Could Idaho football players opt out of college football season?

If a college football season is conducted this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic, it may not include Idaho's team.

Stadium's Brett McMurphy reported on Tuesday that "nearly three-fourths" of the program's players don't want to participate in the campaign due to coronavirus-related concerns.

Thus far, nine Idaho student-athletes and two coaches have tested positive for the virus. McMurphy also wrote that 24 Idaho student-athletes, in total, are currently quarantining or self-isolating.

Multiple Idaho players voiced worries about playing during the uncontrolled virus outbreak while speaking with Stadium. “We feel we have been neglected by the NCAA in terms of wealth over health," one reportedly said.

Another player suggested the football season should be moved to the spring when more is hopefully known about COVID-19 and the virus outbreak.

According to ESPN's Harry Lyles Jr., Idaho coach Paul Petrino and athletic director Terry Gawlik have both offered support to anxious athletes.

In a prepared statement, Petrino said: 

"We stand behind our student-athletes and fully support their right to speak out. I also have shared with our players that I am available to listen and discuss options at any time if they have concerns about returning to play in the current environment.

"Our athletic training staff continues to do an excellent job of adapting and implementing new practices to help our student-athletes and staff re-integrate as safely as possible. Our focus has been, and will remain, on keeping the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes a top priority."

Gawlik added: 

"I told them if they don't feel comfortable, they need to tell somebody. They need to discuss with their trainers, with me, with their coach or whomever. We will take care of them. We are not going to remove anyone's athletic aid because of their individual concerns. We just need to know."

The Big Sky Conference, which includes Idaho, hasn't yet announced a final decision on football and other fall sports.