In this week’s review, the boys of summer will get to play this summer. Two of Ohio’s most notable sporting events have been cancelled. Plus, a former and current Cincinnati sports team owner make headlines.

A busy week in Reds Country

Last week was a busy one for Major League Baseball. Coming to terms on a 60 game season that will start on July 23rd. Teams will have a brief training camp starting this Wednesday. The Cincinnati Reds’ camp will be split between Cincinnati and Mason, OH. They set their 60 man roster for camp before Monday afternoon’s deadline. Beyond this, the Cincinnati Reds signed first round draft pick Austin Hendrick to a $4 Million deal. While minor league pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez got suspended for a positive PED test.

No Flying Pig Marathon or Hall of Fame Game this year

Two Ohio sporting events were cancelled last week. Last Friday, the 2020 Flying Pig Marathon was cancelled. The race was originally scheduled to take place on May 3rd. It was moved to October due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game was also cancelled. The NFL Preseason opener was due to take place on August 6th in Canton, OH. This year’s Hall of Fame’s enshrinement is being postponed until 2021.

The Flying Pig’s decision came hours after another marathon’s cancellation. This year’s New York Marathon was cancelled last Wednesday. Both cancellations are understandable given the nature of marathons. They bring together throngs of runners and spectators from various places. Having a traditional marathon in this year of COVID-19 seems difficult to pull off.

Organizers plan for a Kentucky Derby with live spectators 

While the Flying Pig won’t take place this year; another event traditionally held on the first weekend of May is going forward. Organizers are planning to have September’s Kentucky Derby take place with spectators. Capacity at Louisville’s Churchill Downs will be limited. Spectators will be encouraged to wear face masks. Along with practicing social distancing and washing hands frequently.

UC approves Marge Schott Stadium name change

The University of Cincinnati is removing Marge Schott’s name from their baseball stadium. After public pressure and a petition from current and former players to do so. Schott was the former owner of the Cincinnati Reds; she drew controversy for racist statements she made during her ownership tenure. Last week’s decision came through a unanimous vote by UC’s Board of Trustees. The board also voted to remove Schott’s name from a part of their archive library.

Mike Brown and the national anthem protests

While a former Reds owner made headlines last week. A story about current Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown made waves too. Through a WLWT report about how the Bengals approached NFL national anthem protests. Brown reportedly begged the team not to kneel during the anthem. During an emergency team meeting before their Week 3 game in 2017. Brown made the request fearing fans negative reactions to protests. Ultimately, the team locked arms with each other that week but no Bengals knelt.

Ultimately, the details brought to light by this report aren’t completely surprising. Though it’s the first time we have a clear sense of how Brown approached the matter. It’s worth it to remember the circumstances the Bengals were dealing with. That particular weekend, the anthem protests roared back into the headlines. When President Trump called for owners to fire players kneeling during the anthem. Angering many players and putting the NFL in an awkward position. In response, players throughout the league knelt or protested in some way.

Add onto that, the way the Bengals season was going. The team lost their first two games of the season. Plus, there were divided opinions about the anthem protests among Bengals players. They play in a state and are surrounded by states that President Trump won in 2016. Plus, many fans weren’t as supportive of the protests then compared to now. All of that combined put Brown and the Bengals in a rough spot. Making Brown’s and the Bengals actions understandable in hindsight.