Penn State’s James Franklin shares video asking Nittany Nation to stay safe during coronavirus
James Franklin expressed his sincere concern earlier this week over COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and he followed that up Saturday afternoon with a public-service announcement of sorts.
Penn State’s head football coach appeared alongside his two daughters in a 41-second video posted on Twitter that reminded Nittany Nation to stay safe and take the global pandemic seriously.
A transcript of the video is below:
Franklin: We are in an unprecedented and trying time in our nation. We just wanted to take a moment to share a brief message with you, as we fight this global pandemic. First and foremost, thank you to all the health care workers who continue to serve our communities without fail. Secondly, please be sure to follow the local, state and federal guidelines set forth to battle this virus.
While we are all disappointed to have to press pause on the sporting world, we know it’s the right choice. When the time comes, we’ll come back strong and better than ever. We look forward to the next time we see you in Beaver Stadium.
Shola Franklin: Remember to wash your hands regularly and thoroughly.
Addy Franklin: Stay safe, Nittany Nation.
Franklin: We are ...
All: Penn State.
Franklin spoke with reporters on a face-to-face conference call Wednesday, while describing being holed up in a condo outside of Happy Valley. He expressed concern over his youngest daughter, Addy, who’s at greater risk of complications — should she contract COVID-19 — because of her auto-immune disorder, sickle cell anemia.
He said he was trying to stay inside as much as possible. And he hoped others would also take the necessary precautions.
“I’m not a politician,” Franklin said earlier this week. “But there’s part of me that would just like to lock the whole country down, all of it, because I think the quicker we do that, the sooner we can come out of this thing.”
The Big Ten has suspended all “organized team activities,” including practices, until at least May 6. All spring games, in all Big Ten college sports, have already been canceled.
This story was originally published March 28, 2020 at 1:45 PM.
