As a person who loves sports, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t conflicted about the idea of sports starting up amid a global pandemic. On one hand, I would love nothing more than to see my favorite players like Lebron James and James Harden take the court again. To see my hometown Atlanta Braves try to win their first World Series since 1995 would be amazing.
Since football is my favorite sport, personally, I would be crushed if my first chance to watch the Rockdale Tigers in action or the college football season were to get canceled. The Tigers are ranked seventh in the state and have a talented pool of athletes leading this year’s team. Prior to last season, it was Alabama, Clemson and the field. Now, the NCAA has the most parity it’s had in a long time.
On the other hand, we have to remember that these players are people before they are athletes. As much as I would love to see great games and watch my favorite athletes perform, it would be inconsiderate of me not to think about their health and their well-being. These players are fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters. They are not robots programmed to play for our entertainment.
The MLB expects to begin its 2020 season on July 23 after a three-week training period. The NBA projects a restart on July 30 in Orlando, FL, after being forced to shut down on March 11 due to the coronavirus. The MLS will have an MLS is Back Tournament beginning today after the season was suspended on March 12. Other sports leagues like the WNBA and NCAA college football remain in limbo as officials announce that they are doing everything possible to play this season.
While fans have expressed excitement about having sports back, many athletes have voiced their concerns about playing this season due to the uncertainty of COVID-19 and the racial injustice spotlight being at an all-time high.
MLB players such as Colorado Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond and Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman have decided not to play this season. Desmond said his desire to be with his family (his wife is pregnant with their fifth child) and his desire to fight racial injustice influenced his decision. Zimmerman said his two young children, a newborn, and a mother at high risk for COVID-19 triggered his choice not to play.
NBA players like Los Angeles Lakers guard Avery Bradley and Brooklyn Nets center DeAndre Jordan announced that they have opted out of playing when the season resumes. Bradley’s decision comes from having a son with respiratory issues, which puts him at a higher risk to contract COVID-19. Jordan contracted the virus and said he would not be rejoining the Nets on July 30 despite having time to recover.
MLS club Futbol Club Dallas announced on Monday that they will not participate in the MLS is Back Tournament due to the team’s high number of positive coronavirus cases.
Atlanta Dream guard Renee Montgomery has chosen to sit out of the 2020 WNBA season to focus on her foundation and social justice reform. Montgomery has been instrumental in raising money for the Black Lives Matter movement and the city of Atlanta.
Collegiate players have voiced their displeasure about playing this season. University of Arizona defensive end Issaiah Johnson tweeted, “The NCAA and universities want us to play during a global pandemic, so they won’t lose millions of dollars, but can’t/won’t give us money?” The tweet, which went viral, sparked responses from many other collegiate players who voiced their agreement with Johnson.
University of Texas linebacker Demarvion Overshown made headlines when he announced via Twitter that he would be sitting out of all team activities until “…real action is taken, and changes are made,” when it comes to racial injustice at the school.
I respect each player for considering the health of their families and the state of social injustices in America. It takes a great deal of self and social awareness to decline millions of dollars in an attempt to make America a greater place for everyone.
As for the other athletes, I hope they stay safe. I look forward to having the sports world return. Whichever team comes away with the championship this season, they deserve to be remembered for winning a championship during one of the toughest and most unpredictable seasons ever.
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, please remember to wear masks and take the necessary precautions to keep one another safe. The quicker we get everyone to follow directions, the quicker we can resolve this issue and get things back to normal.
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