Arizona State and Cal canceled, Edwards tests positive for COVID-19

Multiple reports came out on Friday morning that Arizona State’s game against Cal was canceled. The university confirmed the reports shortly after with a statement from Athletic Director Ray Anderson and Head Coach Herm Edwards.

“We have had to invoke the Pac-12’s football game cancellation policy for this week’s game. The cancellation of a game is very difficult to accept for all of us, but it is the right decision under the circumstances,” Anderson said. “In every case we continue to consider the health, safety and welfare of out student-athletes as our number one priority. ”I feel for our student-athletes and everyone associated with Sun Devil Athletics, as well as Sun Devil Nation. This also has an impact on the University of California football program and we extend our appreciation for their understanding of the situation. ”In the past few days our test results included a number of positive cases, including multiple student-athletes and coaching staff members, one of which is Head Coach Herm Edwards.

This put our team below the Pac-12’s minimum threshold of 53 available scholarship student-athletes under the league’s game cancellation policy. After consultation with our medical advisors and Coach Edwards, we immediately began a conversation with the Pac-12 office and California Athletics Director Jim Knowlton to make them aware of the situation. ”We are continuing to take every precaution to safeguard the health and welfare of our student-athletes and staff, in accordance with the Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee’s procedures. Those with positive test results and those in contact tracing protocols are in isolation and receiving the appropriate medical care. ”We will continue to monitor our testing results and stay in close communication with our University, local public health officials and the Pac-12 Conference.”

As from the statement, Edwards was one of the positive tests. At the beginning of the week, the game was in jeopardy because an issue with Cal that had postponed its Week 1 contest. The Golden Bears’ situation started to clear up, the Sun Devils issues started. Arizona State missed practice on Thursday, thus once again putting the game at jeopardy.

Edwards appears to be in good spirits and gave this statement.

“First, I want to say that Lia, the girls and I are fine and I will be back quicker than you can say ‘Forks Up!’ Second, even with the marvelous care our medical professionals have provided for myself, my staff and my team over the past few months the virus still found me. So, I encourage all of you to take this virus seriously, to wear a mask, practice physical distancing and get tested whenever possible.

“As I’ve stated many times over, the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes is absolutely paramount and we will not put them at risk. Our team has worked extremely hard to get to this point, and even played a game last weekend. We will continue to care for our students-athletes and follow all protocols very thoroughly as we prepare for our next game. Our team and coaching staff are disappointed, but we do understand what we are dealing with.”

Further reports say that Cal might find another opponent for this weekend. While Arizona State will now try to field a team and recover for its scheduled game next week at Colorado.