Lawmakers Join Michigan Players, Coaches In Protest Of Big Ten Season Delay

State lawmakers are joining coaches, players and their families in protest of the Big Ten's decision to postpone this year's football season to spring as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

On Tuesday (September 8), Republican officials Lee Chatfield and Mike Shirkey penned a letter to the Big Ten commissioner, urging reconsideration of the decision to push back the season.

The elected officials, however, are not the first to voice disdain for the delay.

The move comes days after University of Michigan team members, coaches, parents and others protested the delay in Ann Arbor on Saturday (September 5). Masked protesters met at Michigan Stadium donning navy and gold, waving signs that read “Go Blue,” “I say when I play,” and others.

Days before that demonstration, Coach Jim Harbaugh tweeted “Stay Positive! Test Negative! Play Football!,” retweeting University of Michigan Associate Athletic Director for Football Sean Magee.

Magee pointed out on August 29 that they had garnered zero positive results from 822 administered tests for the novel coronavirus.

Harbaugh and other coaches at their respective schools announced in August that the 2020 season would be postponed.

Ohio State, for example, also noted that without fall sports, the athletic department could take a $130 million revenue hit.

"The Big Ten’s current direction is the wrong choice for the conference, for our universities, and — worst of all — for thousands of our local students,” Chatfield expressed in a statement in the Free Press. "As a former student athlete, a teacher, a coach, an athletic director, and now as a parent, I know how important sports can be to young people and their development."

"I also know how much support restarting football and other fall sports has among players, coaches, parents, and the many people who have reached out to our offices demanding a change," Chatfield continued. "The Big Ten should reverse course as soon as possible and do everything possible to help their students restart extracurricular activities safely."

Photo: Getty Images