Greg Sankey stated Wednesday night he is “prepared that optimism is not truth” when speaking about an upcoming college football season in the wake of the Ivy League canceling its fall season.
The events of Wednesday sent out a “tsunami throughout this nation from a college football standpoint,” according to SEC analyst Paul Finebaum.
The main heading, obviously, was the Ivy League canceling the fall sports season. Add to that, Stanford cut 11 sports, and both North Carolina and Ohio State shut down voluntary football workouts.
” It is an awful indicator for college football,” Finebaum stated Wednesday.
On Thursday, Finebaum stated it was the “most unfavorable” hes heard the SEC commissioner given that talk turned to the practicality of an approaching college football season throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The result?
” I do not believe the statement (Wednesday) is an any inflection point for choice making,” Sankey informed “Freddie and Fitzsimmons” on ESPN radio Wednesday night. “Now, when you take a look at what is taking place, those are the real inflection points for us. I want to be optimistic, but the truth is publicly we need to discipline ourselves to remain healthy as a culture. Which associates with some of the behaviors weve seen that have actually caused the infect speed up. Ive been optimistic, however Im prepared that optimism is not reality.”
Finebaum, who signed up with Lee Shirvanian and me on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile on Thursday, said he would not dismiss the Ivy Leagues announcement.
” Every president out there today is reading that story very carefully and asking themselves What do they understand that we dont?
” If 8 presidents at arguably the most unique schools in the country can concern this conclusion on the 2nd week of July, it puts pressure openly, along with looking at the optics of where college sports goes next.”
” Well have some indication in 3 weeks if the season will begin on time, and Im here to tell you it wont start on time.
Still, ESPN college football analyst Rece Davis, in a look on ESPNs “Get Up,” might be a bit more optimistic.
Mark Heim is a sports press reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.
” Its a reasonable evaluation. Lets talk Alabama-Southern Cal. I cant think of that game being played in Texas on Labor Day weekend, considering where California is (in terms of COVID numbers), considering where Texas is and thinking about where Alabama is.”
” I do not think the announcement (Wednesday) is an any inflection point for choice making,” Sankey told “Freddie and Fitzsimmons” on ESPN radio Wednesday night. I want to be optimistic, but the truth is publicly we have to discipline ourselves to stay healthy as a culture. Lets talk Alabama-Southern Cal. I cant picture that video game being played in Texas on Labor Day weekend, thinking about where California is (in terms of COVID numbers), considering where Texas is and thinking about where Alabama is.”
” I talked to a number of individuals over the last numerous days anticipating this choice and while they appreciate the Ivy League and there will be, no doubt, some presidents that will be cognizant of the truth they will be deemed not caring as much as the academic mission as much as the athletic one if they dont follow suit with the Ivy League, however they didnt believe that it would have a substantial impact,” he stated.
Finebaum, who joined Davis on “Get Up” on Thursday, stated, “Yesterday was the worst day college athletics has had since that March day when entire world shut down, and I do not see it getting any better.”
Finebaum isnt prepared to surrender however is pretty positive the season will not start on time.
