Ohio State Coach Wants Big Ten To Explain Why Football Isn’t Being Played
Sep 10, 2020, 3:50 PM
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Big Ten powerhouse Ohio State is still seeking answers as to why they aren’t football right now.
Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day released a statement on September 10th aimed at Big Ten leadership in hopes of receiving answers as to why the league isn’t playing football for the first time since 1896.
— Ryan Day (@ryandaytime) September 10, 2020
Since the decision to postpone fall football took place in August, the Pac-12 Conference followed suit. But the other three Power 5 leagues have moved forward and are playing this fall. Leaving many Big Ten players, parents, and coaches wondering how is this possible?
In the state of Ohio alone, high school football and the Cincinnati Bearcats from the AAC are playing. But no Buckeye football. The Big Ten has not been transparent in the reasoning behind their decision to postpone their fall season.
Radio host Dan Patrick has said on his nationally-syndicated show that the Big Ten Conference is targeting a start date of October 10th, if updated safety measures can pass.
The Big Ten drama has even risen to the highest-ranking of the United States. President Donald Trump reiterated his stance on wanting the Big Ten to play football when asked on Thursday about schools remaining open this year, “We hope that they do indeed stay open. We want to see Big Ten Football. We hope it’s coming back. We have a lot of colleges that we’re talking about. They want to come back.”
Ohio State coach Ryan Day’s Statement to Big Ten Conference
“While I understand the Big Ten Conference’s decision to postpone the football season because of health and safety considerations, the communication of information from the Big Ten following the decision has been disappointing and often unclear. However, we still have an opportunity to give our young men what they have worked so hard for: a chance to safely compete for a national championship this fall.
“I couldn’t possibly be prouder of how this team, our medical personnel, athletic director and president have stayed together and managed through this extremely difficult time with so many unanswered questions. The Big Ten medical subcommittee has done an excellent job of creating a safe pathway toward returning to play in mid-October.
“These young men and their parents have asked so many questions that I do not have an answer to, but the one that hurts the most is “Why can these other teams and players play and we can’t?” Duke is playing Notre Dame, and Clemson is playing Wake Forest this weekend.
“Our players want to know: why can’t they play?”
