By Noah Haycock & Noah Reem
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writers
Ryan O’Connor had a lot to look forward to coming into 2020. The Easton High School quarterback was coming off a dazzling junior season, throwing for 2,336 yards and 28 touchdowns during the 10-game season. Even better, he had committed to the University of Delaware.
O’Connor’s senior season this fall was supposed to be another chance for him to show whey he’s a future college athlete — and a chance to lead his team to the playoffs.
But he never had that chance.
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended sports across the country, starting in spring and continuing this fall. Athletes at all levels have been forced to make tough choices about playing this season or, in the case of O’Connor, have had that choice made for them (Easton High School — like other schools in Maryland — didn’t play this fall).
“Even though I am committed [to Delaware], I would really like to play my last season of high school football,” O’Connor said.
Since March, many high school athletes like O’Connor have had to sit out this season, and many have come to accept their situation. It is the lack of consistency, however, that is perhaps the most heartbreaking factor for these athletes. Some high schools in some states are playing this fall. While others are not.
“Kids from Maryland have had to sit back and watch other states play high school sports for the past couple months,” O’Connor said. “It is extremely discouraging.”
The state of Maryland has been given the go-ahead from Gov. Larry Hogan, but most counties, including Talbot County, where Easton is located, have decided to cancel or postpone their fall sports seasons. Compare that to a state like Texas, which is playing high school football.
High school students are in a particularly precarious situation because they aren’t able to repeat years. They have four years — once it’s done, it’s done. Many athletes aren’t as skilled as O’Connor and don’t get the opportunity to play in college. That means for many seniors, there is unfinished business.
“For many kids, sports is an escape and one of the only things they look forward to,” O’Connor said, “and in some cases the sole thing they rely on to get them out of their current situations.”
College athletes have also had their seasons canceled in many places this fall. In spring, seasons were cut short. But the NCAA made sure that winter and spring athletes could play again next year without using an additional year of eligibility.
With basketball happening this winter, athletes have had to decide whether to play or not. The decision is in their hands — rather than the hands of conferences or the NCAA.
“In my perspective, I never even considered opting out,” said Towson University men’s basketball forward Charles Thompson said. “I knew from the get go that if there was a chance to play I was going to play because I simply, I just love playing the sport. So I was going to risk that chance of getting COVID just to play.”
Many other college athletes have made the decision that Thompson did to play. There are a lot of benefits and a lot of risks — most notably, infection. Some of those who opted out are doing so for health reasons, or because they want to enter the NBA or NFL draft and do not want to risk injury or health complications from COVID-19.
In professional sports, a significant number of athletes have opted out even though they have the most access to testing and the best medical care.
Some professionals have performed in a bubble, while others have played in home and visiting stadiums and arenas under COVID-19 restrictions.
It doesn’t take much thought to understand why there is a larger percentage of players opting-out in the pros than in college. Professionals have not only made it to the point that college players would like to be, but they’ve also been given the choice to compete or not. Simply put: They have less to prove.
The inconsistency with which high school and college sports have been handled has had a range of consequences, from depriving athletes of an opportunity to choose, to costing athletes roster spots. For now they wait in the wings, hoping for a change soon.
“Ever since we got out of school back in March one of the only things I’ve thought about is putting a uniform on and playing with my friends and teammates again,” O’Connor said. “Giving that up if or when I finally get a chance hasn’t ever crossed my mind.”