Big Ten canceling fall football season led to emotional reactions on Twitter
Players, fans, and media members all took to Twitter Tuesday after the Big Ten became the first Power Five conference to cancel its football season.
The Big Ten became the first of the Power Five conferences to cancel its football season due to coronavirus conferences, likely triggering a chain reaction that could see a fall without college football.
Players, fans, and media members all reacted to the news on Twitter, with Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren defending the decision to cancel the fall season and try to play in the spring.
Big Ten commish Kevin Warren: “As time progressed … it became abundantly clear there was too much uncertainty regarding potential medical risks to allow our student-athletes to compete this fall."
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 11, 2020
Former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, meanwhile, decried the conference’s perceived lack of leadership and preparedness after Yahoo reporter Pete Thamel reported that the conference first floated the idea of not having a fall season on Monday.
For the Big Ten to not have discussed plans for a canceled fall season until last night is wild to me. Complete lack of leadership and foresight. https://t.co/mk8wLkDuHj
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) August 11, 2020
However, as Michelle Steele of ESPN points out, the decision could not have been an easy one for conference leadership.
The Big Ten is well aware of how economically devastating this will be - that they decided to make this decision despite that is telling. Lot of unknowns.
— Michele Steele (@MicheleSteele) August 11, 2020
Ohio State assistant athletic director Mark Pantoni did not seem thrilled with the news, though, calling the decision “embarrassing.”
Embarrassing!!! https://t.co/9DIxEdw9q4 pic.twitter.com/Fce73RlY1i
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) August 11, 2020
Meanwhile, some used the opportunity to point out the larger historical failings of college football in protecting players.
Big Ten's out. I like watching me some college football but I'm now ready for that sport to die forever. https://t.co/EyNFQeOYls pic.twitter.com/DUqlSQVc14
— Drew Magary (@drewmagary) August 11, 2020
Here's the truth you won't hear from college sports administrators about why the Big Ten would cancel its fall college football season five days after announcing it would start playing Sept. 3. When a tweet ends up in column form, @latimes: https://t.co/K3rtyU63Hc https://t.co/W7eEM790tQ
— Brady McCollough (@BradyMcCollough) August 10, 2020
Nebraska, one of the two Big Ten programs hoping to continue with a fall season, released the following statement.
Nebraska statement: “We are very disappointed in the decision by the Big Ten Conference to postpone the fall football season, as we have been & continue to be ready to play."
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 11, 2020
Others like Nancy Armour of USA Today Sports, however, urged fans not to blame the Big Ten, but to look at the country’s larger failings in containing the coronavirus.
Those upset at the Big Ten, direct your outrage at the leaders who have refused to do what’s needed to get COVID under control. We had the time and we squandered it.
— Nancy Armour (@nrarmour) August 11, 2020
Despite the reactions from all sides, Big Ten fans are certainly upset that they will miss out on a full season of college football. As Ari Wasserman of The Athletic and other Twitter users pointed out, this is likely the end of the line for one of the conference’s brightest stars.
I'm sitting here trying to think of a way we'll ever get to see Justin Fields in an Ohio State uniform ever again and I can't come up with one.
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) August 11, 2020
I’ve gotta say: when I shot this photo, I did not think Justin Fields’ on-field career at Ohio State was five seconds from ending. pic.twitter.com/mP7KBufPRB
— Tom Orr (@TomOrr4) August 11, 2020
If Ohio State only gets one year out of Justin Fields, it’s an incredibly bad break for the Buckeyes. Last season ended with questionable calls (OSU had its chances and didn’t lose because of the officials) and the 2020 season never takes place. The frustration is understandable.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) August 11, 2020
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields sums up the feelings of players, coaches and fans with three simple letters.
Smh..
— Justin Fields (@justnfields) August 11, 2020
Jim Harbaugh knowing that his L to Ohio State has been delayed pic.twitter.com/rzFP2e1pSq
— caymien (@caymiendavis) August 11, 2020
The future of the college football season is unclear following the fall of the first Power Five domino, but the coming days should shed some light on the prospects of an NCAA fall season.
Next. 50 greatest college football players this century. dark
For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.