Petition Started In Support Of Fall Football At Staples HS

WESTPORT, CT — A Change.org petition was started this week urging Westport public school officials to allow football this fall at Staples High School.

Launched by the Staples Gridiron Club, the petition outlines seven reasons football should be played this fall, such as the current low transmission rate of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Westport, and the potential disruption to spring sports if football is rescheduled.

The coronavirus pandemic led to the closure of schools and the cancellation of spring sports, but questions remain about safety for players, coaches and fans.

"This past week our student-athletes were notified that their already shortened fall football season would proceed as planned, only to be told a few days later that it was on hold and maybe postponed to the Spring or cancelled altogether," the petition states. "This decision is not only devastating to these young athletes, but may also affect other spring sports."

As of 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, the petition had garnered more than 860 signatures toward a goal of 1,000.

Last week the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference voted to play football in the fall, but then the organization called for a pause in sports practices and activities until Aug. 24 following recommendations from the state Department of Health.

Click here to view the petition.