Canceled.
The word that strikes a chord with thousands, some who wish to utilize it and others who are fed up with what it has morphed into.
But canceling something doesn’t automatically mean mal-intent or cause for anyone to be frustrated or fearful. It can stand for justice and protection of the once oppressed. Its place in society is important when issued by the right people with true conviction.
In the case of college football, I’m not entirely sure that the decision to cancel the 2020 season can be done without the proper parties. And I’m not talking about gathering a bundle of athletic directors and suits.
I’m talking about allowing the players and coaches to make the call.
An athletic director’s role is obviously one of tremendous importance and the opinion of one is nothing to neglect. Not only are they responsible for putting together coaching staffs, but they are required to have to make difficult decisions with the coaches and players in mind.
That’s all fine and good when it comes to scheduling opponents or organizing state of the art renovations. But when we are talking about people’s livelihoods and futures, the decision to end their professions cannot be left up to a group of roughly 14 people.
And if the #WeWantToPlay movement has proved anything, it’s that the opinions of the players are currently not being considered.
And that’s an issue.
Maybe the decision-making process is too early in its stages and getting around to the players hasn’t happened yet.
If that’s the case, then the decision-making system needs to be altered.
Without the players as well as the coach’s input on the matter, then the true consensus cannot be encompassed. Yes, this is how the system usually goes with a board deciding what the best course of action is for the league.
But dare I say the system is broken.
And this has led to college football’s biggest stars to take matters into their own hands.
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) August 9, 2020
There’s been too much work put in!! #WeWantToPlay
— Justin Fields (@justnfields) August 10, 2020
Find a solution!!! #WeWanttoPlay
— Ihmir Smith-Marsette (@_ihmirr_) August 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/_jakevenables/status/1292617258624327690?s=20
Lets come up with plan don’t matter what it is anything just something so we can all play the game that we love💯🙏🏾#WeWantToPlay
@UofLPresNeeli— Tutu Atwell Jr (@tutuatwell) August 10, 2020
#WeWantToPlay I need to play ‼️ pic.twitter.com/03cMOttstv
— Sam Brown (@playboisammy) August 10, 2020
Hey everyone 😁👋🏾 just over here wanting to play some football #WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/JqYysGYm5r
— KJ Henry (@thekjhenry) August 9, 2020
So much work has been put in. So much adversity has been overcome bc of the game we love. #WeWantToPlay
— B r e v i n J o r d a n (@Brevinjordan) August 10, 2020
The Penn State football doctors, trainers, and coaches have always put our safety and well being before anything else. The precautions and guidelines that our team is following puts us in the best position possible to be healthy and successful. #WeWantToPlay
— Will Fries (@willfries55) August 9, 2020
I believe we can find a solution where we protect our students and staff members that also finds a way for us to play #WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/x0bhiHgPsN
— Nicholas Starkel (@NickStarkel) August 10, 2020
— Ryan Hilinski (@ryan_hilinski) August 9, 2020
My momma still workin. #WeWantToPlay
— TMJ (@Terracemjr) August 10, 2020
#WeWantToPlay ☘️🙏🏼
— Ian Book (@Ian_Book12) August 10, 2020
— Bo Nix (@BoNix10) August 10, 2020
The list of players, former and current, joining in on the trend grows by the second in support of what the student-athletes have in mind.
In just a few hours the movement morphed into something even bigger, with the call to start the first college football players association.
#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/6kTPmMTR8s
— Najee Harris (@ohthatsNajee22) August 10, 2020
#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/NgKG9Nab9c
— Justin Fields (@justnfields) August 10, 2020
#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/jvQhE7noGB
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) August 10, 2020
At no other point in time has there been this much pressure put on conferences and the NCAA in terms of the benefits of student-athletes. A week ago the Pac-12 players took a stand with the #WeAreUnited article in The Players Tribune, which asked for player compensation, protections and protocols for COVID-19 as well as help in ending racial injustice in college sports and society.
And with the sports biggest names getting involved and taking stands it almost feels like the gears are shifting, ever so slightly.
But despite the huge backing by people with large and small numbers of followers on social media, the debate surrounding the upcoming season should still be had amongst players and their coaches.
Coaches have to voice their thoughts on the season, especially those with underlying health conditions. And players who are not supportive of the #WeWantToPlay movement need to be heard as well.
But their thoughts should not be held in higher regard than the other athletes or coaches, but rather treat them all as equals.
These are the people who are at the most risk. These are the people who are going to campus and following the protocols set by their local governments and athletic conferences.
If they believe a season should happen then they need to be brought front and center into the discussion.
And even if college football is met with cancellation, the decision should be made in conjunction with the student-athletes along and their coaches.
Because whatever decision they come to will be the right one.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
