‘No pressure’: How individual choice plays a role during Georgia’s voluntary workouts
Georgia football players might envision themselves as one of the Avengers, unfazed by the impact of COVID-19 that has swept the country. But Kirby Smart assures that his players don’t have Iron Man’s flying armor or Captain America’s vibranium shield that might allow the Bulldogs to resume activity as if a pandemic didn’t exist.
A priority on safety gives the word “voluntary” a true meaning inside Georgia’s athletic facilities. Once athletes are permitted to return to campuses on June 8 for workouts — with extensive guidance from the SEC and medical officials — there won’t be a forceful push into resuming football activity.
“There won’t be pressure to go workout or do something extra,” Smart told local reporters on a Zoom video call Thursday in his first public comments since March 30. “The kid has to voluntarily do it. If a guy doesn’t feel comfortable, has a fever or is sick, we don’t want them to come in. We don’t want them to put themselves in jeopardy.”
Georgia coaches have had eight hours of virtual instruction time with their players over recent weeks. While some time has been used for various football tasks, most of the allotted interaction has turned into a medical briefing and teaching period on appropriate measures during the pandemic.
Georgia’s senior director of sports medicine, Ron Courson, has spoken with the players and their parents on making a decision on whether to return. Smart expects all of his players to participate in workouts, but hasn’t yet identified a concrete number of participants. (Football rosters are typically upwards of 100 players.)
Courson and the Bulldogs’ staff have set a series of guidelines that those attending voluntary workouts must follow. Smart said that players will need to return to Athens prior to June 8 in order for the process to begin.
Each player will undergo an extensive physical.
Each player will undergo a COVID-19 test once arriving on campus.
Each player will undergo a screening process which involves conversation with Georgia’s medical professionals on previous travel, pre-existing health conditions or previous illness.
If a player tests positive for the coronavirus, Georgia will allow the option for the player to return home. The team is also developing a quarantine policy for someone who tests positive and plans to stay in Athens.
A contact tracing method will be in place. If a player in a certain workout group tests positive, Georgia will keep the same group of players together in order to limit the spread.
The facilities will undergo an extensive cleaning period each day.
Georgia will begin with a reduced volume of exercise. A modified rest-work ratio will gradually increase in order for the student-athlete to acclimate to heat and exercise tolerance.
According to the Georgia Department of Health, there are 259 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Thursday morning. The University of Georgia’s health center reported 37 cases within the “university community” as of May 26.
“The more this thing has gone, the more people begin to relax and say ‘This won’t affect me,’” Smart said. “The last thing we need, if people want to have any athletic season, is to have a flare-up. We’re going to educate our players, because I promise you that there are players who don’t feel vulnerable.”
All of Georgia’s players have been following voluntary workout plans and exercising from remote locations over several weeks. The state has gradually re-opened gyms, some players are using local high school football fields or even conjuring exercise periods in their backyards.
Smart used his parent’s perspective to weigh the two scenarios, and would prefer to have a regulated and professionally-cleaned environment if it were his son or daughter. Georgia players have a similar perspective, too.
“They’re much more comfortable saying ‘If I’m going to work out, then I’m going to do it (on campus),’” Smart said. “If they don’t feel like working out, that’s their choice and something they get to make on an individual basis. That pressure wouldn’t be put on any kid if they’re not ready to return yet.”
A cloud of uncertainty still looms as Georgia is scheduled to kick off its season on Sept. 7 against Virginia under Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s bright lights. None of the coaches or players know whether the schedule remains intact, or if taking a first step toward resumption of competition can be successful.
Smart still has plenty of curiosities cross his mind daily: Will activity eventually be required? Can the scope of permissible workouts be expanded? Will he be allowed to host recruits for on-campus visits in the near future?
None of those questions have closure, but the June period could dictate what occurs in July. That pattern ultimately leads to September.
For now, safety rises above football for Georgia. Smart is eager to host workouts, but the term “voluntary” truly gives each player his own choice.
“If you had told me about (the rapid state of change) 2-to-3 months ago, there probably would’ve been a greater level of frustration,” Smart said. “Now, I’m at peace with it and understand it. The changes are inevitable.”
This story was originally published May 28, 2020 at 12:53 PM.