Duke football quarterback Chase Brice continues to fight for a college football season as significant questions are brought up around player safety.
College football in the 2020 calendar year is at a significant crossroads caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The expected announcement since the weekend came on Tuesday afternoon that the Big Ten and Pac-12 have canceled their fall sports, including football, and in the case of the Pac-12, the league has canceled all sports until at least January 1, 2021.
However, the Big XII, ACC, and SEC are continuing with their plans to safely hold a college football season beginning in mid-September as all three conferences released a statement on Tuesday in response to the cancelations.
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The ACC’s statement can be read below:
Statement from the ACC: pic.twitter.com/9lBY5h8jNy
— The ACC (@theACC) August 11, 2020
While the season of the Big Ten was on the brink late Sunday evening, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence began a social media campaign of #WeWantToPlay, hoping it could change the mind of several presidents across the country.
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields also joined the campaign, as well as many other players including Lawrence’s teammate at Clemson and new Duke quarterback Chase Brice.
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Dating back to August 5, Brice tweeted, “we just want to play ball”, and has since continued to lobby for a football season and all fall sports to play.
We just want to play ball.
— Chase Brice (@chasebrice7) August 5, 2020
Chase Brice then followed that tweet up four days later by saying “we need to play” and “spot the ball”, again citing the potential for the college football season to be canceled.
We need to play.
— Chase Brice (@chasebrice7) August 10, 2020
Spot the ball.
— Chase Brice (@chasebrice7) August 10, 2020
The expected Duke starting quarterback then commented on all fall sports on Monday, saying if there is a football season that all fall athletes should have the chance to compete in their respective sports safely.
Facts. Not only do we want the football season to happen, we want all the fall sports as well! I want you to have your pie and be happy too!! https://t.co/7OY7K8rqRO
— Chase Brice (@chasebrice7) August 11, 2020
As things currently stand, Duke is scheduled to open the 2020 football season in South Bend, Indiana against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who is a full member of the ACC for this season, on September 12, although no time or network has yet to be announced.
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The Duke football home opener is slated for the following week, September 19, against the Boston College Eagles.