emu steve
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I Root For: EMU / MAC
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RE: 2020 Football Season in question
(05-28-2020 12:12 PM)Luckeyone Wrote: (05-28-2020 11:00 AM)emu steve Wrote: (05-28-2020 10:32 AM)Jerry Weaver Wrote: (05-28-2020 08:07 AM)emu steve Wrote: Nice N.Y. Times article on the 2020 season. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/27/sport...tball.html
One point the article makes, similar to our parent, is that players WANT to play. This probably true of especially players hoping to get drafted in 2021 (rising juniors and seniors), players on very successful teams competing for the college football playoffs and generally any senior in for his last chance...
"To many players, the prospect of a season lost to the coronavirus pandemic would be crushing, especially to juniors and seniors whose dreams of jumping to the N.F.L. or having one last hurrah could be deferred for another year, much like athletes whose sports were halted in March. “Players have worked their whole lives for this,” said Camren McDonald, a junior tight end at Florida State, who called a lost season a worst-case scenario. " (NYTimes)
I realize that Covid-19 is different than an ACL (it is a communicable disease, not an injury or condition like cancer), but football players play the sport they love regardless of possible injuries. I dare say many have unprotected sex which can lead to communicative diseases. People take risks based on what they love (e.g., smoking, overeating, drinking too much, etc. etc.).
In my younger day I ran in I think two foot races where someone died (I remember one distinctly - the Annapolis 10 miler). https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/s...793d490b9/ This was despite complete medical assistance stationed along the course (i.e., EMT crews, runners who are medical professionals, etc.).
My point is that people takes risks based on the cost/benefit analysis. Playing college or NFL football is considered a huge benefit for a player. It isn't like conscription in the military to fight a war (e.g., Vietnam).
The big issue, of course, is how not to spread the risk (Covid-19) which players willingly take to others who do not play the sport or attend the sport, etc. Much like 2nd hand smoke at a much, much, much greater risk.
Agree with everything Steve. Shaq Vann petitioned for and received the med redshirt even though it was obvious that last season was going to be his last playing organized football. This is not all about NFL potential, it is young men participating in something they love and have trained years to do. If they don't want to play, by all means honor their scholarship and allow them to sit out. I'm guessing few would take this option.
Thanks, Jerry.
I was by no means an excellent marathoner, but was able to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I ran 29 marathons over 26 years.
To me running was the 'love of my life.' I ran in S.E. MI with wind chills say 10 - 20 belong zero (on Belle Isle in January - wore TWO lined windbreakers). I ran down Washtenaw Ave. in Ypsilanti with a foot of snow on the road way.
Football is a game these guys love. They do not play it for money. Some don't do it for their scholarship (some would not be in college if they couldn't play the game).
I say let's play the game. Let's work on the public health aspects for the players, coaches, staff, game officials, fans, etc.
The game will be different, BUT MAC fans have long migrated from the benches of MAC stadiums to their comfy homes with HD TV.
So if fans want to stay home, as they usually do, and watch that's fine.
If stadiums are open to limited seating and some want to come, that's fine.
(they're outdoors, can wear masks, social distance if they want, etc.).
Steve,
Great job on your marathon accomplishments! That’s very impressive!!
I ran into Wetherbe at the grocery store two days ago and asked him if we’re having football this season. He said there was a lot of confidence that we would have football but not sure if it’s been worked out whether or not to allow fans in attendance.
One of the joys of running as an amateur sport is that there are a lot of milestones or goals for a runner to accomplish. Running say a 10K, then a marathon, and then one of the biggies (e.g., NYC, Marine Corps, etc.) and then try to qualify for Boston. Once a runner does a 10K the next step is to run it again, but faster (PR - "Personal Record").
I made a 'life' out of running out-of-town marathons such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, St. George (Utah), Marine Corps, South Bend, etc. etc.
And for those who want to stay close to home, the Detroit Free Press Marathon.
A marathon runner trains virtually year around like college football players.
The postponement of the 2020 Boston Marathon was to those runners like the cancellation of the tourneys in basketball. It was the highlight of their whole 'season' of running.
(This post was last modified: 05-28-2020 01:56 PM by emu steve.)
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