Parents rallied outside the Ten Ten Conference headquarters in Rosemont, Illinois Friday, where they criticized the conference's decision to postpone fall sports.
Dorian Davis, the father of Menomonee Falls running back Julius Davis who now plays for the Badgers, says that his son's health was actually worse when he came home. He had contracted the coronavirus, Davis tells TMJ4.
"Yes, they got a decision. Let our kids have a decision," Dorian Davis says. "You know. It's just not fair. It really isn't. They all have a decision. They're 18. You're supporting him, but at the same token, you didn't give the Big Ten a chance. You know, and it's not just Wisconsin. It's the whole Big Ten. You didn't give these kids the opportunity to make a decision for themselves, you know and the parents, if they wanna do this, and not be liable, whatever the case may be."
Randy Wade is the father of Ohio State football player Shaun Wade, one of the organizers of the protest. In his opinion, there wasn't enough transparency. And the Big Ten shut the fall season down, too early.
"That's what every person in the world should do," Randy Wade says. "Should do whatever you can to help your kids achieve their dreams. You know what I'm saying? You can't do it for them. But if it's something they can't control? Or something we can't control? And you have a chance to put boots on ground to try to help it out? You gotta do that, I feel that."
Former Racine Horlick, Badgers and Eagles Super Bowl winner Chris Maragos says he feels sometimes athletes are healthier in their own bubble.
"Players are in a lot of ways safer in a college setting, where it's a controlled environment," Maragos says.
Tough questions. No easy solutions.