When it comes to high school sports in Illinois, I seriously doubt Gov. J.B. Pritzker could find his way from Marist to Brother Rice or from Waubonsie Valley to Neuqua Valley or from Sandburg to Andrew.
That doesn’t mean, however, he doesn’t care about the health and well-being of this state’s citizens.
The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on the country. We’re closing in on 200,000 deaths.
But if you play high school football, girls volleyball or boys soccer, which had their fall seasons postponed until the spring, Pritzker is viewed more as a tyrant than a servant.
I can see why.
Professional, college and high school sports teams have proven, for the most part, if you take the necessary precautions to safeguard against COVID-19, games can be played and seasons salvaged.
In that regard, Pritzker has dropped the ball.
Craig Anderson, the executive director of the Illinois High School Association, understands the frustration.
The IHSA hitched its wagon in July to the governor’s office and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
What they say goes for when high school sports will be fully open again for business.
“I absolutely believe our hands are tied,” Anderson said of the IHSA. “I wonder daily, ‘Would we, could we, be playing?’
“You see what’s happening around us. States successfully competing. It’s rare that they’re getting games shut down, and if they are, it’s not from playing sports, it’s from outside of the competition.”
That’s why the push to begin a fall sports season is in full force. And it’s why the IHSA should be making the decisions.
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Last weekend, multiple Let Us Play rallies were held around the state, including one at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago that included former Bears center Olin Kreutz and football players from Lincoln-Way East, the reigning Class 8A state champion.
I applaud the student-athletes who took the stage and talked about the importance of green-lighting the fall sports season.
Those kids showed courage to stand up for what they believe is right in a peaceful, positive, powerful way.
More than one speaker talked about mental health struggles teenagers are suffering from without playing sports.
I can’t imagine being a teenager right now.
Some kids need football to stay off the streets and remain safe. Others need it for a chance to receive a college scholarship and earn a higher education.
It’s why Pritzker should have reversed course two weeks ago and announced the return of Friday Night Lights while adhering to guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
High school football should be back. Other states have been proven it can be done.
After not allowing football to be played, Michigan pulled a reverse and started its season last Friday.
Minnesota jumped on board Monday, making it the 40th state deciding to play football this fall.
Why can’t Illinois call an audible?
“Under no circumstances will I put Chicago or families at risk,” Pritzker said. “This is a pandemic and has life-changing impact on others.”
It does — if you’re not playing by guidelines set by the CDC or IDPH.
This weekend would have been Week 5, the midway point to the regular season in football.
If the governor stepped aside and let the IHSA start the football season today, it would take three weeks of practice before games could begin. We’re talking Week 8.
Some people have suggested extending the football season beyond the annual Thanksgiving weekend for state championships.
That would put us into December.
I’m game if you are.
Remember, the football, girls volleyball and boys soccer seasons aren’t canceled. They’re rescheduled from Feb. 16 to May 1 as long as Pritzker deems it safe.
Anderson confirmed we’re at a breaking point.
“I have a son who is a three-sport athlete and plays football,” he said. “I understand families are looking out for their sons and daughters. I understand they’re frustrated. We’re so far into the fall season does it make sense to even get something going at this point?”
Kids and coaches say, “Yes.”
It’s time for Pritzker to listen.