Northwestern University tweeted support for one of their football alumni who’s participated in the protests over George Floyd’s death in police custody.
Ifeadi Odenigbo played for the Wildcats from 2012-2016 and finished his four years there with 23.5 sacks.
Odenigbo now plays in Minneapolis-- where these protests began-- for the Minnesota Vikings.
Besides getting out and marching with protestors, Odenigbo has been active on Twitter retweeting posts related to the unrest, including a message from his former coach Pat Fitzgerald.
Odenigbo is the first person in his family to be born in the United States. His parents immigrated here from Nigeria.
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The Big Ten announced on Thursday that they will not play any non-conference games this fall, if they’re able to play at all.
The move comes after the Ivy League cancelled all fall sports earlier in the week.
In the statement the Big Ten said, “By limiting competition to other Big Ten institutions, the Conference will have the greatest flexibility to adjust its own operations throughout the season and make quick decisions in real-time based on the most current evolving medical advice and the fluid nature of the pandemic.
“In addition, the Conference announced that summer athletic activities will continue to be voluntary in all sports currently permitted to engage in such activities. Furthermore, Big Ten student-athletes who choose not to participate in intercollegiate athletics at any time during the summer and/or the 2020-21 academic year due to concerns about COVID-19 will continue to have their scholarship honored by their institution and will remain in good standing with their team.”
The Big Ten also said they’re prepared to cancel their fall sports entirely, if needed to ensure the health and safety of student-athletes.
This all leads to more questions as to how the Big Ten schedule will ultimately take shape. For instance, the first three games on the University of Illinois’s schedule are all non-conference games. Will more in-conference games be scheduled to replace them, or will the Fighting Illini simply begin their season on Oct. 3 with their first conference game against Rutgers?
All of that remains to be seen, as the conference said more details regarding the conference-only schedule will be released later.
RELATED: Northwestern football will not host Wisconsin Badgers at Wrigley Field
Northwestern football will no longer host their game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Wrigley Field. The university announced the decision on Wednesday.
The Wildcats were supposed to play the Badgers at the Friendly Confines on Nov. 7. Although the university didn’t officially announce it, team's website says the game will be played at Ryan Field.
“This is a disappointing conclusion to reach, but absolutely the right one in our current environment,” said Jim Phillips, Northwestern’s Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation. “The uncertainty of football and baseball schedules, and the possibility of limited attendance, made this an easy choice to make for our student-athletes and fans.
“We’re grateful for our outstanding partners from the Cubs, and look forward to bringing the passion and pageantry of college football gameday to the city’s north side when we can do so safely and securely with a packed house.”
Northwestern initially brought college football back to Wrigley in 2010. Previously the last college football game at Wrigley was played in 1938. Since then, Northwestern has hosted both lacrosse and baseball games at Clark and Addison.
The university is still on track to kick off their season on Sept. 5 at Michigan State.
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