open its football season the weekend of Oct. 23-24, reversing a decision to push fall sports to the spring in the name of player safety during the coronavirus pandemic.The Democratic governor's order covers both training and competition.Mark Totten, Whitmer's chief legal counsel, said pro athletes do not face the mask requirement because of their sports' “very rigorous protocols.” Asked if the order could be revised before Big Ten football starts, he told The Associated Press: “This development just came yesterday from the Big Ten.