After initially not having any USC players with their names formally attached to the open letter of demands that came out Sunday from a group of Pac-12 football players collected under the hashtag "#WeAreUnited," USC safety Chase Williams was included in a letter from the group to conference commissioner Larry Scott on Monday.
Sports Illustrated's Ross Dellenger reported the latest news.
The group posted its initial "Pac-12 Football Unity Demands" in a piece on The Players' Tribune, ranging from COVID-19 concerns (the right to sit out the season without penalty, and those who play not being forced to sign a liability waiver), pay cuts for Pac-12 leaders to ensure that sports programs aren't eliminated, endeavors to address racial injustice, continued medical coverage six years after college eligibility ends, a share of conference revenue for the athletes, etc. The alternative conveyed was a threat of players opting out of preseason camp and the season.
A number of USC players retweeted or shared the message on Twitter on Sunday.
And in the letter sent Monday, including Williams as a co-signer, the group asked for daily Zoom calls with Scott and Pac-12 athletic directors until the demands are met.
According to copies of the letter obtained by SI, Scott responded with a willingness to continue dialogue:
“We are eager to hear more about your concerns and very happy to discuss,” he wrote. “I will come back to you in the coming days following discussion with our members and student-athlete leaders to schedule a call for this week to discuss the matters that you have raised.”
Williams played in 11 games last season with four starts for USC, often serving as the first defensive back off the bench as a redshirt freshman. He started out working as the second-string nickel but later moved back to safety.
"This is bigger than just myself. This is for everybody that goes through the same battles that I do. Stand up for what's right," Williams posted on his Instagram account Sunday.
The #WeAreUnited message was retweeted by other USC players, while at least a couple expressed that opting out was simply not a consideration for them.
