Notre Dame Wants to Play Football & Ready for Covid-19 Challenges

Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly and defensive end Daelin Hayes joined the TODAY Show on NBC on Wednesday morning as the Fighting Irish are set to begin practice later today. 

Kelly admitted it won't be easy to play a 2020 season, but there is a great trust in the medical information they've been presented.

"I don't think anybody is disagreeing with the challenges that are out there," Kelly stated. "We believe we have some of the best that are advising us - and taking enhanced medical procedures as long as we have a committed group, our student-athletes have been committed since day one - since we started these procedures and protocols. We have tested. Our guys have done an incredible job since they've come back to campus. Our success rate is over 99 percent. They've done a good job when the students have come back and we've been in the 99 percent success rate."

Notre Dame has passed every hurdle to date and it's due to the singular focus from the entire program. Kelly and Notre Dame will continue to lean on its medical experts to make the best decision for the players and staff.

"There are medical experts that we certainly are relying on in this very challenging environment," explained Kelly. "We have enhanced medical care and we're very intentional in what we're doing. We believe we can play safely and care for everybody, including our staff. This isn't just about our players. I have over 50 staff members that are put in this situation as well." 

Players at other schools have expressed concerns over protocols and procedures, but Hayes was bold in his statements as he felt Notre Dame was doing everything it could to keep the team safe. 

"The first thing like Coach Kelly said, we're under constant supervision," Hayes said. "We have continuous daily wellness checks and we get tested weekly. We're always in a position where if we feel discomfort or if we're not comfortable in our situation, we can always seek help or information. They've been very transparent. 

"We feel comfortable. We feel confident we can play a season working in tandem with our coaches and medical staff." 

The fifth-year senior also made sure to put the responsibility on himself and his peers to make the right decisions so they can play.

“Ultimately, it comes down to the players and their decisions every day," stated Hayes. "Having the incentive to play and have the discipline it requires to be on a team and make the right decisions outside of our bubble, it will honestly fare well for us." 

Hayes might have a little more incentive to play in 2020 because his career is winding down, but the Michigan native is aware there is risk in everything he does.

"Unfortunately, I feel you're just as at risk anywhere right now," said Hayes. "Whether it be going to the grocery store, going out to eat, unfortunately, that's just the reality of our situation. I'd rather take that risk paying the game I love and fighting for my career once I leave Notre Dame. I think a lot of guys feel that way. I think a lot of people have expressed that sentiment, especially players across the country in their last or junior year. That's really all I have to say about it." 

Kelly echoed Hayes' statements and made it known coaches and programs need to be accountable if there is a season. 

"We're testing weekly," Kelly explained. "We know who is in our bubble and who to trust, but certainly, when you're in contact, there is no other way to look at it. Everybody is in contact. We understand that we must trust each other. That's why this is a unique situation where you are putting yourself in a position where you trust the guy next to you. 

"That's why testing is so important in this process. There has to be transparency with the other teams you're playing across the board that when you line up against them, you know they are following through with the same testing procedures."

Notre Dame might play or might not play in 2020, but there is no question the program has led the country in being committed to playing while keeping its players best interests in mind. 

"I think we said it at the outset," said Kelly. "This is a difficult process, but it's one we're committed to and one our players are committed to. Enhanced testing has got to be part of this procedure as well."