Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman on If Players Want to Play Football: YES

Donde Plowman, the chancellor at University of Tennessee-Knoxville, had a one-word answer to the question of whether the Vols’ players want to play football this season:

This group of student-athletes have worked hard to prepare for the season amidst detailed and strict healthy and safety protocols. I can’t wait to see them on the field in Neyland Stadium. pic.twitter.com/1vX7FV9IMO

— Donde Plowman (@DondePlowman) August 10, 2020

While SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said earlier that he does not know whether or not the SEC will play football this season but that it is too soon to make a proclamation either way, Plowman’s support here is notable. The reason for this is that in the Big Ten it’s the presidents and chancellors who are driving the discussion of imminently canceling the season. It is coaches and players who are pushing back.

Plowman isn’t necessarily a barometer for how the leaders of other SEC schools feel, but it’s a good sign for people who want the season to happen that she is on their side.