Big Ten Football

Ohio State football players were required to sign a waiver upon returning to campus for voluntary workouts last week, according to Joey Kaufman of the Columbus Dispatch. 

The "Buckeye Pledge" reportedly asks athletes to "take responsibility for my own health and help stop the spread of the COVID-19."

The two-page document also included a disclaimer from the school:

"Although the university is following the coronavirus guidelines issued by the CDC and other experts to reduce the spread of infection, I can never be completely shielded from all risk of illness caused by COVID-19 or other infections."

The NCAA allowed schools to open campus for athletes on June 1, and Ohio State opened its doors for football players last Monday. Men's and women's basketball players can return next week, per Kaufman.

Ohio State has announced safety protocols for its athletes, including coronavirus testing when they return to campus. However, the school has declined to release the results of testing.

UCF announced last week three players tested positive for COVID-19 of the 60 athletes who were on campus.

The Buckeyes are asking players to disclose their own symptoms and remain home if they feel sick.

Fellow Big Ten school Indiana also had players and coaches sign a Commitment Pledge where they agreed to report any symptoms or exposure of COVID-19, according to Stefan Krajisnik of the Indy Star.

The coronavirus pandemic has already led to the deaths of more than 115,000 people in the United States, according to CNN.com. 

Iowa free safety Jack Koerner, who was injured in a boating accident on Friday night, confirmed Sunday that he was "going to be okay" and was in the process of recovering. 

Koerner tweeted the update:

According to Andrew Havranek of KY3.com, Koerner and another man, 21-year-old Cole Coffin, crashed into the side of a boat while riding a Sea-Doo on the Lake of the Ozarks. Both men suffered serious injuries in the crash and were transported to a local hospital. Iowa said in a press release that Koerner's injuries were not life threatening. 

The three passengers on the boat were not injured.  

According to Iowa's statement, Koerner "was at the Lake of the Ozarks with his father, Gary, for a father-son weekend along with other West Des Moines families."

Koerner was a walk-on in 2017 and became the team's starting free safety in 2019, registering 81 tackles, an interception, five passes defended, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. That earned him a scholarship heading into the 2020 spring semester. 

Iowa safety Jack Koerner was hospitalized after suffering injuries in a boating accident on Friday night. 

Per an official statement from Iowa (h/t Yahoo Sports' Cassandra Negley), Koerner suffered "non-life threatening injuries" in a "watercraft accident at Lake of the Ozarks on Friday, June 12 at approximately 6:30 p.m."

According to Andrew Havranek of KY3, Koerner was on a Seadoo jet ski with another person when it crashed into a boat. 

Havranek added that Koerner was listed as being in serious condition, but the extent of his injuries isn't known at this point. 

Koerner is entering his junior season with the Hawkeyes. The Iowa native was a walk-on in 2017 and redshirted his freshman year and played primarily on special teams in 2018. 

As a starting safety in 2019, Koerner finished second on the team with 81 total tackles and third with five pass breakups. Head coach Kirk Ferentz announced in November that Koerner had been awarded a scholarship.  

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz addressed the media Friday for the first time since allegations of racism were made against strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle. 

In his opening statement, Ferentz said it felt "like I let those players down by not creating that environment where they did feel comfortable."

Speaking to reporters, Ferentz noted the coaching staff "must be more inclusive and more aware" about what is going on. He also said the "coaching style by some was at times demeaning and created unnecessary anxiety and frustration" among players on the team. 

Many former Hawkeyes players, including James Daniels, Diauntae Morrow and Jaleel Johnson, spoke out on Twitter against Doyle and other members of the coaching staff for enabling his alleged behavior:

Morrow spoke with ESPN's Adam Rittenberg to expand on his history with Doyle: "We never felt welcome, most of us, anyway, whether they would openly say it or not openly say it. We would congregate after practice and just talk about how we felt the program was being ran, and how we felt alienated."

Ferentz addressed his "blind spot" as head coach: "I'm sure every person has a blind spot, every leader as a blind spot. The former players were very forthcoming, they were very direct in pointing out things that gave me a new awareness."

In an attempt to give players a forum to express themselves, Ferentz noted he pushed back the start time for practices earlier this week for open discussions.

“It was raw, it was powerful and productive," he said. "Everything was on the table. It got heated and emotional at times, which I think is good.”

Ferentz announced June 6 that Doyle has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of an independent investigation into the allegations made against him. 

Doyle, 51, has been with the Hawkeyes as strength and conditioning coach since Ferentz's first season with the program in 1999. 

Iowa linebacker Dillon Doyle announced his decision to enter the transfer portal Tuesday:

As Adam Rittenberg of ESPN noted, the player is the son of Hawkeyes strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle.

The older Doyle has been with the program for 21 years but was placed on administrative leave Saturday after allegations of racial discrimination from several former players.

The 51-year-old, who is the highest-paid strength coach in the country, denied the accusations.

"I am confident that a complete review of the body of work over 21 years will speak for itself and I am trusting the process to respect the rights and experiences of all parties involved," he said in a statement, per Rittenberg.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz provided a statement regarding the issue in a video Saturday:

Dillon Doyle had an opportunity to earn significant playing time in 2020 at linebacker after seeing action in all 13 games in 2019.

The former 247Sports 3-star recruit had 23 tackles as a redshirt freshman last season, adding one forced fumble. He was also named an Academic All-Big Ten player.

Jack Campbell could move up in the depth chart at linebacker with Doyle set to leave.

Iowa strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle issued a statement after he was placed on administrative leave amid allegations he made racist remarks toward players.

"I have been asked to remain silent, but that is impossible for me to do," Doyle wrote Sunday. "There have been statements made about my behavior that are not true. I do not claim to be perfect. I have made mistakes, learned lessons and like every American citizen, can do better. At no time have I ever crossed the line of unethical behavior or bias based on upon race. I do not make racist comments and I don't tolerate people who do."

On Friday, Chicago Bears offensive lineman James Daniels alluded to "too many racial disparities in the Iowa football program," which led to former players recounting some of their experiences:

Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson responded to say that "Coach Doyle is the problem in that building," to which Daniels agreed:

Iowa uploaded a video from head coach Kirk Ferentz, who said he saw the various posts on social media and that Doyle would be placed on leave pending an independent review:

Ferentz addressed the situation again Sunday.

"I want to thank former players who have had the courage to speak out about their experiences in our program," he said, per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg. "I'm very very sorry about any hardships they endured."

The Athletic's Nicole Auerbach shared more of Ferentz's comments: "Clearly there's not enough candid conversation or the players haven't felt safe enough to visit and give me feedback."

Doyle has served as the Hawkeyes' head strength and conditioning coach since 1999.

Chicago Bears guard James Daniels, who played college football at Iowa from 2015 through 2017, said Friday there are "too many racial disparities" within the Hawkeyes' football program.

Daniels' comments come amid nationwide protests in support of racial equality after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis Police custody May 25 and sparked other former Hawkeyes to support his stance.

"I remember whenever walking into the facility it would be difficult for black players to walk around the facility and be themselves," Tennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker wrote. "As if the way you grew up was the wrong way or wasn't acceptable and that you would be judged by that and it would impact playing time."

Former Iowa cornerback Marcel Joly thanked Daniels for raising the topic and provided his own experience.

"I remember when I used to wear my tank tops in the facility, I used to get called in the coach's office because I had too much tattoos and it wasn't the 'Iowa culture' or the 'Iowa Way," he wrote.

Other alumni, including linebacker Terrance Pryor and Faith Ekakitie, raised concerns about Hawkeyes strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle:

Doyle has since been placed on administrative leave and faces a review, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz announced, per Chad Leistikow of the Des Moines Register.

Another player, who wished to remain anonymous, told Tyler Devine of HawkFanatic.com the racial culture at Iowa played a "big part" in his decision to transfer.

Ferentz has led the program since December 1998.     

The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a video conference hearing Thursday titled "COVID-19: Going Back to College Safely" with representatives from several universities.

Purdue president Mitch Daniels stated his athletic program would "shut it down" if the coronavirus began spreading through one of the Boilermakers teams, in response to the following question from Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy:

USA Today's Steve Berkowitz reached out to Daniels for further comment and received a response from Purdue spokesman Tim Doty: 

"Like other universities, we do not yet have firm answers about the return of college athletics and the scenarios that may impede competition. What we do know is that we will prioritize safety and will follow the guidance of the Big Ten, NCAA and our medical advisory team to do our part to protect student-athletes, coaches, employees and fans."

The NCAA's Division I Council ruled May 20 to let voluntary basketball and football on-campus activities resume June 1. However, there is uncertainty among Big Ten programs as to when student-athletes will be permitted to work out on campus.

The 2020 college football season is scheduled to begin Aug. 29, and Daniels relayed Thursday that Purdue's plan is to allow no more than 25 percent of fans into its 57,000-seat Ross-Ade Stadium.

Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh took part in a protest against police brutality on Tuesday. 

Per Samuel Dodge of MLive.com, the march was organized by former Michigan walk-on Mahmoud Issa and went through the school's campus in downtown Ann Arbor. 

"They wanted to make sure they could help out to make sure their connection [to the march] was known," Issa said of the participation of community leaders and his family. "It led everyone to come out to help."

Harbaugh's march in the protest comes after he tweeted that justice needs to be "equal and fair for all":

Dodge noted a handful of Michigan football players and basketball player Isaiah Livers also attended the march. Ann Arbor Police Chief Michael Cox, Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton and Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor participated as well.

Issa explained he wanted to organize the march in an attempt to show solidarity between the government and citizens in calling for justice in the killing of George Floyd last week while in Minneapolis police custody.

Officer Derek Chauvin restrained Floyd by kneeling on his neck for nearly nine minutes while Floyd told officers he could not breathe.

Chauvin and three other arresting officers have been fired. Chauvin has since been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter by Minnesota state prosecutors. 

Ohio State wide receiver C.J. Saunders was arrested Monday for violating the curfew issued by Columbus, Ohio, Mayor Andrew Ginther, according to Eleven Warriors' Dan Hope. 

Like many other cities across the country, protests have taken place in Columbus following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Monday's curfew went into effect at 10 p.m. ET and ended at 6 a.m. Tuesday morning. Hope reported Saunders was walking near campus around 10:45 p.m. Monday when officers took him into custody.

Hope added that it was unclear whether Saunders was participating in any protests before he was arrested. He posted bond Tuesday and is set for an arraignment on a misdemeanor charge of violation curfew Thursday.

Ohio State Football shared a video in which Saunders and other Buckeyes players demanded change and an end to police brutality and systemic racism:

In the aftermath of Floyd's killing, people have taken to the streets to voice their grievances.

On May 25, four Minneapolis Police Department officers were responding to an alleged forgery in progress. They approached Floyd in his vehicle because he matched the description of the suspect.

Upon removing Floyd from the car, one officer, Derek Chauvin, was shown in a video kneeling on his neck. Chauvin remained in that position for nearly nine minutes despite Floyd saying he was struggling to breathe. Floyd died later at a local hospital.

The four officers from the encounter were fired, and prosecutors charged Chauvin with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.