News Article: Time to face reality: ‘No one is playing college football in the fall’ (or are they?)

[Tidewater]

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I'm not an MD, but the risk is not sudden myocarditis in a student-athlete who gets Covid but does not realize he has damaged his heart and then dies of sudden cardiac death.
The risk is a student-athlete who gets Covid and does realize he has damaged his heart and now, no NFL teams is interested. Millions of potential income foregone.

We all feel (if one has a heart at all) the chagrin of watching Tyrone Prothro shatter his tibia and realizing he would be lucky to walk without a limp, but that his NFL career was likely over. I'm choking up typing this even now after all these years. I would hate to see a Bama starter get Covid this season, and find out in three months that he has permanently damaged his heart or lungs and that the NFL is a dream he will never see and maybe living past 50 will be a challenge. Not trying to be melodramatic. I just don't know the possibilities and risks.

 

[MOAN]

I'm not an MD, but the risk is not sudden myocarditis in a student-athlete who gets Covid but does not realize he has damaged his heart and then dies of sudden cardiac death.
The risk is a student-athlete who gets Covid and does realize he has damaged his heart and now, no NFL teams is interested. Millions of potential income foregone.

We all feel (if one has a heart at all) the chagrin of watching Tyrone Prothro shatter his tibia and realizing he would be lucky to walk without a limp, but that his NFL career was likely over. I'm choking up typing this even now after all these years. I would hate to see a Bama starter get Covid this season, and find out in three months that he has permanently damaged his heart or lungs and that the NFL is a dream he will never see and maybe living past 50 will be a challenge. Not trying to be melodramatic. I just don't know the possibilities and risks.

I understand the fear of risk in what might could happen. What would change in a few months should the season get changed to spring? Would a vaccine should it miraculously be available and proven to work all the sudden take all the risk from playing football away then? No one knows. Spring football is an asinine proposition in my opinion for other reasons beside a possible vaccine anyway.

Tyrone Prothro's situation was very unfortunate I whole heartedly agree. What could have been done differently to have prevented it? I don't know and if anyone else does I haven't heard it. So many what ifs that could happen in life I won't bore you with a short list.

My only reason to be on Tidefans is sports, football and basketball mostly, so if that is canceled for the next year then I see no reason to be on here till it finally starts back up. Hope I have reason to be on here of course which will mean we have sports!!! I recently, Monday before last, tested negative for Covid-19 and I pretty much stay home, social distance and wear mask, wash my hands when I do get out. So I am doing my part!!! Yea!!! LOL!!!

Stay safe and Roll Tide!!!!

 

[crimsonaudio]

 

[We_are_Bama]

Here is something that has been rattling around in my head. Ok, so in regard to liability. Is there a precedent whereby someone sued an individual or entity over an infection? I'm talking about just taking them to court, never mind actually winning. To that end, is it even possible to pin point exactly where an individual was infected? I've even heard it stated that in this new whacky world, perhaps lawsuits over infections can and will be allowed. I don't know about that...but let's assume that that is the case. What is to stop individuals in the future from suing their employers for catching influenza? Or heck..even a cold? The plaintiff has the burden of proof...so again...how do they go about proving such a thing? Now, I suppose an exception would be that you could sue someone over an infection IF that person infected you intentionally. Jabbed you with a hypodermic needle or some such. But heck, that would mostly fall under assault anyway. It's just hard to imagine someone actually winning a lawsuit against a university or any other entity over getting sick, if for no other reason than the inability to prove that that was, beyond any doubt, where said person was infected. The lawyer from the other side could just as easily say "hey...how do we know that you didn't get infected some other way?".

 

[NationalTitles18]

The burden of liability does not stop where someone was infected. The burden includes what those in charge knew or should have known before allowing the athlete to play. With mounting evidence of cardiac injury, even in younger patients with less severe disease, those in charge now know or should know of these concerns. If they ignore them they place themselves at risk to be sued.

For the record, I am not an attorney.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I wonder if the insurance companies these athletic departments use would have any impact on the conferences' decision? Do the insurance companies have the right (I would assume they do) to reject coverage if someone decided to go ahead and play football even though it is not recommended by health authorities? Liability is a matter of someone in authority's opinion, like a judge and/or jury. I don't think any company, especially an insurance company, wants that type risk exposure.

 

[MobtownK]

I'm not an MD, but the risk is not sudden myocarditis in a student-athlete who gets Covid but does not realize he has damaged his heart and then dies of sudden cardiac death.
The risk is a student-athlete who gets Covid and does realize he has damaged his heart and now, no NFL teams is interested. Millions of potential income foregone.

We all feel (if one has a heart at all) the chagrin of watching Tyrone Prothro shatter his tibia and realizing he would be lucky to walk without a limp, but that his NFL career was likely over. I'm choking up typing this even now after all these years. I would hate to see a Bama starter get Covid this season, and find out in three months that he has permanently damaged his heart or lungs and that the NFL is a dream he will never see and maybe living past 50 will be a challenge. Not trying to be melodramatic. I just don't know the possibilities and risks.

Is there a scan for it, and would it be feasible to scan each player a day before a game (can the smaller universities afford this?)

Not only the impact on players health, but if players die during the season because we all forged ahead - I see everyone shutting it down (as they should), & we might be in for huge changes at the NCAA and possibly more regulations on college sports from Congress.

Prothro has always been one of my favorites. It was absolutely heartbreaking.

 

[Tidewater]

Prothro has always been one of my favorites. It was absolutely heartbreaking.

The most ferocious pass catcher I have ever seen. If you got the pass in the same county as Prothro, he was going to catch it. Love that guy.

 

[CrimsonMapper]

Is there a scan for it, and would it be feasible to scan each player a day before a game (can the smaller universities afford this?)

Not only the impact on players health, but if players die during the season because we all forged ahead - I see everyone shutting it down (as they should), & we might be in for huge changes at the NCAA and possibly more regulations on college sports from Congress.

Prothro has always been one of my favorites. It was absolutely heartbreaking.

I don't know, but statements like this are what's being thrown around to justify the SEC/ACC/BIG12's delay in canceling or postponing the season.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1293378642068856833

 

[jashleyren2]

I understand the fear of risk in what might could happen. What would change in a few months should the season get changed to spring? Would a vaccine should it miraculously be available and proven to work all the sudden take all the risk from playing football away then? No one knows. Spring football is an asinine proposition in my opinion for other reasons beside a possible vaccine anyway.

Tyrone Prothro's situation was very unfortunate I whole heartedly agree. What could have been done differently to have prevented it? I don't know and if anyone else does I haven't heard it. So many what ifs that could happen in life I won't bore you with a short list.

My only reason to be on Tidefans is sports, football and basketball mostly, so if that is canceled for the next year then I see no reason to be on here till it finally starts back up. Hope I have reason to be on here of course which will mean we have sports!!! I recently, Monday before last, tested negative for Covid-19 and I pretty much stay home, social distance and wear mask, wash my hands when I do get out. So I am doing my part!!! Yea!!! LOL!!!

Stay safe and Roll Tide!!!!

So many memories come to mind of #4. The injury was bad enough, but the fact that we had a huge lead, and it was late in the game, made it even more gut wrenching. That guy was a gamer, even a generational talent. He's still a tremendous man, and makes great efforts to be a leader and an example. Proud to call him a fellow alum.

 

[dayhiker]

 

[CrimsonProf]

I heard a whisper of the cost that SEC schools are sustaining to test for COVID among athletes. It's not sustainable.

 

[CrimsonProf]

I don't know, but statements like this are what's being thrown around to justify the SEC/ACC/BIG12's delay in canceling or postponing the season.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1293378642068856833

Cole's attitude has been that we already know about the cardio problems, though he acknowledges that COVID-19 is new. There still seems to be some real concern that these cardio problems are new and not fully comprehended, hence the very real caution about putting players on the field.

I do think there is a disconnect between having kids on campus but not allowing games, but then again, the travel to and from games, as well as the game day atmosphere creates a different set of problems.

 

[CrimsonProf]

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He says that like it's a bad thing.

 

[BamaMoon]

The burden of liability does not stop where someone was infected. The burden includes what those in charge knew or should have known before allowing the athlete to play. With mounting evidence of cardiac injury, even in younger patients with less severe disease, those in charge now know or should know of these concerns. If they ignore them they place themselves at risk to be sued.

For the record, I am not an attorney.

But they are "making" them play. I'm sure it's not as simple as this, but everybody that plays accepts the risks. Fully disclose you might "die" of Covid-19 related illness and/or a broken neck, etc. They can sign a dotted line, accept the risks and then they play.

 

[TiderJack]

I wonder if the insurance companies these athletic departments use would have any impact on the conferences' decision? Do the insurance companies have the right (I would assume they do) to reject coverage if someone decided to go ahead and play football even though it is not recommended by health authorities? Liability is a matter of someone in authority's opinion, like a judge and/or jury. I don't think any company, especially an insurance company, wants that type risk exposure.

I am curious if the employer/employee relationship with workers going back to work would be handled this way with the insurance companies. I don't think so and I assume insurance companies have to cover athletes also.

I would also think all the pro athletes right now that have gone back to playing have full insurance coverage and are not being rejected.

 

[NationalTitles18]

But they are "making" them play. I'm sure it's not as simple as this, but everybody that plays accepts the risks. Fully disclose you might "die" of Covid-19 related illness and/or a broken neck, etc. They can sign a dotted line, accept the risks and then they play.

I don't make law, legislative or case law. I don't even know all the potential legal problems, but I do know that if a burglar can sue you when he gets hurt in your house then a player can likely sue a university (and perhaps society is doomed).

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I am curious if the employer/employee relationship with workers going back to work would be handled this way with the insurance companies. I don't think so and I assume insurance companies have to cover athletes also.

I would also think all the pro athletes right now that have gone back to playing have full insurance coverage and are not being rejected.

I really don't know. Make no mistake, the insurance companies will take your money and dang near cover anything. I've heard of some very odd policies over the years. They're nothing more than another version of a casino, betting the House wins more times than not and constructing policies to help their chances.

 

[bamabelle1991]

I don't make law, legislative or case law. I don't even know all the potential legal problems, but I do know that if a burglar can sue you when he gets hurt in your house then a player can likely sue a university (and perhaps society is doomed).

Just because you CAN sue someone, doesn’t mean you will win, and I am an attorney. Even in our sue happy society, you still have to prove your case. That said, I don’t think there is any school who can sustain multiple settlements from covid related injury. I am not sure how lock tight you can draft a waiver to protect the schools completely. However, I am all for teams playing in the Fall. I know people who have had Covid and are fine, from age 5 to 75. I know a few who have died but have had numerous comorbidities. I think that if players are willing to accept the risk, then let them play. If coaches are willing to assume the risk, let them coach. If fans are willing to assume the risk and attend games, let them. Our high school has been lifting weights all summer and started practice last week. We’ve had one kid test positive and nobody else got sick—around 80 kids from 7-12th grade. I believe that this virus can be managed in the college football environments. I think people need to stop living in fear and start living again. We play our first HS football game tomorrow night so if anyone gets exposed by the opposing team, we should start seeing sick kids in 2-7 days. I won’t lie and say that it doesn‘t make me a little uneasy, but I refuse to live in fear. And I may or may not be influenced by watching the BCS National Championship Game against LSU.

 

[NationalTitles18]

Just because you CAN sue someone, doesn’t mean you will win, and I am an attorney. Even in our sue happy society, you still have to prove your case. That said, I don’t think there is any school who can sustain multiple settlements from covid related injury. I am not sure how lock tight you can draft a waiver to protect the schools completely. However, I am all for teams playing in the Fall. I know people who have had Covid and are fine, from age 5 to 75. I know a few who have died but have had numerous comorbidities. I think that if players are willing to accept the risk, then let them play. If coaches are willing to assume the risk, let them coach. If fans are willing to assume the risk and attend games, let them. Our high school has been lifting weights all summer and started practice last week. We’ve had one kid test positive and nobody else got sick—around 80 kids from 7-12th grade. I believe that this virus can be managed in the college football environments. I think people need to stop living in fear and start living again. We play our first HS football game tomorrow night so if anyone gets exposed by the opposing team, we should start seeing sick kids in 2-7 days. I won’t lie and say that it doesn‘t make me a little uneasy, but I refuse to live in fear. And I may or may not be influenced by watching the BCS National Championship Game against LSU.

If players, coaches, staff, and fans in attendance were the only people affected by their informed decisions I'd have no problem with a carte blanche "go for it!", but they aren't. If they signed a waiver giving up medical care and isolated appropriately after each game I'd also say go for it. But when your decision affects others then it isn't your decision to make alone.