Some sad news was reported today by a new member of the Illinois football team.
Illinois tight end Luke Ford tweeted out on Wednesday afternoon that his waiver to be eligible to play immediately has been denied by the NCAA. This waiver would have enabled Ford to play football for the Illini this season due to a hardship. He transferred in from Georgia after the 2018 campaign.
I am going to lay it out for you. This isn’t about me wanting to see a top-tier tight end suit up for the Orange and Blue on Saturdays. It would be fantastic to see this season and, I am sure, we will see it in 2020. But I am not worried about that from a life perspective. This isn’t about football; this is about human decency and doing the right thing.
The NCAA tries to put on a front like they care about the student-athlete. They act like they are here for the student-athlete when it comes to the best choice for that particular person. That isn’t the case and the NCAA continues to make it clear they are out for themselves and their wallets.
My Waiver got denied... Thanks for all your support😔 It’s all in the Lord’s timing🙏🏽
— Luke Ford (@lukeford82) April 24, 2019
Illinois isn’t going to bring in the big television dollars. They aren’t an Ohio State who can draw viewers from all over the country. They aren’t a Miami (FL) who has a history of being a great football program in recent memory. These programs have received transfers recently and those players were eligible to play immediately. What is the big difference? The draw of the fan and the revenue those teams bring into the college game.
Honestly, I don’t care if I get to watch an amazing tight end on Saturdays. For me, it is just a sport and a game that brings me enjoyment. I wanted Ford to be eligible, not for me, but for him and his family. His family, who is dealing with illness right now, deserves to watch their kid and grandkid play without having to break the bank. That is what this is about.
The right thing to do here would have been to let Ford play in 2019. Let his parents and grandparents watch him thrive on the field. That would be the right thing to do. The NCAA did not do the right thing. I would hope there would be an appeal, and I would hope that appeal is heard and approved. NCAA, you need to step up and do the right thing. You have failed to do so thus far.