President Donald Trump is praising himself after the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors voted unanimously to resume the football season in October.
“Great News: BIG TEN FOOTBALL IS BACK. All teams to participate. Thank you to the players, coaches, parents, and all school representatives,” Trump said.
He added, “Have a FANTASTIC SEASON! It is my great honor to have helped!!!”
Great News: BIG TEN FOOTBALL IS BACK. All teams to participate. Thank you to the players, coaches, parents, and all school representatives. Have a FANTASTIC SEASON! It is my great honor to have helped!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 16, 2020
According to a statement released by the organization, student-athletes, coaches, trainers and other individuals on the field will be required to undergo daily antigen testing.
The Big Ten will require the test results to be completed and recorded before each game or practice.
A Chief Infection Officer (CInO) will be appointed by each institution to oversee the collection and reporting of results.
“Team test positivity rate and population positivity rate thresholds will be used to determine recommendations for continuing practice and competition,” the organization wrote.
Student-athletes who test positive for the coronavirus will have to undergo “comprehensive cardiac testing to include labs and biomarkers, ECG, Echocardiogram and a Cardiac MRI.”
They must then receive clearance from a cardiologist designated by the university.
After 21 days following a positive diagnosis, the student-athlete will be able to return to games.
Daily testing will be underway by Sept. 30.
The organization based the decision on information provided by the Big Ten Return to Competition Task Force, which is “a working group that was established by the COP/C and Commissioner Kevin Warren to ensure a collaborative and transparent process.”
Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference Kevin Warren expressed his appreciation for the task force.
“Our focus with the Task Force over the last six weeks was to ensure the health and safety of our student-athletes. Our goal has always been to return to competition so all student-athletes can realize their dream of competing in the sports they love,” Warren said.
He continued, “We are incredibly grateful for the collaborative work that our Return to Competition Task Force have accomplished to ensure the health, safety and wellness of student-athletes, coaches and administrators.”
Trump pushed for the season in a tweet in August, as IJR previously reported.
He said, “The student-athletes have been working too hard for their season to be cancelled.”
Trump followed with another tweet at the time, “Play College Football!”
