Ohio State

Big Ten: Buckeyes, politicians express gratitude as conference resumes fall football season

By Michael Purves

Big Ten Football Championship - Ohio State v Wisconsin FILE: Nicholas Petit-Frere #78 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after winning the Big Ten Championship game against the Wisconsin Badgers. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

By Michael Purves

COLUMBUS — Reaction surrounding the Big Ten’s announcement of a resumption of the fall football season was mostly of gratitude and joy among Ohio State players, coaches, administrators, and area politicians.

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“Today is a really good day for our football program, and especially for our players and their families,” Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day said. “It’s the result of a lot of hard work throughout the conference, including Ohio State President Kristina M. Johnson and Gene Smith. We can’t thank them enough for their leadership and being steadfast advocates for us.”

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“Let’s goooooo!!!” Justin Fields, Ohio State’s starting quarterback tweeted following the announcement. Fields has been praised by many, including by Day, for leadership in the days after the Big Ten initially postponed the season in August.

>>RELATED: What changes led to Big Ten Conference’s decision to resume fall football season?

Defensive Coordinator Kerry Coombs also tweeted out his expression of gratitude, thanking school leaders for their efforts in resuming the season.

Area politicians, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Attorney General Dave Yost issued statements supporting and praising the conference’s announcement Wednesday.

“While it took longer than I wanted, the decision to allow sports again at The Ohio State University and other member universities is the correct one” Yost said in a statement. “This was always about fairness and being equitable in the agreement between the conference and the universities. Going forward it’s my hope that the future of the Big Ten is always fought on the field and not in the courtroom.”

Yost had previously said Ohio State could sue the Big Ten if a fall season wasn’t announced.

President Donald Trump also chimed in with a tweet, thanking all the players, coaches, parents, and school representatives.

Cox Media Group

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