Pac - 12 football players have threatened to opt-out of the upcoming season unless their concerns about playing during the COVID-19 pandemic and other racial issues are addressed.
The players’ concerns were published on The Players Tribune website. Players are using the hashtag #WeAreUnited to make their voices heard.
A group of football players say they will “opt-out of Pac-12 fall camp and game participation unless the following demands are guaranteed in writing by our conference to protect and benefit both scholarship athletes and walk-ons:”
-Health and safety protections
-Protect all sports
-End racial injustice in college sports and society
-Economic freedom and equity
Several Utah players have retweeted the letter.
The descion for my teammates to play or not, is their decision. The descion for me to play or not, is mine. I am a spokesperson for the University of Utah athletes who believe in points on the list. I did it to lead those who want to have a voice at this university.
— Nick Ford (@FearThat55) August 2, 2020
— Jake Bentley (@JakeBentley19) August 2, 2020
#WeAreUnited pic.twitter.com/HUrHRLv9B2
— Cameron Rising (@crising7) August 2, 2020
FYI
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) August 2, 2020
PAC-10 Commissioner Larry Scott makes $5.3M. If the only reform was to make his salary $450K (still a top 1% salary), every PAC-10 football player could get an annual $5,000 stipend to help their families with rent, health care, food, etc.https://t.co/QUVaitr2lH
Couldn’t have said it any better https://t.co/23LM2OkcTZ
— Tj Green (@tjgotemmcoach) August 2, 2020
The Utes are scheduled to open the season against Washington State on September 26th.