The B1G has caught plenty of heat for prematurely pulling the plug on the 2020 fall football schedule, but the conference is getting plenty of support from a governor in the Midwest.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she commends the B1G for taking on a “leadership role” in college athletics, calling off the college football and fall sports season. The decision was made earlier this month, as the conference became the first at the Power 5 level to opt out.

“I was glad that the B1G took the leadership role that they did,” Whitmer said, according to Ryan Zuke of MLive.com. “Obviously they’ve got huge universities and they’ve got people who are on all of these campuses that are working to try to address the COVID pandemic that we’re all struggling with.”

So far, the B1G is one of four conferences to call off the fall football season — along with the MAC, Mountain West and Pac-12. Six leagues are still moving forward towards a fall season. Because of the lack of clarity the B1G provided in making the decision, the conference and commissioner Kevin Warren have come under harsh scrutiny from players and parents.

Still, Whitmer says it was the right call to make.

Along with applauding the B1G, Whitmer was also pleased to see the Michigan High School Sports Association (MHSSA) punt on a fall football season.

“Football is a very intimate sport where you are up in one another’s faces. That’s what makes it inherently risky,” Whitmer said. “So, that’s my concern. I love football. I wanted to be a sports broadcaster. I don’t like not seeing football this fall, but I’m glad that the B1G took the leadership they did and the [Michigan] High School Sports Association did as well.”

The B1G is now working towards a model for a spring football season.