ACC team becomes first program to publicly opt out of bowl game due to COVID-19

In what has been an unprecedented season, Boston College (6-5) is now the first team to decline an invitation to a bowl game.

The decision is due to safety precautions because of COVID-19. The Boston College football team has only had one player test positive for the virus.

Breaking News: BC Football Concludes 2020 Football Season; 6-5 Eagles decide to opt out of a bowl gamehttps://t.co/X1Bu57eAkm pic.twitter.com/63bCdfKNzc

— BC Football (@BCFootball) December 10, 2020

Boston College AD Pat Kraft commends the football team for the way they represented the university this season.

“Our student-athletes have sacrificed so much since June to even make this season possible for BC and our fans and now it is time for them to focus on finishing up the semester strong and going home to spend time with their families and loved ones,” Kraft said. “Very few teams in the country handled playing in a pandemic better than our student-athletes have and I thank them for all of their hard work and sacrifice to make it through the season. While the team has decided to conclude its season, we have the utmost respect for our ACC bowl partners and we look forward to participating in the postseason again in 2021.”

Boston College coach Jeff Hafley echoed Kraft’s sentiments and praised his team for its mature response during the pandemic.

“I can’t thank our players enough for the sacrifice and commitment they showed to each other, to our team and to our community,” Hafley said. “I am so proud to be their coach and I am thankful they now have the opportunity to go home for the first time since June to see their families. The young men in our program and our coaches and staff have been through an incredible six months and the restrictions placed on our student-athletes along with their adherence to strict COVID-19 policies and protocols took a mental and physical toll on them. People may not fully understand just how grueling this season was and our team needs and deserves an extended break to help recharge their minds and bodies.”

BC coach Jeff Hafley says the biggest reward of a bowl week is "a week away with your friends." Since that won't be the bowl experience this year, a better reward will be letting the kids spend the holidays with their families.

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 10, 2020

Boston College defeated Duke, Texas State, Pitt, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, and Louisville this season.

Rolando Rosa

Rolando Rosa brings his experience covering college football to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @RolandoRosa3.