food, and people closest to us had to get tested just so they could go back to work.. and that’s just to name a few things. I don’t blame these scenarios on any of the people directly involved.. I understand where they are coming from, but I do blame the @NFL.

I blame the @NFL for not holding themselves accountable. These are people’s lives and livelihoods that are in those results in THEIR test sites. Maybe we should be absolutely positive a person has covid before releasing that info to the world. I’m sharing our experience because I don’t want it happening to any other family that plays for this league.

We are thankful for those who called, texted, emailed and showed concern for matthew and our family. Your thoughts during this strange, difficult time are greatly appreciated.. but we are all absolutely fine and feeling great. Thank God for that.

Kelly would add this in the comments section:

“I would also like people to know.. if you saw me out and about after this, it was because we already knew it was a false positive. We would never chance endangering anyone with this virus. If we have learned anything in the past two years, it’s that we know the value of health and the health of others.”

Broncos RT Ja’Wuan James tweets statement after opting out of season

Broncos right tackle Ja’Wuan James explains his decision to opt-out of the 2020 season.

After opting out of the 2020 season, Denver Broncos right tackle Ja’Wuan James tweeted the following statement:

After continuous conversation with my family over the past couple weeks about the NFL figuring out the plan for the 2020 season, I’ve decided to opt out. It is tough, but the right decision. There’s just too much unknown about this virus and about plans handling it going forward. My wife and I were blessed with our newborn son May 22 and he’s now my top priority. Although I worked all offseason and invested in my body to bounce back and have a great year on the field, it’s just not worth risking the health of my loved ones. I’ve seen this virus already hospitalize one of my family members and hope to not have that happen again. We can’t live in fear or just confine ourselves just to ur homes but we all have to make the right conscious choices and navigate through day to day life to protect our neighbors. 

To my teammates I reached out to before making this decision, I appreciate your input and acknowledgment that the man comes first before the football player. All my brothers around the league, I pray for you and your families’ safety throughout the season and rest of this pandemic. To the Denver Community, these first two years weren’t what I expected them to be when arriving here. I know you don’t know we well and a false narrative was painted of me last year due to comments made about my injury, but I am invested in this city and my team. I look forward to the future we have here, but in that same breath, I’m even more invested in my family. Everyone make sure to stay positive through these crazy times and enjoy your loved ones. I hope 2021 will be a better year for all of us. Take care of yourselves, because ultimately, health is wealth. 

Denver is expected to have Elijah Wilkinson replace James at right tackle.

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Superdome officials report 32 positive coronavirus cases amid renovations

32 construction workers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome renovations project tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

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Renovations on the Mercedes-Benz Superdome began immediately after the LSU Tigers won their Jan. 13 national title game, taking the first steps to ensure the New Orleans Saints will continue to play in a cutting-edge venue rivaling any stadium around the NFL.

Back in May, WDSU-New Orleans reported that construction on the Superdome (most of which is happening behind the scenes, where fans won’t see it, in this first phase) had not been impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic. However, a recent statement from Superdome officials to WDSU confirmed that nearly three dozen workers received positive tests.

The statement to WDSU reads: “We can confirm that in the last few weeks, 32 of the 275-plus daily workers on the project have tested positive for COVID-19. This post-Memorial Day increase is consistent with what 21 other states, not including Louisiana, are experiencing at this stage of the pandemic as more restrictions have been lifted for travel, shopping, and work.”

Those staffers are employees of Broadmoor, LLC, a contractor that is spearheading the Superdome project. According to the statement, affected workers were sent home to self-isolate and must clear testing before they can return. In the meantime, their coworkers received personal protective equipment to wear on the job in an attempt at limiting further infections.

Broadmoor and Superdome management are also working together to enhance health and safety procedures, detailed as, “access to handwashing stations, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and that all workspaces are cleaned and sanitized daily. In addition, medical technicians administer temperature screenings for all workers who enter the Superdome each day, and Broadmoor has instituted social distancing measures, including staggered starts and breaks.”

It remains to be seen whether this will affect the project’s construction goals, which are staggered to account for the expected start of the NFL season. These extensive renovations to the Superdome were drawn up in a yearslong plan to work around Saints games and other big events, but organizers may have to adjust on the fly if the pandemic continues to trip them up.

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NFL issues 2nd statement, now acknowledging Black Lives Matter

The National Football League has now issued a second statement on racial injustice, finally acknowledging Black Lives Matter.

In light of the recent protests calling out racial injustices around the country, the National Football League – like many other large businesses and organizations – issued a statement. For many, the message was not strong enough. Here’s a look at the league’s first try.

 

After considerable backlash for what some considered empty words, on Thursday, the NFL issued a second statement in a series of tweets, this time, acknowledging that Black Lives Matter.

“This is a time of self-reflection for all – the NFL is no exception,” the first tweet read. “We stand with the black community because Black Lives Matter.”

“Through Inspire Change, the NFL, Players and our partners have supported programs and initiatives throughout the country to address systemic racism,” read tweet No. 2. “We will continue using our platform to challenge the injustice around us.”

And finally: “To date we have donated $44 million to support hundreds of worthy organizations. This year, we are committing an additional $20 million to these causes and we will accelerate efforts to highlight their critical work. We know that we can and need to do more.”

What “more” the NFL plans to do remains unseen, but for now, let’s hope it’s a step in the right direction.

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Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas respond to Drew Brees’ statements

New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara and WR Michael Thomas reacted to Drew Brees’ apology for speaking out against police brutality protests.

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees caught heat for his comments on peaceful protests against police brutality from a Wednesday interview, following up with a public apology early Thursday morning.

It’s a start, but stronger actions should be expected from Brees to back up his words. While ESPN’s Diana Russini reports that the Saints plan to keep further dialogue in-house — having used the opportunity of a pre-scheduled Thursday team meeting to talk things out among themselves — Brees’ apology was accepted by teammates like Demario Davis and Cameron Jordan.

Others later chimed in, including two of Brees’ most-prominent weapons on offense: Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. Thomas kept his thoughts on the topic brief, but he’s pleased with where he and his quarterback stand now:

Kamara took a little more time to meditate on the situation. He was one of several Saints players to reach out to Brees privately, and he seemed satisfied with how they both left that conversation:

Still, Kamara later used the spotlight put on him to reflect at length on his experience as a young black man in America. We’ve embedded an excerpt below, but his full thoughts are very much worth your time:

Hopefully the Saints were able to weld their fractured locker room back together after the face of the franchise alienated many of his teammates. It’s early, but signs are positive so far. With thoughtful coworkers like Kamara, Thomas, Davis, and Jordan around him, Brees’ eyes should be opened a little wider to a different perspective.

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Watch: Demario Davis reacts to Drew Brees’ apology on CNN

New Orelans Saints linebacker Demario Davis thanked Drew Brees for admitting he was wrong in an apology for comments on peaceful protests.

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees stepped into a minefield during a Wednesday interview with Yahoo Finance, criticizing possible peaceful protests during the national anthem as an affront to the American flag and armed forces. The reaction from his peers, teammates, and fans was fiery enough that Brees issued a follow-up apology on Thursday, which you can read here.

One important leader on the team was quick to thank Brees for the gesture. Linebacker Demario Davis was in the process of sharing an on-air interview with CNN when Brees’ statement went up, and he was grateful to see Brees admit that he was in the wrong. It also earned appreciation from defensive end Cameron Jordan.

Still, there’s a lot of work to be done before Brees can solve the division he created in the Saints locker room and the NFL at large. Much of that can be accomplished during the offseason through conversations with his teammates, but actions will speak louder. Like Brees, Davis has been a leader of the team — so much so that he took over for Brees in delivering pregame speeches while the quarterback was on the mend last year. His influence could do a lot to help everyone find common ground.

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Lions release a statement on “racism and social injustice”

The Detroit Lions have released a statement centered around racism and social injustice.

The Detroit Lions have put Phase 3 of their offseason training program aside in favor of discussions surrounding racism and social injustice, following the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery (Lions safety Tracy Walker’s cousin).

Today, the organization released the following statement:

“The painful examples of racism and social injustice reflected in the senseless deaths happening in our country are incredibly disturbing and it is clear that immediate change is necessary.

Over the last several days, it was important for our team to gather virtually so that the pain, confusion, anger and frustration that people are feeling could be shared as we attempt to process what is happening around us. This range of emotion has consumed the time we have spent together as a team this week. Our internal conversations have been powerful and emotional. We will continue to listen, support our players and learn as we press forward together.

Right is right and wrong is wrong. What is happening is not acceptable. We recognize that the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery are only the most recent examples plaguing our communities. Our club vows to expand on the work already being done in the Detroit community – through real action and conversation – to help our team make an impact in areas of great need. We have a duty to lead these conversations now and always, but it is equally if not more important that we continue to LISTEN. The events over the past week are a hurtful reminder that we have a long way to go with inclusion, diversity and equality for all people.

We have a responsibility to create positive change.”

Prescott speaks out as Cowboys org remains silent on George Floyd protests

The Cowboys quarterback stepped up to the virtual podium to relay his sentiments on the current protests around the country and world.

The Dallas Cowboys have yet to make an official or symbolic statement, like so many other American institutions and sports franchises have, about the murder of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department. His death has sparked a series of protests around the country as people from all racial and economic backgrounds have taken to the streets to demonstrate in various ways that there has been far too much systemic snuffing out of Black lives.

Floyd is just the most recent in a series of inexcusable deaths which have been caught on camera and video and the country has erupted, decrying abuse of the power afforded officers of the law. After several days, the officer directly responsible for Floyd’s death has been arrested, but the other officers present who did nothing to intervene remain only fired, still not charged. The ire of the people is focused not just on the handful of bad actors, but also those who work arm in arm with them, pacifically condoning the behavior through their silence. Those ills have spawned many companies and sports franchises to speak out in support of change, but to this point Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have remained out of the fray. Their franchise quarterback Dak Prescott, has found his voice on the matter however, pledging $1 million in support of police training, education and advocacy – mentioned in that order.

Prescott – who has not signed his franchise tag tender and is technically out of work currently – took to his Instagram account to post a series of carefully crafted messages, detailing his perspectives on the current climate, the need to protest, the destruction and looting which have accompanied a minority of the demonstrations, the Black Lives Matter movement and more.

Speaking directly to police officers, Prescott says the following.

“I have the utmost respect for those of you with a passion for protecting and serving your communities. When you chose to wear the badge of a police officer, you pledged to PROTCT life and property through the enforcement of our laws and regulations. How can you calim to uphold the law when those within your own ranks don’t abide by it? You need to hold your own accountable! Each of you are as guilt as the men who stood beside Derek Chauvin if you do not stand up against the systemic racism plaguing our police forces nationwide. TAKE ACTION!”

The NFL provided a statement a few days into the protest, though their words of “we recognize the power of our platform in communities and as part of the fabric of American society. We embrace that opportunity,” ring hollow to many who watched them systematically and continuously ban former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick after he peacefully protested police brutality by taking a knee of respect during the playing of the national anthem during the 2016 season. Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since, but the deaths have continued.

Several members of the Cowboys social and multimedia staff have made statements through their personal accounts, but as of the time this article is published the team has not made any statement or gesture.

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