Willyville Guy

Plenty can and will happen as we change into the flu season during a pandemic, and so I'll continue to take a "I'll believe it when they kick the ball" attitude, but this is awesome and a great relief. Go Bucks and go win the whole damn thing.

Are these a$$holes from other schools intentionally delaying a vote to peel off NFL talent from OSU's roster? Wade said the failure to vote yesterday led to his decision this morning. Davis may come back but only if a decision is made fast. Something stinks about this delay. And yes, I admit I'm posting in anger.

Wade to the NFL

My blood is boiling watching football in South Bend, right in the heart of the B1G footprint.

“I am deeply saddened that my time in a Buckeye uniform has been cut short, but promise that my contributions to The Ohio State University are just getting started. I am committed to earning my degree from The Ohio State and making Buckeye Nation as proud of me as an alumnus as I hopefully did as a player. I am forever proud to be an Ohio State Buckeye!” Something about the college game hits different....

Davis wouldn't do this without consulting with the staff. There must be some level of acceptance sinking in, and it's super depressing to watch.

The B1G has been such a clown show that I'm only half paying attention at this point. We seem to be in a cycle of rumors stacked on rumors that build to a crescendo in the form of an official statement that fall sports were canceled a month ago and nothing has changed. I will have no hope or belief in a season this year until I see the players line up.

Punch it in, Donny! ? I wish this was all just a bad dream.

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Wade? If the Bucks lose Wade it will be due purely to the indecisiveness of the B1G. Warren may end up looking like a hero if the season runs off the rails for the conferences that play in the fall and the winter season works out (assuming it even happens). But if tOSU can’t give these first day draft picks some comfort ASAP they will start leaving and I don’t blame them. I’ll root for Shaun Wade in any uniform (except maybe one).

That all makes sense -- lots of different interests and motivations at play here, and timing is everything.

At this point I really don't care that much about an abbreviated B1G season in January. I mean obviously I'll watch and if the other schools are competing for a championship then I guess I'll want OSU in the mix. But if Fields and Wade and others who were supposed to play this fall won't play, then I'd almost rather see the program gear up for the 2021 season and be done with it. The part quoted above hit me hard though -- if Day thinks the team/program could potentially fall apart if they take a year off then get the man whatever he needs.

Happy Birthday Archie Griffin!! ”Archie is a better person than he is a football player, and he’s the best football player I’ve ever seen.” — Woody

Lots of smoke

Right, and the vacuum created by the silence from the school and the league is why we have unaffiliated reporters like Sir Yacht and Snook (who may be perfectly credible; I don't know) stepping into the void with their sources and stirring up all kinds of drama and expectations. Bill Rabinowitz had a promising report earlier this week, which is the most credible source yet as far as I can tell. I still can't believe Fields can go out like that -- apparently he doesn't either.

I was hoping to never again have to troll Facebook for breaking news every hour after... the last time...

I thought it was just OSU that has the worst PR imaginable in a crisis. Guess it's a league-wide thing.

I would think just like in any lawsuit. If an athlete can allege plausible facts in good faith to establish that a school or league acted in a grossly negligent or intentional manner that caused harm, then he should have the opportunity to take discovery (obtain documents, take depositions) to find out exactly what happened. If after discovery the athlete can prove his claim, he should be able to seek a judgment and compensation. Again, my view is that this should be limited to egregious circumstances that truly shock the conscience. I’m struggling to even come up with a hypothetical. Ordinary claims by people who decide to play and get sick should be waived—even if the school or league could have and should have done more—and it seems like the athletes who want to play are willing to do that. That said, seems to me that the athletes are entitled to know how the school/league plans to protect them before they sign a waiver. The more disclosure the better. Please excuse my scattered lawyer thoughts....you asked for them!

I get the need for a liability waiver, but my view is that it shouldn’t cover gross negligence or intentional conduct. If it turns out the B1G or any school is hiding information that should be disclosed, then they should have to face the consequences. Ordinary assumed risk should be waived though.

Exactly — just acknowledge what everyone already knows and wants and do it above board.

I signed it too. I’m generally persuaded by the argument that football already comes with a ton of physical risk that athletes are willing to accept. If the players and their families are willing to accept this risk too then they should be free to make that choice.

The NCAA is a mess. Maybe the P5 should take this opportunity to opt out and do their own thing. Full scholarships, academic support, life training support like “Real Life Wednesdays” at OSU, athletes can make money on their likeness, best of the best facilities and training, honest draft evaluations and consultation on when to leave early... just do what everyone wants to do at that level and stop pretending that the athletes are just like any other students.

Lots of parent groups from different schools have sent this kind of letter. The deadline in the OSU letter suggests potential litigation.

I just can’t believe they dropped a full schedule last week to get everyone fired up and then a few days later cancelled the season even though nothing had changed. I’m having a hard time processing all this. One thing I will say is that there is no way tOSU leaves the B1G over this after a century-long relationship.

Complex problem for the new president. I could see Day leaving for the pros if they cancel the season.