By Steve Raymond
The News Report
Are you ready for some football?
Some high school football?
Many coaches, players, parents and fans are – especially in this state.
And many of those same people are not happy Illinois is one of the few states that is not in the middle of its fall season on the gridiron.
In fact, they are prepared to let their voices be heard – and are hopeful Gov. J.B. Pritzker is listening.
A “Let Us Play” rally has been scheduled in two locations Saturday. One is set for 10 a.m. at the James A. Thompson Center in Chicago. Another will be at 1 p.m. in Springfield. It will be held near the Lincoln Statue at the State Capitol Building.
“We’re hoping to get all the sports playing again, plus things like band and dance,” Effingham football coach Brett Hefner said. “We’re the only state around not playing. And our positivity rate is lower than most all of them.”
When Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer flipped and allowed high school football to be played in her state, that really ignited some in the Land of Lincoln to begin speaking out in an attempt to get the Illinois governor and state health department officials to reconsider their decision about delaying football until the spring.
“I was on some Zoom meetings with coaches from Southern Illinois to the suburbs in Chicago,” Heffner noted. “The next thing I knew, there had already been a couple rallies in the Chicago area and the two scheduled this Saturday.”
Coach Hefner said special speakers have been lined up. That includes high school players and coaches, plus medical personnel and even some ex-NFL players.
“We believe we can keep these kids safe,” Hefner said. “We will follow all the rules. These kids are probably safer in practice than they are anywhere.”
Virtually every other Midwest state is playing football and other fall sports. A total of 33 states – more than 60 percent – are playing high school football, with the other 17 scheduled to play in the spring.
“It’s hard to understand some of the decisions that are being made,” Hefner admitted. “Look down the road at Marshall. They can’t play there, but just 10 miles away in Terre Haute, it’s safe to play. It’s the same thing just across the state line in Missouri. They can’t play in St. Louis County, but if you’re outside the county, it’s safe to play. It’s just hard to comprehend.”
Hefner believes there’s still time for fall sports to be played and include a post-season.
“It might mean starting winter and spring sports a little later, but this is what a lot of people are hopeful of,” the coach added. “We’re asking people to call, text or email their state representatives. It’s time these men and women know how we all feel.”
