SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has been steadfast that the conference is doing everything it can to safely play football in the fall. Sankey stressed patience and promised to make diligent decisions on Monday as rumors swirled about other conferences canceling their seasons.

Sanky then appeared on the “Dan Patrick Show,”  Tuesday where he stated that the conference’s presidents and chancellors have been given a green light by their medical advisory group to proceed with preseason preparation.

Sankey specifically pointed to the conference’s additional health protocols, but also reiterated that fans also have an obligation to continue to adhere to best practices such as social distancing and wearing a mask.

With the Big 10 officially cancelling fall football it leaves the ACC, Big 12, and SEC with decisions to make about whether to proceed with the season. But Sankey’s message of patience suggests the league is not ready to call off the season yet as players rally behind the #WeWantToPlay movement, which picked up momentum Monday with President Donald Trump tweeting his support for the cause.

The SEC announced July 30 that it planned to play a 10-game, conference-only schedule and pushed the start of its season to Sept. 26. Sankey said the adjusted schedule offered “the best opportunity to complete a full season by giving us the ability to adapt to the fluid nature of the virus and the flexibility to adjust schedules as necessary if disruptions occur,” and the league went ahead Friday with announcing which additional two opponents for each team in the conference.

Arkansas Razorback head football coach Sam Pittman said in a tweet Tuesday that the Hogs want to play.