Oregon high school football players have yet to take a snap during 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. It’s been a difficult year for students and parents who crave the competitive nature and community bond that comes along with football. Unfortunately, high school football still hangs in the balance for 2021 as teams wait to hear from Governor Kate Brown on specifics of play.
“We’re still hopeful,” said OSAA Executive Director Peter Weber, Tuesday morning on The FAN. “We believe that the Governor’s office and the OHA are working on a potential change to the contact sports guidance.”
Weber told us the OSAA has taken action to present alternative options for players eager to start training, before fall. “We wanted to make sure there were options for some kids, and their coaches for some level of engagement,” he said. “We’re not naïve. We understand 7-on-7 and flag football is not contact football, but we wanted to make sure there were options.”
He says these options do not signal an unwillingness by the OSAA to advocate for contact sports in fall of 2021. Committee members are just excited for players to participate in non-contact practice, this week. “We believe there is guidance that will come from the state in regards to contact sports,” Weber assured.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to infect communities around the country, data has become essential in deciding what activities are safe. “We’ve spoken with a number of other states about their experiences playing during the pandemic and we’ve been sharing that data with the OHA (Oregon Health Authority) and the Governor’s office,” he said. “We’re very hopeful we’ll be able to have football very soon.”
Check out our full interview with Peter Weber in the player above!