We gave 73 college football players anonymity to tell us how they really feel about all things related to playing in the time of coronavirus.
College football teams are returning to campus for voluntary workouts with the goal of an on-time start to the 2020 season. But with their return has come a handful of positive coronavirus tests, and a new series of questions about managing the virus with a large group of athletes used to being in close proximity to one another.
So, how do the players feel about returning without a vaccine in sight? And what happens if the season gets pushed further into 2021, either because of a delay at the beginning or a midseason interruption? Could players physically handle two seasons in a calendar year? How would that affect preparation for the NFL draft?
We spoke to 73 players — keeping their names confidential — from across the FBS throughout the month of May, to get their perspectives on the most pressing issues facing return to play.
Yes: 64No: 8Somewhat: 1
What they’re saying
«I would be perfectly fine practicing and playing games. There’s an assumption of risk whenever you play the sport to begin with and I don’t think adding the virus to that changes anything for the coaches or players.»
«Yes. As long as I can still see family, go home and not be on quarantine the whole time.»
«I would be comfortable as long as there’s consistent testing for the players, referees, coaches the day prior to the game or as long as the people participating on the field have been tested and are coronavirus free.»
«I would be comfortable playing if we can get some kind of professional advising that it’s safe and that there’s a way we can do this and keep everybody as safe as possible. Getting that type of professional advising and the green light from the people who really know what they’re talking about, I think that would mean everything.»
Yes:62No:11
What they’re saying
«Personally, I’d feel comfortable, but it wouldn’t feel right because the amateurism vs. the other students. The NCAA has kind of sat back and let this happen when the whole reason they came into place was to protect student-athletes and when we need them most, they’re disappearing so it would be I think a stain on the idea of [student-athletes] if we start practicing and playing and living on campus while regular students were at home because it’s not safe for them.
