Brian Griese Says Big Ten Made a Mistake By Cancelling the Season Early
Brian Griese says that the kids are ones who are suffering because of the decision to cancel the season early, and says he never would have been drafted or even met his wife if he hadn't been allowed to play his senior season.
“It’s that game of sliding doors that is real for seniors that are playing in college right now that are not potentially going to have an opportunity to fulfill that dream, and that’s what bothers me the most.”
I agree with Brian 100%...Taking an entire year off would be absolutely devastating to these kids and their future careers and social life, not to mention the Michigan football program itself.
September 10th, 2020 at 8:31 AM ^
He's right
September 10th, 2020 at 9:38 AM ^
Literally no one knows if the decision was right or wrong, especially Brian Griese. People act like the fact that football still exists is this big indictment of the B1G. "Well, Pitt is playing, so why can't PSU?" Can also say "PSU isn't playing, so why is Pitt?" No one fucking knows. Everyone is just looking for evidence to support their own agenda.
September 10th, 2020 at 9:55 AM ^
"Literally no one knows if the decision was right or wrong,"
This is cope. It was and is a stupid decision. The virus is not a super spooky magical virus. It's a respiratory virus that is largely benign. That's it.
September 10th, 2020 at 10:01 AM ^
"Benign" is the correct description for a virus that's cause 904K deaths?
It's fine if you disagree with the decision to forgo the session, but that statement seems idiotic on its face.
September 10th, 2020 at 10:31 AM ^
190k deaths in this country with unprecedented steps to prevent more (masks, distancing, etc.). People can disagree on appropriate actions to manage the problem, but pretending it isn't a big problem is stupid
September 10th, 2020 at 10:44 AM ^
Unless 80 year olds with multiple health issues from nursing homes start playing football, it would have been fine. Approximately 50 people ages 5 to 18 have allegedly died of COVID in a population of about 50 or so million in that age group. Literally almost anything is more dangerous to that age group — and any age group — until you reach 60.
September 10th, 2020 at 11:34 AM ^
Death is not the only possible serious outcome.
September 10th, 2020 at 12:04 PM ^
And how many 5-18 year olds play college football?
September 10th, 2020 at 12:18 PM ^
That's fine and that's where I say the management of the problem is what can be debated. Time will tell whether college football can be done safely. I'd say it prooobably can be, but it's too early to tell
September 12th, 2020 at 8:53 AM ^
“Prooooobably can be” really isnt worth the risk of both death and the unknown long term effects that those infected with the virus could experience. THAT’S what it all boils down to here. The risks of the unknown outweigh the benefits of playing. Period.
I HOPE we are overreacting. I’d much rather overreact than not do enough and have dozens (if not hundreds) of these student athletes suffer from negative long term effects of this virus that make life difficult in older age or result in shortened life-spans. We don’t know what is going to happen. But it’s much better to be safe than sorry, especially when dealing with other people’s lives.
September 10th, 2020 at 2:18 PM ^
While I think most people would agree that for younger people, Covid is less damgerous than many other things, you definitely take your point about it being less dangerous than literally anything for those under 60 is a ridiculous exaggeration. If we use the same age breakdown that the CDC, the flu is a good example of something that is less dangerous for every age group above 14. For the same period of time (Feb 1 through Sept 5), Covid killed 315 people in the 15 to 24 age category while the flu killed 111. That would have made it the 7th leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year olds in 2018. For the 25 to 34 year old category it would be the 6th leading cause of death. For the 35 to 44 year old age category it would also be the 6th leading cause of death. For the 45 to 54 year old category, it would be the 4th leading cause of death.
Numbers from:
https://www.cdc.gov/injury/images/lc-charts/leading_causes_of_death_by_age_group_2018_1100w850h.jpg
September 10th, 2020 at 5:00 PM ^
That type of thinking is why the US is doing such a poor job dealing with the virus. Even if those people don't die (which is not the only outcome), how many people do they spread it to after they get it? And how many people do those people spread it to?
I love football, but have some perspective.
September 10th, 2020 at 11:00 AM ^
I think if we want to rely on the science, we need to look at how many in that age bracket are having serious issues with the virus to the point they need to be hospitalized. The death rate for young people in the age range of those who play college ball is extremely low. These are not the vulnerable that need to be protected.
Here's the CDC data that should put things in perspective based on age.
Life is a risk. The players want to play. Many on here have no problem watching them smash their brains in every Saturday risking life threatening head injuries. That's the risk they are willing to take. Let them take that risk if they agree to do so.
September 10th, 2020 at 11:43 AM ^
it's contagious. why do people find this so hard to understand.
if it ended with the players, fine.
but it can spread.
example; deaths due to spread from a wedding in maine. people are dying who DID NOT attend. the dead people did not ask for the added risk.
https://www.boston.com/news/coronavirus/2020/09/08/third-covid-19-death-linked-to-maine-wedding
September 10th, 2020 at 12:01 PM ^
The "why do you find it so hard to understand" trope is so condescending and presumptive. Stopping normal activities for a huge and far less vulnerable portion of the population is not a good solution.
If it's so contagious, you tell vulnerable people to stay at home and not vice versa. You say, "If you're 60+, regardless of your health condition, you should make every effort quarantine and limit contact."
I would say it's a classic 80/20 rule solution, but it's not even 80/20. More like 98/2.
September 10th, 2020 at 12:52 PM ^
When person after person (in the face of constant corrections) continues to assert some variation of "it's mostly harmless to young adults/children"on a daily basis, I would say some condescension is well deserved, at the very least.
We have a lot of stupid people in this country, and progressively more and more on this board. I thought we were "better" than this as a society, but I have been proven very, very wrong.
September 10th, 2020 at 1:44 PM ^
Is it or is it not mostly harmless to young adults/children? I have some data on this, but wanted to get your take first.
September 10th, 2020 at 1:54 PM ^
God damn.
You already know everything I'm about to type, so this is super frustrating, which is probably the goal. But I'll play along, again. First, I would completely remove the word "harmless" from my lexicon WRT covid-19, regardless of which demographic we're discussing. It's extremely misleading, and used for the sole purpose of influencing the conversation.
Yes it is true that children and young, healthy adults are much less likely to die from covid-19. I have never suggested otherwise, but that isn't the problem. Here's where I get really angry just having to type this AGAIN. It is one of the most contagious viruses we have encountered to date, and is deadlier than the flu. Those two things combined, make for a really bad time. Combine that with a staggeringly ignorant population, and the political/news climate we're living in, and you get 200k dead in six months. The kids who contract covid can then pass it onto their parents, teachers, siblings, and anyone else they're in contact with. Especially since they don't generally show symptoms, so why would you test them?
Why does this need to be said to a functioning adult human being, in the era of Google? I'm so disappointed in our society at large, it's impossible to express in words.
September 10th, 2020 at 2:17 PM ^
You're proving my point. Thank you.
And I'm sorry that you are disappointed in our society at large. If you gives you peace of mind, I did use google to get my data.
September 10th, 2020 at 2:30 PM ^
Please explain how I am "proving your point".
September 10th, 2020 at 4:43 PM ^
You already know everything I'm about to type, so this is super frustrating, which is probably the goal.
I don't agree with you but I did get a chuckle out of this one. I feel the same way.
September 10th, 2020 at 2:17 PM ^
define 'far less vulnerable'.
is the distinction a simple 'die or don't die from covid-19'?
September 10th, 2020 at 4:46 PM ^
Let's cut "seems" from that wording. There's an honest way to assess counterarguments that those who think the season should be on ignore.
If there was no risk to the current players, then why are three Big 12 games cancelled this weekend? The cognitive dissonance one needs to ignore this first week's foreshadowing of the season to come after ignoring nearly 200k American deaths and the long-term recovery and long-term possible damages for many is evident.
Just state that you are okay with one kid dying of covid playing a sport because the statistics, as well as being okay with the low number of community spread deaths that will result from said non-leveling of infection rates.
Yawn. This isn't about my fear, or yours, or what we are doing in our daily lives (not hiding in basements (other than maybe those of us who work virtually from basements)).
Those of us who understand the cautious approach are not thinking of ourselves. I absolutely miss football. The statistical probability of a UM football player's infection directly impacting my life are miniscule. Oh well, I don't think faculty, staff, and compliant community members should have to be more exposed for the Brian Griese's of the world, who can pose hypotheticals all he wants (because we all do).
I pretty much see those still calling it the flu just like being dumb trolls. If you really believe that your mind is not to be trusted, based on the objective empirical evidence that easily refutes such a conclusion.
Yay to all the people here who get it.
September 11th, 2020 at 10:40 AM ^
Student athletes will get Covid but it will mostly be from the classroom. Very few student athletes will get Covid from athletics, fewer still will get very sick, probably zero will die. However, there will more than likely be a few student deaths from Covid transmitted from the classrooms. There will, of course be little outrage from this.
Moving forward, we will probably never attempt to lock down like this again, even with a virus with a slightly higher mortality rate. If it is on pace to kill 5% of the planet as Spanish flu did, maybe we will lockdown. Lock downs are simply not very effective and the untold cost is catastrophic. Lockdowns kill people, not to mention dreams, happiness, businesses and quality of life. Everyone will eventually get Covid and it will be around forever just like H1N1 and most other viruses.
"Don't keep me alive by keeping me from living." Lou Holtz
#swedenwasright
September 10th, 2020 at 10:57 AM ^
Seriously. Actual reason and real common sense has completely left the building.
Downvote me
September 10th, 2020 at 11:28 AM ^
That's very naive. There is so much they don't even know still about this virus and somehow you know?
September 10th, 2020 at 12:08 PM ^
Shame on you. The "largely benign" virus will have killed 500,000 Americans by January and hospitalized close to 2 million -- and that's with a national lockdown that lasted for months. Otherwise the numbers would be 5 or 6 times greater.
Covid is roughly 20 times more contagious than the flu and 15 times more lethal.
Learn critical thinking. Stop listening to propaganda.
Christ, even Trump admitted it's a deadly and highly contagious disease and you're still denying it. What the fuck is wrong with you?
September 10th, 2020 at 3:38 PM ^
While I agree that this virus is not largely benign, I don't see who you are getting to 500k American deaths by January. According to Worldometer, we are just under 200k today deaths and had 414 new deaths yesterday. It'll take a huge (probably unlikely) upswing in deaths to meet that 500k number by January. I don't see that happening.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/
September 11th, 2020 at 2:21 AM ^
Its the UW model, which said last March there would already been 5 million deaths by now. This model has some real problems. In fact the virus has probably mutated over the past several months to be less deadly. If you look at real ICU bed rates they're much lower than they have been since April. Of course the media will lie about Texas ICU beds begin overflowing, when in fact the only one ICU ward that was half full was the UT hospital in Austin.
September 10th, 2020 at 1:13 PM ^
Do you ever get embarrassed? You should. You say so much bullshit, that is demonstrably false, but seem so sure of yourself. Every single thing you said is wrong, and this is not a new thing for you. But I'm sure you'll continue apace.
September 10th, 2020 at 5:08 PM ^
BananaRepublic is such a fucking bootlicker.
September 10th, 2020 at 5:31 PM ^
Read this, then tell us how COVID is benign.
https://elemental.medium.com/a-supercomputer-analyzed-covid-19-and-an-interesting-new-theory-has-emerged-31cb8eba9d63
September 11th, 2020 at 12:12 AM ^
Jesus horse choking Christ. This is the stoopiest thing I’ve read today. This is the type of thing they tell the people in Banana Republics. “Yeah, keeping drilling those fields, see? The oil and gas build up? It’s benign!”
September 10th, 2020 at 9:57 AM ^
Notre Dame in South Bend is located in the heart of Big 10 country and yet, they are playing and our teams are not. Everything is upside down.
This whole thing is a cluster...
September 10th, 2020 at 11:03 AM ^
lol you're doing exactly what I said in my comment. I can do it too. Every school around Notre Dame isn't playing football, so why doesn't ND care about player safety?
September 10th, 2020 at 12:41 PM ^
Oh you mean the school that killed a kid just trying to video tape practice? And then hired their own investigator? Yeah, shocked.
September 10th, 2020 at 1:39 PM ^
The choice should ultimately be decided by each player. Pro choice.
September 10th, 2020 at 5:20 PM ^
LMAO! Where do you draw the line? Should the players also get to decide for themselves if they play when they get an injury? Yes, in general, they get to choose to play knowing the risk that they might get injured. But a blown-out ACL, concussion, etc, isn't contagious can't spread at an exponential rate to their friends, families, frontline workers, etc.
September 10th, 2020 at 7:13 PM ^
bahahahaha, because being completely healthy is the same as a blown out acl or concussion.
and i guess you missed the science of testing and holding out players who test positive.
September 10th, 2020 at 5:50 PM ^
Each player can choose to leave school and play football somewhere, and I agree with you that they should have that choice.
Each school or conference should also ultimately have the choice as to whether they will sponsor teams of players playing football right now. Where teams and players disagree, the players have all the power in the world to leave the team.
September 10th, 2020 at 1:24 PM ^
Having said that, he’s right it was premature and seemed rushed right after announcing a 10 game schedule.
September 10th, 2020 at 1:32 PM ^
I hear you, but here are 100% facts. 180,000 people have died with COVID. Doesn’t mean they died of COVID, but they did die while being infected with COVID. That is 180,000 people out of a country of 328,000,000 people.
That is way less than 1% of the population. Then look at the numbers of what has happened in regards to life altering consequences due to COVID infections in healthy males 18-24 and you are probably talking about 1% of that 1%. As long as they are in the bubble the risk is absolutely work taking.
September 10th, 2020 at 11:06 AM ^
He is right Benvom. I was very pissed at the decision for just this reason in the beginning. There are dozens of 5th year seniors who would never make those NFL paychecks without showing their stuff in that 5th year.
However, the NCAA has at least granted everyone an extra year. Some of those 5th year guys won't get a chance, but the guys who really have a shot at playing on Sundays will.
I still think it's cowardice more than science that caused the cancellation, but at least this particular side effect was mitigated.
September 10th, 2020 at 2:30 PM ^
Are there some 5 year seniors who are going to miss their shot because they didn't get to demonstrate themselves in the 5th year? Sure. But, since this year doesn't count against eligibility, they've still got another year to show themselves.
Are some going to be hurt by a year layoff? Probably. But, maybe others will benefit.
There are going to be winners and losers, but NFL rosters are fixed, so the 5th yr who would have made it but didn't means that someone who would've been pushed out by them will now make it.
September 10th, 2020 at 12:18 PM ^
He's right that it sucks for seniors. He's not necessarily right that it was a bad decision. Time will tell. Even so, if one jumps off a cliff and survives, that doesn't make it a good decision to have jumped.
September 10th, 2020 at 8:31 AM ^
He’s right. I think more Michigan Alumni need to speak up. Let Schlissel know that our players are in the best hands in all of the B1G. The sport can be properly played with good protocols in place.
September 10th, 2020 at 8:32 AM ^
I just don't understand why no other former players are speaking out on this one way or another.
Guys like Woodson, even Devin Gardner are usually so vocal and then something like this happens and it's nothing but radio silence...
September 10th, 2020 at 9:23 AM ^
just take a brief scroll through the threads on this blog and its easy to see why people stay silent. If you deviate from the accepted main stream opinion even slightly you are shouted and called every name in the book. smh
September 10th, 2020 at 9:32 AM ^
This isn't accurate. I've seen some thoughtful discussions being held when everyone acknowledges that this is a messy issue with no perfect answers.
Much of what gets negged here is when a bad faith argument is presented as empirical. As it should.
September 10th, 2020 at 11:22 AM ^
Yeah, most of the negging that goes around here is at the extremes. If you say it's just a respiratory infection that is largely benign, or claim everybody just wants to kill students, then you get negged. But honestly, the OP here basically came in with a persecution complex take and got upvoted, so clearly his premise isn't particularly sound.