Northwestern football returned Friday from suspended workouts after learning a player experienced a false positive COVID-19 test.
The Wildcats called off workouts and quarantined 37 players after one player tested positive July 31. After multiple follow-up tests, coach Pat Fitzgerald told reporters Friday on a video conference that all players and staff tested negative and were cleared Wednesday.
“We’re still batting 1.000,” he said, noting the team hasn’t experienced a true positive result. “It shows our plan and the execution of our plan has been flawless.”
Fitzgerald said he’ll continue to follow the team’s medical advisers’ guidance when asked how Northwestern will handle player availability and quarantining for any future positives during the season. Several players quarantined during the season would surely lead to a canceled game.
“We felt like it was the right decision to start the week,” Fitzgerald said of quarantining players.
Fitzgerald said players were thrilled to learn Wednesday their subsequent tests were negative.
“If all you’re concerned about is health and safety, it’s pretty easy,” he added. “The feedback I’ve gotten from guys I’ve talked to, they feel great (about Northwestern’s protocols).”
Northwestern plans to test athletes “at least” twice per week, which meets the Big Ten testing standard.
Fitzgerald is reminding players to be cognizant of their actions away from workouts. He joked about frequently backing away from parents at his son’s travel baseball games and said he reminds players to wear masks and stay socially distanced, especially as more students return to campus.
“I’m really proud of our guys with the choices they’re making,” he said. “It’s not the four hours they’re in the building. It’s the other 20 hours. I think that’s the challenge for every college football player.”
The pandemic will determine the course of college football this season, he said.
“COVID is going to be the difference,” Fitzgerald said. “There’s going to be certain teams that stay healthy. There’s going to be certain teams that make great choices socially. There’s going to be certain team that puts the work in when no one is looking.”
Avoiding mental fatigue will be important before the Wildcats’ Sept. 5 opener at Penn State. Early “modified” practices are designed to be lighter and try to limit contact.
“We’re making sure we’re doing everything if and when we play so we’re mentally fresh, physically fresh, emotionally fresh and we’re ready to compete,” Fitzgerald said.
Nearly 100 college programs have announced at least one positive test, according to reports.
Six Big Ten football programs — Northwestern, Ohio State, Indiana, Michigan State, Rutgers and Maryland — have suspended activities at some point this summer.
Illinois announced last week it had 23 positive cases, including 18 football players, among 164 athletes with three remaining active cases, but the program said it felt comfortable enough with its contact tracing to avoid suspending workouts.
Illinois announced Thursday it will require daily tests among athletes who are in season.
