Unity continues despite 2020 college football season being in jeopardy

It’s hard to say if there will be a college football season but one thing is for certain, Americans are unified in trying to minimize the effects of the virus.

Ohio State’s community, like so many others across the nation, are struggling with the real possibility of the 2020 college football season being cancelled or postponed.

All of us are hopeful that the efforts being undertaken will minimize the long-term impact the COVID-19 virus will have on our country. While the noise around the constraints to our daily lives, the politics of managing the strategy of containment and nonsense about the seriousness of the virus get headlines, I am seeing a different story unfold.

This story cannot be ignored because it represents what makes our country the best in the world. The people rise up and come together when tragic events threaten the safety of our nation.

Even in this era of polarization and social media that too often drives wedges between us, the COVID-19 is bringing out the best in us.

My favorite is seeing Ohio State’s leaders donating money to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank, but there are thousands of examples that reflect our generosity and charity toward each other.

This brings me back to college football, and sports in general. I think most people understand the difference between the emotional response of wanting the season to happen versus the logical response of knowing our safety and health are higher priorities.

The fear of losing a season is more than just missing out on games.

The economic impact to the universities and communities that back them is concerning.  Livelihoods are at stake.   I’ll put that aside for now, even though I think it is huge issue.

The concerns are rooted more in the potential loss of a core piece of our identity. We are passionate, loyal and intense largely because our DNA is embedded in the teams and programs we support.

Participation in that community brings joy, and pain, but above all reaffirms traditions that make us feel better.

On the back end of COVID-19, I am positive we’ll be a better nation.  We always are when we experience critical moments like this.

Of course, it won’t be better when it relates to bashing the SEC and Michigan.  My commitment to community stops there.

For now, let us do justice to all the people making great sacrifices to ensure our safety.  They’re working fearlessly to bring back normalcy, including college football.  Let’s hope it works.