Chicago City Wire

When discussing Gov. J.B. Pritzker's restrictions on high school sporting events this year due to COVID-19, a former GOP candidate in Illinois' 7th Congressional District was reminded of an historic, politically driven sports boycott.

“Add one more piece of dreck to the ash heap of history creatively compiled by the Democratic Party,” Dr. Jeff Leef told Chicago City Wire. “Though not quite as devastating for American youths as President Jimmy Carter's decision to boycott the 1980 Summer Olympics, Gov. 'Fredo' Pritzker's decision to ban high school athletes from competing is an equally disturbing empty gesture.”

Leef is hardly alone in striking out against the governor over what he sees as a one-man demolition squad. A group of coaches, parents and student athletes are planning to make their voices heard during a “Let Us Play” rally scheduled for outside the State Capitol in Springfield at 1 p.m. Saturday. 

A similar rally is also slated for the James A. Thompson Center in Chicago beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday.

“Not unlike Carter's attempt to save face after the Soviet Union failed to comply with Carter's request to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, Pritzker's decision to halt high school sports is just as politically motivated and impotent,” Leef said. “Clearly, in between trying to avoid the feds for his 'Great Toilet Caper,' Gov. 'Fredo' is trying to overcompensate for his incompetent initial response to the COVID outbreak.”

Organizers of the Let Us Play movement have wasted little time in pointing out that every other state within a stone’s throw of Illinois is playing football this fall. Based on the restrictions the governor outlined back in late July, only golf, girls tennis, cross-country and girls swimming and diving are currently underway in Illinois. Football and boys soccer are not scheduled to start until February.

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) sent a letter to the governor asking that the IHSA be allowed “to resume control over determining the resumption of IHSA sports and activities.” Currently, the two sides are allowing teams across Illinois to practice this month under specific COVID-19 guidelines. 

The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system is not a part of that agreement, making the prospect of CPS allowing fall sports even more improbable even if Pritzker has a change of heart.

“Following the political leanings of African Americans, American Jews, women and Catholics, today's youths align themselves with the very party that consistently hurts them the most,” Leef said.