Just when you think the moves Justin Fields, football parents, and other administrators’ actions are well-intentioned but unlikely to make any real impacts on the Big Ten’s decision to postpone the 2020 football season, we get some news about well-known attorney Tom Mars entering the fray.

For those that need a reminder, Mars has represented (successfully I might add) many high-profile college football players in their attempts to obtain a waiver exception for immediate eligibility for undergrads. He was the attorney that represented Justin Fields in gaining immediate eligibility at Ohio State.

The Columbus Dispatch (subscription may be required) reached out to Mars and got some insight on where the huge pushback from Big Ten players, parents, and coaches might be headed. Be ready to be surprised, because he believes it could all result in a reversal of action by the Big Ten.

Mars believes that having Fields as the face of this whole push means more than anyone is giving it credit for.

“I think it’s going to matter a lot,” Mars told The Dispatch. “I think it already matters. I don’t think this dilemma is going to be solved in a court of law. I think it’s going to be solved in the court of public opinion. I can’t think of any individual in college football — player, coach or otherwise — who has more credibility and respect than Justin Fields.”

Also of significant note — and a bit of a revelation — at the request of several parents of Big Ten players, Mars has written a two-page proposal entitled “Action Plan to Mitigate Concerns and Legal Risks of Playing Fall 2020 Football.”

Yes, you read that right.

And here’s the deal. Mars believes the Big Ten has to act or face some issues in the court of public opinion. With the groundswell of support for getting on board with trying to play games in the fall, there are some real problems that could arise for the league.

There are concerns about counterproductive moves to ban liability waivers, as well as what can only be viewed as a premature decision by the Big Ten to postpone the season and the lack of detail and transparency in making such an impactful decision.

“The failure of transparency has called into question the legitimacy of their decision,” Mars said, “which reminds me of that expression I heard and was taught long ago: Transparency is the foundation of legitimacy. Without it, you can expect people to question your motives and question whether you made a good decision.”

Mars said that there has also been some talk about taking legal action, but it isn’t the path he would prefer to go.

“I don’t think this is a situation that’s helped by people drawing swords, especially lawyers,” Mars said.

Still though, Mars admits the parents and players aren’t going to stop pushing back hard on the Big Ten. And this didn’t come from him, but anyone that lives in today’s society knows what can happen if the other side isn’t listening, isn’t responding, and there’s a lack of transparency and action.

If there’s a get out of jail free card for Warren and the Big Ten, it could be the development of a new saliva-based test that can provide COVID-19 testing results in just a few hours. He believes it provides the Big Ten with a road-map to reverse course a bit.

“Kevin Warren has a second chance here to do the right thing,” Mars said of the first-year Big Ten commissioner.

If not, Mars believes his tenure could be short-lived.

There are many that would get on board with that based on how this whole thing has gone down. It’s hard to criticize someone for doing what they believe is right under the guise of safety. But the communication, transparency, and willingness to own the decision has been far from above reproach according to many.

Now, just because Mars says and believes something doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to come to fruition, but maybe this thing has more legs than we thought.

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