As the internet blasted out rumor after rumor Sunday that the 2020 FBS college football season will be postponed this week, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence made a case for the game to go on.
Lawrence's reasoning, as he laid out in a Twitter thread? That players would be less at risk for COVID-19 if they were under team supervision rather than away from the facilities.
People are at just as much, if not more risk, if we don’t play. Players will all be sent home to their own communities where social distancing is highly unlikely and medical care and expenses will be placed on the families if they were to contract covid19 (1)
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) August 9, 2020
Not to mention the players coming from situations that are not good for them/ their future and having to go back to that. Football is a safe haven for so many people. We are more likely to get the virus in everyday life than playing football. Having a season also incentivizes -
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) August 9, 2020
Players being safe and taking all of the right precautions to try to avoid contracting covid because the season/ teammates safety is on the line. Without the season, as we’ve seen already, people will not social distance or wear masks and take the proper precautions
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) August 9, 2020
The Tigers star — a potential No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick next year — earlier called for a way to move forward on a season.
Let’s work together to create a situation where we can play the game that all of us love. Not divide and argue. There is a way forward
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) August 9, 2020
Sunday night, Lawrence, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields and Alabama running back Najee Harris helped to raised the stakes; they were among those who introduced a campaign for players to unionize, using the #WeWantToPlay hashtag, adding their voices to those of Pac-12 and Big Ten players who have called on schools to do more to ensure their health. Players across the nation sent out the same tweet in a coordinated effort to gain recognition.
#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/jvQhE7noGB
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) August 10, 2020
#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/NgKG9Nab9c
— Justin Fields (@justnfields) August 10, 2020
#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/6kTPmMTR8s
— Najee Harris (@ohthatsNajee22) August 10, 2020
#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/ZsGgZonp3E
— Kedon Slovis (@Kedonslovis) August 10, 2020
MORE: List of notable college football players opting out of 2020 season
Lawrence's tweets about players being better off playing were followed by a spike in #WeWantToPlay tweets:
There’s been too much work put in!! #WeWantToPlay
— Justin Fields (@justnfields) August 10, 2020
My brothers & I have been working hard, and we are looking forward to this season! #WeWantToPlay #Good2Great🌊 @GreenWaveFB
— KeonHoward (@_KeonHoward2) August 9, 2020
No place safer than here at Illini 🔸🔹#WeWantToPlay #JoinTheFight #Illini #ILL pic.twitter.com/sdkVGLp9eG
— L U K E F O R D🇺🇸 (@lukeford82) August 10, 2020
#WeWantToPlay Cancelling the college football season is not the answer. We are in the safest environment possible with strict protocols put fourth by a professional medical staff. Cancelling will result in players being more at risk. It is in our best interest to stay and play!
— Dylan Leonard (@Dylanl_2) August 10, 2020
Put too much time and effort into this just for it to get taken away #WeWantToPlay @UofLPresNeeli @NCAA
— Caleb Chandler (@DatBoyCC) August 10, 2020
— Ja’MarrChase (@Real10jayy__) August 10, 2020
If opting-out is ok, then opting-in should hold just as much weight. Let those who wanna play, play and those who don’t, don’t. #WeWantToPlay
— Rashad Weaver (@R_Weaver17) August 10, 2020
Being in the football facility is honestly when I feel safest from COVID #WeWantToPlay
— Evan Conley (@Econ11_) August 9, 2020
Hey everyone 😁👋🏾 just over here wanting to play some football #WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/JqYysGYm5r
— KJ Henry (@thekjhenry) August 9, 2020
#WeWantToPlay !!!
— Spencer Rattler (@SpencerRattler) August 10, 2020
Reports Sunday centered on the Big Ten possibly canceling fall sports in 2020 and/or moving them to the spring 2021. The conference would be the second FBS league to call off play in the fall: The Mid-American Conference announced Saturday it is postponing its season to the spring.
President Donald Trump joined the #WeWantToPlay movement on Monday by tweeting his support.
The student-athletes have been working too hard for their season to be cancelled. #WeWantToPlay https://t.co/lI3CCKZ4ID
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2020
Trump tweeted: "The student-athletes have been working too hard for their season to be cancelled. #WeWantToPlay."
Play College Football!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2020
Later Monday, Trump shared another tweet that said: "Play College Football!"
