Oklahoma coach Riley 'can't imagine scenario' without 2020 season

Field Level Media
15 Jul 2020, 00:49 GMT+10

Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley said he expects the 2020 college football season to be played despite growing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic peaking in multiple states.

Riley said that if safety can remain a priority, football should be played.

"I just can't imagine a scenario (where we don't play)," Riley said. "Whether it's something we do in the fall, whether it's a shortened season, whether it's spring, there's nothing we should take off the table. Regardless of what we have to do, I don't think there's anything we can't work around and we can't adjust and can't make work in order to play college football. We've all got to do our part on that."

Riley was outspoken against the early return to campus in June for Big 12 players, citing safety concerns during the coronavirus pandemic.

Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said last week he felt the decision to reduce the 2020 schedule to only conference games adopted by the Big Ten and Pac-12 was premature.

Riley expects concessions to be made to allow for football in a way that makes sense for players who might be concerned about taking on unnecessary risk.

"The health and safety is the most important thing, and that's the determining factor," Riley said. "If we can't do it, we can't do it. But if we can, college football is so important to these communities, these universities, these athletes -- not just football athletes, but college football affects every athlete on every campus. It's a big, big deal. It's not more important than health, but if we can get it to a safe place, we've got to find a way to get it done, whenever and however."

--Field Level Media

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