Washington State has reportedly released multiple players from the team who shared the “WeAreUnited” message.
Several PAC-12 football players threatened to boycott the football season if their list of demands weren’t met. Some of the demands included coaches taking pay cuts. (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
Well, Washington State football coach Nick Rolovich has reportedly released players who were a part of the movement.
According to Theo Lawson, “multiple” Cougars were “released from the team” after sharing the “WeAreUnited” message. The whole situation so far seems to revolve around Kassidy Woods choosing to opt out.
Am told multiple other #WSU players who shared the “#WeAreUnited” graphics have been released from the team, as well. https://t.co/OA0Hg3aroo
— Theo Lawson (@TheoLawson_SR) August 2, 2020
I just got off the phone with John Woods, the father of #WSU WR Kassidy Woods, who says Kassidy was told to clean out his locker tomorrow. Woods is technically still on scholarship, but was “released” from the team yesterday, his father says.
— Theo Lawson (@TheoLawson_SR) August 2, 2020
I’ve spoken to Kassidy Woods on the phone about his decision to opt out. #WSU coach Nick Rolovich said, according to Woods, (paraphrased) “There’s one way we’ll handle it if it’s COVID-related, then there’s one way we’re going to handle it if it’s joining this group.”
— Theo Lawson (@TheoLawson_SR) August 3, 2020
George Wrighster reported that he heard five players from the “WeAreUnited” movement had been removed from the team.
I have talked to multiple Pac-12 players who have said 5 Washington State football players have been kicked off the football team for supporting. #WeAreUnited
This is going to be a nasty fight but the players seem strong and committed.
— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) August 2, 2020
According to Pete Thamel, players who opt out of the upcoming season — whether they’re a part of the boycott threat or not — will still remain on scholarship.
The situation at Washington State boils down to this: Players who’ve requested to opt out of the season can’t take part in any team activities. You can’t choose to opt out for health and safety reasons and still lift, practice and be in locker room/weight room.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 2, 2020
Players’ scholarships at WSU will be honored and they’ll remain on the roster.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 2, 2020
To be clear, this all seems like it’s a bit of semantics. Woods’ father is saying that his son was “released” and the school’s stance is that players opting out can’t be around the team.
If you’re not a part of the team and you’re sitting out during the coronavirus pandemic, then you shouldn’t be near the team.
You can’t have a player coming around who isn’t being monitored with the rest of the team. That’s a recipe for disaster.
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At the same time, coaches need to drop the hammer on this boycott threat from PAC-12 football players. If players want to boycott, then tell them to get the hell out.
They’ll be replaced in a heartbeat. There are tons of players who would love a shot to play major FBS football.
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If players are opting out for health reasons, that’s fine. If they’re trying to dictate the way things will operate as part of this movement, then they need to be removed ASAP. You can’t have players like that around your program. It’s that simple.