CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — When he got to campus back in March, new Illinois football coach Lovie Smith counted 50 or 60 Illini players who owned scooters. By August, Smith says they will be gone.
Smith has banned his players from riding scooters. He says he is concerned about player safety. He said few if any players wore helmets.
The former Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL coach points out that teams commonly restrict pro players’ outside activities.
College athletes on many campuses have taken to scooters to get around. Photos of former Wisconsin basketball player Frank Kaminsky on a scooter with the team’s mascot created a buzz.
Sam Selle’s owns a scooter shop near campus in Urbana. He says the ban will not hurt his business. But he says he will miss seeing players come into the shop.
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