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A risk with no reward

Last Friday afternoon, the Michigan High School Athletic Association delivered a gut-wrenching announcement. The MHSAA made the decision to postpone the 2020 fall football season until the spring of 2021; a decision that has sickened many parents, coaches, fans and, of course, athletes.

A decision has been made, but so many questions surround this big decision.

It is understood that there is still plenty of panic around the world with the ongoing pandemic, but why did this decision have to be made? Why is this the final decision? Why was the decision made to put a halt to one of the greatest fall traditions, Friday night lights.

It’s no secret that high school football brings communities, big and small together and brings out the best in young individuals as they learn life lessons. Fall Fridays are a chance for so many to rally behind their teams and show their colors. It’s simple: high school football brings us together and if there was ever time that our country needed to come together, it is now.

Unfortunately, we won’t get that chance this year. Athletes won’t get their chance and for the seniors, who may never get to experience a Friday night football game again, where do they go from here?

So many questions, but so few answers. So much uncertainty and so much taken away.

My opinion on this situation may not be a popular one, but to me there is just no clear cut answer as to why the MHSAA made this decision.

It was announced that the MHSAA had until Thursday to make a final decision on the status of the fall sports season. So why didn’t they wait until then so they could make the best decision for all parties?

This seems like a decision that was not well thought out.

Instead of one person or a small group of people making this decision, why wasn’t it left up to athletic directors, coaches, parents and the athletes themselves? Why didn’t more people have a say in this, especially people that the situation affects the most?

For months, we have been told to follow strict rules and guidelines. These same strict rules and guidelines were given to high school football players and since offseason training began, there has been no word that these guidelines have not been followed. Coaches and players have done what has been asked of them and already put in countless hours preparing for a season.

What is the reward for following these rules?

There is no reward. In fact, instead of a reward for high school football teams, you get punished. You get your fall season taken away.

Another question I have is, why is football the only sports affected? I’m happy volleyball, cross country and tennis at most schools are still scheduled to happen, but why just one sport? I go back to my theory that high school football brings people together more than any other sports. Right now, bringing people together just isn’t the new norm. Instead we have separation and anger.

There’s no doubt football is a high-contact sport and some say right now it’s not worth the risk to play.

Perhaps that argument could be made. But let’s think about what spring football could look like–which isn’t set in stone yet.

Are athletes more at risk right now or are they going to be more at risk in March? I ask this with good reason. Sure, there may be a higher risk of spreading this virus on the football field right now. But what about the other risks in the spring?

Part of me believes the MHSAA’s decision to move football to the spring was based heavily on the impact of downstate schools. Our area in northern Michigan along with the Upper Peninsula is quite possibly going to be affected by this change in an even more negative way.

Let’s say we begin football in March, the tail end of flu season. In northern Michigan, the ground could be frozen and covered with snow. Maybe we get lucky and have a light winter, and rain melts the snow away.

Perfect scenario right?

Not exactly.

I’ve covered enough games and have been at every local field around the area and with the exception of Alpena’s brand new turf field, the fields are in bad enough shape near the end of the fall season as it is. Now imagine the fields after snow has sat on them all winter and soaked in. The MHSAA expects there to be games played on those fields? If they’re truly concerned with the safety of the athletes, they certainly haven’t considered the serious injury risk because of what could be considered unplayable field conditions.

Now I also understand injuries happen in football, it’s just the nature of the beast, but if the field conditions are unsafe, what is more of a risk to the coaches, parents and players, the chance of getting the coronavirus or risk of a serious injury? Let’s leave that up to the coaches, parents and athletes themselves to decide.

If the decision makers were so concerned with the dangers of playing during this time, why were teams allowed to participate in workouts, drills and practices during the offseason? There is obviously a risk of injury during any of these situations. If we get rid of anything that there is a risk for, what’s the point of doing anything? There’s going to be a risk in just about anything you do.

With most risks there is often a reward, except for this instance. All there seemed to be was false hope.

If football is to begin in the spring, there is a possibility some athletes may have to make a decision as football season may interfere with spring sports such as baseball and track and field. There are also rumors of pushing the start of the spring season back.

This is an option, but I’m not so sure it’s the best one. This will make an already busy schedule for a student-athlete even busier, while possibly delaying college recruitment and decision making and interfering with summer travel leagues.

If the MHSAA is so concerned with the safety of football, a better option may be to experiment with moving fall sports to the spring and spring to the fall, which has been discussed in past years.

I’ve heard the phrase time and time again, “it’s just a game.”

If you have never played, you may never understand this. There’s a chance these student-athletes will never play this game again with their group of childhood friends. They may never put on their helmet and pads and play in front of their town under those Friday night lights again.

Not only are memories being taken away, but so are opportunities. Some athletes are gifted enough to be recruited, but some athletes who may not have been getting looked at are hoping for one more shot to prove themselves. Now some of those opportunities are being ripped away.

The opportunity of going to a small college or university to get a scholarship or fulfill a lifelong dream is now at serious risk, along with opportunities after an athlete’s playing days come to an end.

This goes far beyond not just being able to play a game. It’s not just potentially taking away a game, but taking away life-changing opportunities.

For many, football and sports in general are a safe haven and sometimes, student-athletes are better off and safer when they are with their coaches, teammates and who some consider their family.

Though a decision may be final and there may be no fixing the situation, I would hope the MHSAA takes a chance to possibly reconsider and think about all options and every little detail. I understand it is unlikely, but I’m one to never give up hope.

This is important, no matter what some may believe. This is bigger than just a game.

It seems to me that there is more risk with the decision that has been made than there would have been if the MHSAA would have let the football season play out as scheduled.

By playing the football season as planned, certainly there is a risk–maybe more than a normal year because of the health risk–but allow people involved to decide whether it’s worth the risk. If they’re willing to take a risk, at least there is a reward of a season being played in full without any major problems.

By possibly taking the season away completely, there is plenty of risk. Where do these student-athletes go from here? There’s a huge risk with no reward.

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