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Ohio State players sign waivers in order to return for voluntary workouts
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Ohio State student-athletes were ready and excited to get back to campus and start voluntary workouts for the upcoming college football season. But the Buckeyes first had to sign risk waivers before they were permitted to participate in those training sessions.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that players were encouraged to sing a “Buckeye Pledge” before being allowed to return to campus for voluntary workouts. Essentially, the waiver served as an acknowledgement from Ohio State student-athletes that there’s an assumed health risk as campus begins to welcome back individuals.
Student-athletes were first permitted to return to campus for voluntary workouts on June 8. The school is taking extra safety precautions in an attempt to slow or limit the spread of COVID-19.
In the waiver form, it states that student-athletes “pledge to take responsibility for my own health and help stop the spread of COVID-19.” It also warns student-athletes that “although the university is following the coronavirus guidelines issued by the CDC and other experts to reduce the spread of infection, I can never be completely shielded from all risk of illness caused by COVID-19 or other infections.”
A recent survey from ESPN showed that a large majority of FBS football players felt comfortable returning to practice and playing games without a vaccine for the virus. Of the 73 polled, 64 said they felt comfortable, eight did not and one was unsure.
Several schools have implemented a phased return plan for student-athletes to make their way back to campus. There’s also currently a plan in place for the college football season to begin as scheduled.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB