Mark Richt blasted critics who questioned the Hurricanes’ motivation for cancelling their game against Arkansas State due to concerns about Hurricane Irma.
While Richt did not address any specific critic, it seems like he was responding to former Washington/UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel, who on ESPNU Radio questioned Miami’s decision to cancel their game.
"I get the safety concerns, but this is suspicious." @CoachNeuheisel on #Miami not wanting to play Friday night at @AStateFB pic.twitter.com/bWETYEyMZX
— ESPNU Radio on SXM (@ESPNUonSiriusXM) September 7, 2017
“I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with being safe. But FAU is traveling to Wisconsin this week. FIU has changed their home game with Alcorn State to travel to Birmingham and play. South Florida’s traveling to Connecticut to play. Central Florida’s playing on Friday night. And Florida moved their game up to play Northern Colorado to noon,” Neuheisel said on the radio.
“I get it, but this is suspicious,” he continued. “You don’t want to play the game, and they’re not making it up … to just say you’re not playing, especially when it’s not in Miami. If the Miami Dolphins were on the road this week, they’d be playing in the NFL. … I understand safety, and I’m going to defer to the calmer and wiser heads that know the path of Irma, but this to me looked like you didn’t want to play the game.”
In the time after Neuheisel made his comments, FIU had to evacuate Florida, while South Florida, Florida and Florida State all cancelled their games. Central Florida still has their game scheduled for Friday night.
Here’s what Richt tweeted on Thursday night.
To set the record straight we have not practiced since Tuesday and we won't til everyone gets back in town after this CATEGORY 5 hurricane!
— Mark Richt (@MarkRicht) September 8, 2017
Nor have meet as a team or a staff. The safety of our players and staff and the ability for them to be w/ Family is our priority!
— Mark Richt (@MarkRicht) September 8, 2017
Very sad to read some of the comments of some football fans and some members of the media believing we had some other motive! U Family!!
— Mark Richt (@MarkRicht) September 8, 2017
It’s pretty poor form — and clearly insensitive — for anyone to question a program cancelling a football game at a time when the area is expecting the worst storm ever in the country’s history. Like Richt said, Miami hasn’t practiced for days and has much bigger things to worry about, such as their safety. They shouldn’t be expected to play a game under those circumstances.
