First in Nation: UCONN Cancels 2020 College Football Season

Once again, news is breaking in Connecticut about how we are leading the nation in a particular category involving the coronavirus. It was just announced on ESPN.com that the University of Connecticut has officially announced the cancellation of their football team's upcoming 2020 season. They've just become the first NCAA FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision - Formerly known as Division 1-A) school to cancel their 2020 season due to the coronavirus.

According to ESPN, UConn Athletic Director David Benedict said in a press release "After receiving guidance from state and public health officials and consulting with football student-athletes, we've decided that we will not compete on the gridiron this season. The safety challenges created by COVID-19 place our football student-athletes at an unacceptable level of risk."

UConn Football Head Coach Randy Edsall also weighed in "We engaged and listened to the concerns of our football student-athletes and feel this is the best decision for their health, safety, and well-being. Our team is united in this approach and we will use this time to further player development within the program and gear ourselves to the 2021 season" Edsall also stated that he spoke with his players before the University's cancellation decision was made.

Benedict continued "Ultimately, the student-athletes would rather preserve their year of eligibility with an eye to competing under more typical circumstances during the 2021 season."

University officials also made it a point in their release to state that no student-athletes have tested positive since early July.

The 2019 UConn football season was a rough one in many ways, it was their last year as an official member of the AAC, and they posted a 2-10 record. They will re-enter the Big East conference when, and if, they resume play.