Ohio State’s Justin Fields Starts Petition To Re-Launch Big Ten Season

Ohio State's quarterback, Justin Fields, started a petition calling for the Big Ten to immediately bring back the 2020 football season. It had nearly 250,000 signatures as of 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday (8/17).

In the petition, Fields wrote that the players believe "the safety protocols have been established and can be maintained to mitigate concerns of exposure to COVID-19." He goes on to say that he thinks the players should be able to make decisions about what is best for their health and future.

On Sunday (8/ 16), Fields tweeted that "this cause is close to my heart" and urged people to sign the petition. The campaign said it is asking the Big Ten to allow its players and teams to make their own choices as to whether they wish to play or opt out of the fall season.

It also follows the Big Ten's decision to postpone the 2020 season based on medical advice and a vote from the conference's presidents and chancellors.

Michigan defensive back Hunter Reynolds also signed the petition, telling ESPN, "I maintain the stance that other players and I want to play in a situation that is made as safe as possible and work with the conference and NCAA in order to determine a solution that addresses the concerns that college athletes have and finding a way to ensure that every school is adhering to a uniform set of protocols."

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