This is from our sister site Wolverines Wire, and yes, I feel a bit oily and might have to watch some reruns of the Buckeyes taking Michigan behind the woodshed a few times after writing this. I have plenty to choose from over the last fifteen years and it might take them all to get my head right again.
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, after five years of making so many wrong moves, has finally done something even Ohio State fans can get on board with. On Monday, after news circulated that the Big Ten was set to announce a cancellation of the football season Tuesday, Harbaugh released a statement in support of playing in the fall under the #WeWantToPlay movement on Twitter.
Say it with me slowly now, and if you have to practice in front of the mirror a couple of times, that’s fine.
Ohio State stands with Jim Harbaugh. Yes, I said it.
Jim Harbaugh issues #WeWantToPlay statement as Big Ten football canceled https://t.co/A8ZCEiTEBT
Here is the statement straight out of the left pocket of some well-ironed khakis. From Wolverines Wire via a Michigan spokesman:
“would like to address the rumors that are swirling today. I’m not advocating for football this fall because of my passion or our players desire to play but because of the facts accumulated over the last eight weeks since our players returned to campus on June 13. I am advocating on August 10 that this virus can be controlled and handled because of these facts:
The Michigan football program has had 11 positive tests out of 893 administered, including three upon initial return to campus.
We have had two positive tests out of the last 417 administered.
We have had zero positive tests out of the last 353 administered.
There have been zero positives tests among the coaches or staff over the entire eight weeks of testing.
There has been no contract tracing to our fields, weight room, locker room or facility.
We have had zero pauses in our training.
We have complied with all CDC guidelines and self‐implemented stricter standards for contacting tracing in quarantining to prevent spread.
We have followed all health and safety guidelines and welcome and encourage any health department, University administrators or other sports programs to visit and see how we practice and execute these protocols.
As Darryl Conway our Chief Medical Officer and a member of the Big Ten’s Medical Advisory Group has stated, “I wish that others could see this model.”
This isn’t easy. This is hard.
It is proven that the conduct, discipline and structure within our program have led to these stellar results. We respect the challenge that the virus has presented however we will not cower from it.
We have developed a great prototype for how we can make this work and provide the opportunity for players to play. If you are transparent and follow the rules, this is how it can be done.
I am forever proud of our players, parents, coaches and staff for being leaders and role models in our sport, at our institution and in society. We will continue to follow all health and safety guidelines, teach, train, and coach those young men and their families that have put their trust in us, while advocating for a football season in the fall.
In quoting President Theodore Roosevelt, we do this “so that our place will not be among the cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
#WEWANTTOPLAY #WEWANTTOCOACH
I can’t believe I’m saying it, but I couldn’t agree more. Now, bear with me as I call a therapist and get in as soon as I can.
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