Report: Nearly 75 percent of Idaho's football team against playing this season
An overwhelming majority of football players at Idaho are not interested in playing this season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report from Stadium’s Brett McMurphy.
Per the report, a survey conducted among Idaho football players revealed that 60 of 82 players on the team did not want to play this season due to health and safety concerns. That is nearly 75 percent of the Vandals’ football team.
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Several players have reportedly addressed their concerns to Idaho head coach Paul Petrino, as well as assistant coaches and other members of the Idaho staff. The school’s athletic director and president have also reportedly been made aware of the concerns.
“I know that this will get drastically worse as the season progresses and I know in my heart it’s not the morally correct thing to do,” a player said. “We feel we have been neglected by the NCAA in terms of wealth over health.”
According to Stadium, Idaho has tested 125 student-athletes in fall sports who have returned to campus. So far, there have been 9 positive tests and 24 student-athletes are in quarantine.
Idaho is a former FBS program that has dropped down into the FCS ranks recently.