Whitmer: Mask order applies to Big Ten, but may be changed

Posted September 17, 2020 7:00 am

By DAVID EGGERT

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Michigan State wide receiver Julian Barnett (2) makes a catch in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (AP Photo/Tony Ding) The Associated Press

LANSING, Mich (AP) - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office said Thursday her requirement that athletes wear masks applies to Big Ten football in Michigan, but a face shield will suffice for players and the administration is open to potentially changing the order.

Her office said it will talk to the conference about the mandate, which covers organized sports in which athletes cannot keep distance 'œexcept for occasional and fleeting moments.'ť The state measure exempts professional sports and amateur sports like tennis, golf, cross country, baseball and softball.

The Big Ten announced Wednesday it plans to open its football season the weekend of Oct. 23-24, reversing a decision to push fall sports to the spring in the name of player safety during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Democratic governor's order covers both training and competition.

Mark Totten, Whitmer's chief legal counsel, said pro athletes do not face the mask requirement because of their sports' 'œvery rigorous protocols.'ť

Asked if the order could be revised before Big Ten football starts, he told The Associated Press: 'œThis development just came yesterday from the Big Ten. I think we're certainly open to having conversations."

Whitmer spokeswoman Tiffany Brown later said the state reached out to the conference 'œto discuss further as it may be fitting to treat the Big Ten more like professional sports - as they are very stringent and there are clear rules and guidance in place.'ť

The Big Ten is banking on daily testing to mitigate the risk of outbreaks. The Big Ten will begin daily antigen testing of all fall sports athletes, coaches and staff Sept. 30.

University of Michigan athletics spokesman Dave Ablauf said the Wolverines have been following the order.

'œWe have players that wear both face shields, the upper and new lower shield, as well as masks/neck gators during practice,'ť he said. 'œAll of our coaches, staff and practice personnel wear masks/gators during practice.'ť

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AP Sports Writer Noah Trister in Ann Arbor contributed to this report.

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Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00

FILE - In this July 19, 2019, file photo, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh responds to a question during the Big Ten Conference NCAA college football media days in Chicago. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, file photo, Mel Tucker, Michigan State's new football coach, speaks during an introductory news conference in East Lansing, Mich. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all.Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020 file photo provided by the Michigan Office of the Governor, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses the state during a speech in Lansing, Mich. Gov. Whitmer's office said Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, her requirement that athletes wear masks applies to Big Ten football in Michigan, but a face shield will suffice for players and the administration is open to potentially changing the order. (Michigan Office of the Governor via AP, File) The Associated Press

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