NY Times Columnist (Who Else?) Praises UConn Football For Refusal To Play

Most college football programs marched on and made it through bowl season almost entirely unscathed, with nothing beyond the much-awaited national title game between Alabama and Ohio State left to be played.

Given the circumstances, college football's return was a riveting success overall.

Unless, of course, you ask Kurt Streeter of The New York Times (surprise, surprise). Streeter wrote that the University of Connecticut is the real national champion after determining "to squarely face the coronavirus and decide against playing a single snap during a raging pandemic."

Streeter went on to suggest that the only reason college football was played was the greed of the people in charge.

"The worst wafflers were the Pac-12 and the Big Ten, which lacked the fortitude to stand by their decision when they saw the other major conferences suiting up," he wrote. "They couldn’t resist the hundreds of millions in television revenue and the chance to reach the national title game, where Ohio State will represent the Big Ten."

Of course, he fails to mention the impact of just sitting around and waiting for the pandemic to end, while the athletes' eligibility went by the wayside and careers ended prematurely. He also ignores the fact that, after 18 weeks of football, disaster (or anything even close) has been avoided entirely.

Yes, COVID-19 is real and extra precautions should be taken, but it's interesting that Streeter addresses only college football. The NFL, NBA and MLB have also played. Some still are. The NHL starts later this month. College basketball is playing, as well.

It's almost as if Streeter just wants to find a way to praise Connecticut for going along with his soft stance on facing of adversity. UConn competes in the FBS (formerly Division I-A), and was one of just three programs to sit out the season, even at that level.

So welcome to the coronabro club, Kurt. Give that man a card.