SEC commissioner: Medical experts gave green light for CFB season
The SEC's medical advisory group gave the conference's presidents the green light to prepare for the college football season this fall, according to commissioner Greg Sankey.
"Our medical advisory group has said, 'Yes, we can continue to go forward,'" Sankey said on the "Dan Patrick Show" on Tuesday, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. "Should that advice change, that would certainly be a stopping point."
Sankey added, "We haven't made a final decision, but we have set a start date. I would be encouraged by that."
He also said fans have a role to play in whether the upcoming college football campaign will proceed.
"It is abundantly important in our part of the country that the college football fans are part of solving the health problem ... masks, hygiene, social distancing," Sankey said, per Dave Matter of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
On Monday, shortly after a report that the Big Ten plans to cancel its football season, Sankey addressed the uncertainty created by the coronavirus pandemic:
...Deveoped testing protocols...We know concerns remain. We have never had a FB season in a COVID-19 environment. Can we play? I don’t know. We haven’t stopped trying. We support, educate and care for student-athletes every day, and will continue to do so...every day.
— Greg Sankey (@GregSankey) August 10, 2020
The SEC recently announced its COVID-19 protocols and guidelines for the 2020 season. They include at least two coronavirus tests per week and require coaches to wear face coverings on the sidelines during games.
The conference also recently released two additional matchups for each team as part of its pandemic-adjusted conference-only schedule.