With college football in question what do players' parents think?
In one of the most eventful days in college football in recent memory, Sunday saw the Big Ten (and possibly other conferences) on the brink of cancelling the 2020 college football season. Shortly thereafter, a plethora of college football players voiced their desire to play in the #WeWantToPlay movement on social media largely led by Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence. While there are a lot of implications whether college football happens this fall or not, one perspective that may be one of the most unbiased of all is that of the players' parents. While they may be the players' biggest fans, parents also are largely concerned over their son's safety which is why I reached out to some to get their input on the current situation of college football, specifically as it relates to Louisville. For the sake of protecting the players, I am not using players or their parents' names.
We will continue updating this as we get more information.
Parent 1
"I'm for having a season now, my wife is also. She has COVID right now actually, day 5 in quarantine of it. He is safer staying there with UofL than coming home."
On keeping them safe: "I think Louisville football is doing a great job. I trust UofL and their staff to have everything set up for travel."
On implications of not playing: "Without fall season my son will go straight into training for the combine and skip spring ball. He wants to play, he thinks they can make a run at the ACC championship this year."
Parent 2
"I am much more comfortable with them being monitored on a daily basis by the Louisville training and medical staff, than I am trying to monitor their health myself. The program has protocols in place that are very stringent and the players are taking it very serious."
"My son DEFINITELY wants to play and I feel comfortable letting him play. This is more than just a game to him and it would be a huge adjustment for him if he didn’t have a season. Canceling the season would certainly have a negative effect on his emotional state and could possibly lead to depression."
On if you feel like Louisville coaches have your son's best interest at heart: "Absolutely 100%. I have zero doubt that the program and coaches are taking every precaution to keep our kids safe! If I didn’t, he wouldn’t be there."
Parent 3
"I really would like to see them have a season because they have really worked hard. I think college football is very necessary for a lot of players because they are bonding with their brothers and staying out of harms way. If the season is canceled it will affect all of them and us."
Parent 4
On how comfortable you are as a parent to let your child play: "Even though I am apprehensive and still afraid of this virus… I believe that we shouldn’t continue to live in fear. He’s a grown man and if he feels comfortable that the school and the staff are doing everything they can to make sure everyone is healthy, then I have complete faith in them as well. Unlike The previous football staff, this staff actually cares about our children as if their own . If the coaching staff feels comfortable enough with the protocol that they feel safe enough to go home to their own families, then I am confident everything is being done to keep my child safe as well."
On implications not having a college football season would have on your son: "I’m very concerned and unsure of what my son’s football/Potential NFL career options will be if there is no season. Like thousands of other young men in this country he’s currently living out his dream and the next level would be to pursue an NFL career. If he doesn’t have a season this year, we’re not sure if his scholarship will still be available for him to play an extra year in the spring. Everyone is very unsure of that and that’s one of our major concerns as far as what his steps will be if there is no football this fall. Will he be able to come back in the spring and still have a scholarship? This is something he’s worked towards literally his entire life and now there’s nothing but a big “?” In front of him."
Parent 5
"Well we have been concerned about Coronavirus from the beginning. (Parent 1) is a first responder, I’m an HR director in retail, my sister is a deputy surgeon general in a hospital in Florida. So we’ve been concerned and worried about COVID and our son just in general, like we have all our kids. We’ve been wearing masks and taking precautions before wearing masks was cool! I say all that to say we aren’t in the virus hoax camp but we absolutely want our son and all of these young men that want to play the game with precautions in place. We’ve been so comforted and impressed by Vince, Matt Summers and Coach Satterfield and the entire staff’s investment in doing everything possible to keep them safe as possible. And it’s all been a major inconvenience for them and especially for the guys. All of these guys have had soooo much asked of them since Spring ball was cut short and they were sent home for months away from football. Away from their routine and resources but still trying to maintain their conditioning and strength most without access to gyms. But harder than that has been the unknown for their futures and the mental and emotional toll. And they’ve done EVERYTHING asked of them. Every test, mask requirement, social distancing and not being able to be together as often as they’d like. They’ve done it all and it’s working. Football is a tough sport and all of these guys have given so much to get here. They are here because it’s what they love and it’s their life. These are their brothers and mentors. For some, father figures. Family. They all deserve for the decision makers to at least try to make it work. If our son contracted COVID what difference does it make where he caught it? We worry about him in plenty of other less protected spaces than we ever do when he’s at the facility or with his teammates. At the end of the day we have FULL FAITH and trust in this staff and Vince and Neeli and so does our son. He wants to play. This is his dream. We also know God’s got this and we’ll deal with whatever we’re faced with. I just pray it’s on the football field this fall.
Parent 6
Do you think college football should continue and why?
So long as they can provide a safe environment for the athletes. We understand the protocols with respect to practice, classes and training...in essence everything that happens on campus, but as a parent, I would like to know more about the safety protocols while traveling and actually playing the game.
Do you trust Coach Sattefield and staff to take care of your son while navigating this pandemic?
My wife and I trust Coach Satterfield, the medical and training staff as well as school President, Dr. Neeli Bendapudi and the Athletic Director, Vince Tyra.
What would the potential implication be for your son in particular if the 2020 season does not happen?
While football is his passion and he aspires to play in the NFL, football does not define who he is. He has an internship focused on his major and fortunately another year of eligibility. He will of course be disappointed, but he’s a fighter and will make the best of it.
Parent 7
We are 100% with the student athletes to play if the Administration and everyone involved keep doing what they are doing. I am very proud of the coaching staff, the administrators, the medical professionals and all the other staff like equipment, cleaning, laundry, nutritionist etc...it take a lot of hands to pull this out. I hope that the other teams are also following the same protocols and procedures. It's in GOD'S hands now!