Urban Meyer explains why B1G should reconsider COVID-19 policies
As part of the Big Ten’s plan to take the field this fall, the conference instituted a number of protocols, including a 21-day quarantine if a player tested positive for COVID-19.
That rule in particular has caused debate in the college football world, especially when it’s compared to other conferences. The latest person to speak out on the rule is former Ohio State coach and current FOX college football analyst Urban Meyer.
During Saturday’s FOX Big Noon Kickoff, the conversation surrounding the 21-day rule came up as Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz tested positive for the virus and is in the midst of his 21-day layoff.
At the same time, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is in a 10-day quarantine after testing positive for coronavirus, per the ACC’s COVID policy.
“It really bothers me, to be honest with you,” Meyer said. “Competitive disadvantage. That’s wrong. Trevor Lawrence, we all know he’s going to play next week. If he’s asymptomatic, it’s the right thing to do. When you start saying 21 days — and when you say the Big Ten, the Big Ten came out and said, ‘We would not revisit playing this fall.’ They’re playing this fall. Why don’t you go back? Science, everything changes. If this is about myocarditis, if it’s about that, revisit it and say what’s right for the player. Their (Wisconson) season’s over. Twenty-one days without your quarterback? That’s a competitive disadvantage. Now once again, if it’s for the health and safety of the player, a whole different animal.”
Meyer may have a point, but he is not the person to listen to when it comes to this. This conference has 14 different medical schools plus a litany of other medical professionals paying attention to this epidemic. They are the ones who should help make this call, not a former college football coach.