West Virginia president, 76, says football will return — even if he has to play
It seems clear that West Virginia president E. Gordon Gee is eager for the return of football.
Gee, 76, is even willing to do something about it.
In an interview with WOWK-TV in Huntington, West Virginia, Gee joked that he’d play if it meant the sport could return.
Gee said this when asked by the station what he’s heard about the possibility of the Mountaineers playing this fall as the nation considers ways to open up during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are going to play football in the fall,” Gee said. I really do believe that, even if I have to suit up — and I’ve got my ankles taped, I’m ready to go in.”
Gee was kidding, but his zeal for the sport is clear. And when football returns, Gee said it will be done with the proper precautions.
“We’re going to do it based on what is safe, what is healthy for our fans, what is healthy for our student-athletes,” Gee said. “But I do believe that we will play football.”
Gee told WOWK the return of football will be good for the nation’s psyche.
“And by the way, I’ll just saying from another point of view, this country needs to move from being shutdown to having an ability to be able to get back into hope and opportunity and certainly athletics provides great hope and great synergy to people,” Gee said.
This story was originally published May 15, 2020 at 11:42 AM with the headline "West Virginia president, 76, says football will return — even if he has to play."
