OSU students hope Trump push for football helps

COLUMBUS — Even though concern over potential spread of the coronavirus on college campuses continues, Pres. Donald Trump this week called for the return of college football.

“I’m the one who is saying I want football back. These are young, strong guys. They are not going to be effected by the virus,” Trump said.

He called the Commissioner of the Big Ten and made his case for the games to return this fall.

Later he said on Twitter “Had a very productive conversation with Kevin Warren, Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference about immediately starting up Big Ten Football.”

On the Ohio State University campus, where football is the focus of the fall semester, students are hoping Trump’s support for returning to games will help.

“From a student standpoint, they want football. And they want to do it any way they can,” said Jeff Hopkins, a student from Cincinnati.

Hopkins is a long-time Buckeye fan and even has his own podcast, The Jefe Sports Podcast. He says talk on his podcast and on campus has been dominated by speculation about whether Ohio State and other Big Ten schools will be allowed to play this season.

Technically, Ohio State has suspended its season, not cancelled it.

Student Alizeh Hasan said it should be up to the players, not just a decision from administrators.

“If they want to play, they should be able to play. And students who want them to play should voice their opinions also,” Hasan said.

Ohio State quarterback, Justin Fields, said on Twitter, “This cause is close to my heart.” He encouraged people to sign an on-line petition calling for the return of college football. So far more than 300,000 people nationwide have signed it.

Will the President’s involvement help? Hopkins and other students hope so. “I heard the decision was finalized. But we’ll have to wait and see. When you have someone like the President come out and say we want college football that’s going to raise some impact,” Hopkins said.

Cox Media Group