The Florida Gators football leadership council has officially made a statement in regards to their desire to play the 2020 football season.
Starting quarterback Kyle Trask, one of more than 12 members of the football leadership committee, tweeted the
“We are in unprecedented time as a country and as student-athletes. As such, we, the leadership committee of the University of Florida football team, want to make our voices heard… WE WANT TO PLAY!
We feel the safest place for us is with our teammates in the structured environment of the football program. We are following the medical protocols that have been put in place based on the recommendations of the CDC and UF Health. In following these protocols, we currently have zero athletes in quarantine.”
We have already lost a great deal of our athletic development this season due to COVID-19. We want to make sure we have the opportunity to continue our growth on and off the field in order to accomplish our team and personal goals. We are the ones taking the risks of playing our sport, and we continue to do so with the underlying risks involved.”
The message comes after an attempt led by Clemson starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence, along with members of Big Ten and Pac 12 teams last week. That message was one of unity, a request for standard and sufficient testing standards for COVID-19 and an expressed desire, across the board, to be allowed to play games in the fall.
The B1G and Pac 12 both postponed their fall seasons on Monday of this week, while the ACC, Big 12 and SEC have decided to continue on to their respective kickoff dates.
The only request in Florida’s statement was for universities to continue providing medical assistance after student-athletes leave campus. Every sport, not just football, can lead to injuries both minor and career-ending. While a student-athlete is on campus and on scholarship, their medical bills, provided that the injury happens through competing or practicing for their sport is taken care of by the university or university athletic association. Given the uncertain nature surrounding COVID-19 and what long term effects it can do to the human body, Trask and the Gators are asking, not demanding, that the university consider extending that practice of supporting players for a period even after they are no longer on scholarship.
“As we continue our journey to play, we ask for the support for not only ourselves but all student-athletes for the ability to continue to chase their dreams. Due to the lack of knowledge and data of the long-term effects of COVID-19, as well as other injuries and conditions sustained; we as student-athletes are asking that the NCAA and athletic departments across the nation to consider extending the medical support that is currently provided to us for a period of time following our departure from campus,” Trask wrote. “Once again, these are unprecedented times, and WE WANT TO PLAY; however, it is also our obligation as a student-athlete to leave the game, in which we love, in a better position for future student-athletes.”
Trask’s message was quickly retweeted by head football coach Dan Mullen, who has also tweeted his support of the We Want To Play movement.
https://twitter.com/ktrask9/status/1293653895043059715