Bleacher Report · Apr 10, 2020
Ohio State AD Gene Smith Not Sure Playing Games Without Fans Makes Players Safe
Ohio State FootballMark Duncan/Associated Press
As sports leagues discuss the possibility of eventually playing games without fans in the stands because of the coronavirus pandemic, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith is concerned about how much safer that would actually make things for the athletes.
Speaking to reporters Friday, Smith addressed the possibility of potentially playing games without fans in the stands.
"I struggle with that concept," he said. "When I first heard that, I said, 'OK, that could work.' But I figured if we don't have fans in the stands, we've determined it's not safe for them in a gathering environment. So why would it be safe for the players?"
