BTP The Offseason, Day 142: So much room for socially-responsible activities!

On the national news front today:

— The NCAA is expanding the amount of space that college football teams are allowed to occupy on the sideline by 20 yards. Used to be that area extended from one 25-yard-line to the other; now it’s the 15 to the other 15. That’s a common-sense change, though schools still are going to have to pare down how many players and staff are allowed on the sidelines.

— Student-athletes in all sports will be allowed to commemorate social justice causes or individuals on their uniforms this season. The NCAA is allowing one patch for this purpose on the front of the jersey, while players can also choose to replace their own name on the back with a message. A laudable move that no doubt will piss off a bunch of people who would rather not consider athletes as fellow human beings instead of sports-playing automatons.

— Major League Baseball has been back for a week and already is confronting a mounting health crisis, with the Cardinals the latest to have players test positive for COVID-19. The Marlins are down like two-thirds of their active roster, and the Phillies are in a holding pattern after a couple staff members tested positive. Not an encouraging sign for other sports hoping to operate outside of a bubble!

In NC State news:

— Look at these guys being dudes being bros:

— Thunder Dan was pleased with how his guys looked when they got back on campus.

— The Pack football Twitter account has been running quick get-to-know-the-newcomers videos. Enjoyed this from Chris Scott, who after saying he loves Italian food, said, “Even though I’m lactose intolerant, I could kill some cheese.”