Big Ten will not reconsider postponement of football season
COLUMBUS — The decision from the Big Ten is final, and it won’t be reconsidered.
Just in case there was any lingering doubt about whether teams like Ohio State could find a way to play this fall, Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren revealed more details behind the decision from the conference presidents and reaffirmed that there will be no mulligan on the verdict.
Heisman Trophy favorite Justin Fields had created a petition asking for the Big Ten to reconsider, and family organizations representing Ohio State and multiple other conference institutions had requested additional insight and transparency on the details that led to the historic cancellation of the tradition fall schedule last week. Warren honored that request with a letter on Wednesday night, though he has still not scheduled any sort of press conference with media covering the league.
“I write on this occasion to share with you additional information regarding the Big Ten Conference’s decision to postpone the 2020-21 fall sports season,” Warren wrote in a message posted to the league website. “We thoroughly understand and deeply value what sports mean to our student-athletes, their families, our coaches and our fans. The vote by the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors (COP/C) was overwhelmingly in support of postponing fall sports and will not be revisited. The decision was thorough and deliberative, and based on sound feedback, guidance and advice from medical experts.
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Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren is looking to make plans for the spring. (Thomas J. Russo/Imagn)
“Despite the decision to postpone fall sports, we continue our work to find a path forward that creates a healthy and safe environment for all Big Ten student-athletes to compete in the sports they love in a manner that helps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protects both student-athletes and the surrounding communities.”
The Big Ten is still formulating an exact plan for what will come next, and Ohio State has been actively involved in that process by helping put together a proposal for a winter/spring season that could potentially start in January. Details for that have not been finalized, but multiple sources have confirmed to Lettermen Row that the winter format has gained traction provided it can be done safely.
Lettermen Row will have more on this developing story as it becomes available. Look for updates here and on the Lettermen Row YouTube channel.
