ESPN reported on Thursday night, the EasyPost Hawai’i Bowl has been canceled after the home team Hawai’i announced on Thursday night that they would be withdrawing due to concerns about COVID-19 – in addition to injuries.
The Rainbow Warriors were scheduled to play the University of Memphis in Honolulu on Christmas Eve.
“The health and safety of our student-athletes was the most important part of this decision,” athletic director David Matlin said in a statement. “The recent increase in COVID-19 cases has forced us out of the game. We are very disappointed for our players, coaches and fans. ESPN and EasyPost staff. The Hawai’i Bowl did everything they could for us and we appreciate their brave efforts throughout the week. We want to thank the Memphis Tigers for making the long trip to Hawai’i. I’m very disappointed that I can’t play on the football field.”
Hawai’i is the second team to withdraw from the bowl game amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Texas A&M pulled out of the Gator Bowl earlier this week because they had a COVID depleted roster. The timing of Aggies’ cancellation allowed the oversight committee to find a replacement, putting Rutgers in position to face Wake Forest in Florida on December 31.
With Hawaii having to cancel so soon, the entire Hawaiian Bowl game had to be cancelled.
ESPN released a statement about the cancellation:
