FSU coach Mike Norvell on medical team calling off Clemson game: 'We can't be reckless with this'
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Florida State-Clemson disagreement continued Monday.
FSU football coach Mike Norvell reiterated the Seminoles want to reschedule the game against Clemson.
He also emphatically denied the school used a Tigers’ player’s positive COVID-19 test as an excuse to postpone last Saturday’s game, only hours before the noon kickoff at Doak Campbell Stadium.
On Sunday, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney accused FSU of ducking the Tigers and using COVID as the excuse, saying, "To me, the Florida State administration forfeited the game."
Norvell said the decision to postpone the game was made by medical personnel. FSU officials were concerned about a potential spread of the virus.
"It was something that this decision was made by medical advisors, professionals that received the information Friday night from Clemson, and there was a concern," Norvell said.
"Football coaches are not doctors. Some of us might think we are, but there's a reason why medical advisers make decisions based on the information that is provided. It's unfortunate that opportunity has been delayed, but there's a reason people making those decisions have that responsibility."
More: Opinion: Don't blame Florida State for being cautious in calling off Clemson game
More: Clemson coach Dabo Swinney: No reason to change team's COVID-19 safety measures
Clemson had already arrived in Tallahassee Friday when it was informed a backup offensive lineman had tested positive for COVID-19. The player was reportedly symptomatic during the week and had practiced with the team.
Norvell was told of the decision to cancel the game Saturday morning.
Per ACC regulations, teams are tested for COVID-19 three times each week. The last of those tests before a Saturday game is administered by a third-party company Friday.
Swinney said it followed ACC protocol and the league agreed, but he blamed the Seminoles for the decision not to play. When asked if the player shouldn't have traveled with the team, Swinney took offense.
“So now we’re changing the rules?” Swinney said.
“You either trust the test or you don’t. So now if the test is negative, we’re going to tell guys they can’t play anyway? That’s why we test. If a guy has an earache or a runny nose and he tests negative all week, we’re going to say, ‘Well, we don’t take you?'"
Norvell said the protocols in place to keep players safe.
"Every player, every coach, there was an excitement about the week that led up to the game and the opportunity that was in front of us," Norvell said. "And that’s something that, as a coach, we continue to do everything in our power to make sure the health and well-being of our players and helping them stay safe through this year and process, I can tell you that some of the sacrifices that our guys have had to make, it’s been remarkable."
Norvell and FSU’s administrators would like to see the game rescheduled for Dec.12, a common bye week. Clemson will likely be playing in the ACC title game on Dec. 19.
Clemson Athletics Director Dan Radakovich spoke on the ACC Network’s Packer and Durham show Monday morning and did not commit to making a return trip to Tallahassee. He also cited the cost, saying Clemson spent $300,000 on its initial trip.
“We will very soon look at how that game or if that game is rescheduled,” Radakovich said. “And where that game is rescheduled to. Going back down to Tallahassee, while I wouldn’t rule it out we will have to have a conversation about finances and timing associated with that because we were there.
"We felt like we met our burden to go down and be there and be ready to play. If there are opportunities down the road for us to be able to do that we’ll certainly look at them but we’ve got make sure that we take care of the finances associated with it as well.”
Norvell said the Seminoles, who meet Virginia at 8 p.m. Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium, are excited to play Clemson. The first-year coach added, "I know that there’s a lot of things being said when it comes to financial, and if contributions need to be made, then I’ll sign up to make one."
Earlier this season, Norvell tested positive for COVID-19 during FSU's bye week. Norvell missed FSU's 52-10 loss to Miami on Sept. 26.
Norvell said having COVID gave him a unique perspective on the responsibility of not just himself but also the FSU coaches to protect the players who could potentially contract the virus.
"We know it is a highly transmitted virus that you have to extremely careful with," Norvell said. "I do believe that we have adhered to a very strict protocol, and we understand it is our obligation to our players and to their families, and we sit there that we are going to do everything in our power to keep them safe. We cannot be careless with this.
"We can't be reckless with this. This is the first time any of us have ever experienced it. No matter what your personal feeling or beliefs might be, this virus, it is real. We gotta live up to our end of the bargain and be leaders of the team and for these individuals."