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.
>>FIRST REPORT: Big Ten Conference to resume fall football season in October
“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?
Let’s goooooo!!! https://t.co/9OVkhXXkWg
— Justin Fields (@justnfields) September 16, 2020
Mood pic.twitter.com/Dh8Lk4Qwos
— Chris Olave (@chrisolave_) September 16, 2020
Defensive Coordinator Kerry Coombs also tweeted out his expression of gratitude, thanking school leaders for their efforts in resuming the season.
No way I can get this all in one tweet, but I am so grateful to Coach Day, Gene Smith, President Johnson, Dr. Borchers, and most of all our players and our parents for all of their hard work! #fromthedepthsofdespairtothemountaintop #BIA #FIGHT #WEAREPLAYING
— Kerry Coombs (@DB_CoachCoombs) September 16, 2020
So excited for Buckeye Nation and enthusiastically support unanimous @bigten decision to give our student-athletes an opportunity to compete in the sports they love this fall. Grateful to Big Ten colleagues, @OSU_AD, @ryandaytime, and all our coaches and athletes. Go Buckeyes!
— Kristina M. Johnson (@PresKMJohnson) September 16, 2020
Area politicians, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Attorney General Dave Yost issued statements supporting and praising the conference’s announcement Wednesday.
Great news today from the @bigten. Thanks to the leadership of OSU @PresKMJohnson and her colleagues who are committed to a rigorous testing protocol, student-athletes will have opportunity to return to play. https://t.co/yZgpXqT7mZ
— Mike DeWine (@MikeDeWine) September 16, 2020
This is exciting news for OSU football and other fall sports. The @bigten put together a comprehensive plan with the safety of students and staff in mind. Go Bucks! https://t.co/GNgz0HYbUk
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) September 16, 2020
“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.
AG Yost issued a statement regarding @bigten's decision to allow @OhioState to resume fall sports.
— Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (@OhioAG) September 16, 2020
"Kudos to OSU @PresKMJohnson who stepped into her new role and showed exemplary leadership, instantly making a difference for the university."
Statement: https://t.co/YywBnvYMkz
President Donald Trump also chimed in with a tweet, thanking all the players, coaches, parents, and school representatives.
Great News: BIG TEN FOOTBALL IS BACK. All teams to participate. Thank you to the players, coaches, parents, and all school representatives. Have a FANTASTIC SEASON! It is my great honor to have helped!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 16, 2020
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