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Much has been publicized about the group of Pac-12 players who threatened to opt out of the 2020 college football season unless the conference agrees to a long list of demands that includes some extravagant proposals like giving players 50 percent revenue share.
But what about the players who just want to get back on the field?
There are lot of them, evidenced by the fact Arizona has only had a few football players opt out of voluntary workouts, but they haven’t been as vocal to this point.
That’s starting to change.
Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the biggest name in college football, jumpstarted the #WeWantToPlay movement on Sunday, and some Arizona Wildcats, like starting quarterback Grant Gunnell and wide receiver Boobie Curry, have joined the fray.
Here’s a look:
— G² grant gunnell (@grantgunnell7) August 10, 2020
— “Bᴏᴏʙɪᴇ” Cᴜʀʀʏ (@BoobieCurry) August 10, 2020
#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/b3BLtK9Tm9
— ™ (@Jamaryejoiner) August 10, 2020
— Brenden Schooler (@SchoolerBrenden) August 10, 2020
— (@KyonBarrs) August 10, 2020
Say it again! https://t.co/l3Vk1pmsgn
— Danté Smith (@dantecirvonni) August 10, 2020
— Stacey Marshall Jr (@_smj87) August 10, 2020
I just left from ya house Grant... you heard THE MAN https://t.co/hcyeT8V0qn
— Hollywood. (@iambobbywolfe1) August 10, 2020
This comes amid several reports that the major conferences are on the verge of pulling the plug on the 2020 campaign amid the coronavirus pandemic.
It might be too late to save it—and giving the players final say wouldn’t necessarily be in their best interest—but their voices could at least give higher-ups second thoughts about giving up on the season.
UPDATE
The #WeWantToPlay movement has merged with the #WeAreUnited moment, and they have presented a list of demands that drops the economic parts, but includes:
- Establishing universal mandated heath and safety procedures and protocols among all conferences
- Giving players the right to opt out and respect their decision
- Guaranteeing eligibility whether a player chooses to play the season or not
- Using their voices to establish open communication and trust between players and officials; ultimately create a college football players association.
#WeWantToPlay pic.twitter.com/jvQhE7noGB
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) August 10, 2020
In case you missed it, here’s what Lawrence originally had to say about the situation.
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
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
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