Jacksonville, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis met with state leaders and former pro athletes at the University of North Florida Thursday afternoon to hear their thoughts on youth sports.
“The message I think is sports for these young kids is really an important part of their life, you know coaches, parents, this is significant stuff and so the governor’s office we’re 100% supportive of getting the kids back into competition obviously you do it with care and safety,” said Desantis.
Alongside Governor Desantis, Florida Department of Education Secretary Richard Corcoran, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny curry, retired professional basketball player Charlie Ward and longtime Philadelphia Eagles corner Lito Sheppard all agreed sports should happen.
“I’m definitely an advocate for it and am here to hopefully come up with some creative ways to continue to do so,” said Sheppard.
But 7-year-old Janathan Woods think differently.
“I don’t think having sports is necessarily a bad thing during COVID but at the same time I don’t think it is particularly a good idea though,” said Woods.
DeSantis called the extracurricular activities “critical” for maintaining discipline and achieving college scholarships.
Without them, he said, students will face huge effects.
“We’re very resourceful people to just say the lights are going to go off on the football field or the volleyball court is going to be shut down, that’s not an option here,” DeSantis explained.
Woods says parents should have the freedom to make decisions about their child's education.
“Being in sports for me was like an outlet, if I was ever to have a bad day being with my teammates prepared everything mentally for me,” said Woods.
Mayor Lenny Curry said he expects youth sports in Duval County to start up again later this month. The governor also added that he is hoping to make the Florida – Florida state game happen this year despite COVID-19.