Say what you will about the health risks and concerns that will be brought on by the Big Ten’s decision to backtrack on its postponement of the football season, but it’s hard to deny the fact that most student-athletes are happy to be playing.
Sports often becomes a huge part of how an athlete identifies themself, and losing that can be extremely challenging. Now imagine that not only is a large portion of your external happiness tied up in an individual sports season, but that lone season can complete change your career path, your family’s financial status and maybe even your lasting legacy.