You’ll have to put up with a grouchier than usual old guy today. I don’t like what the Grand Poohbahs are doing to our sports.

Boo #1: The Atlantic Coast and Southeastern Conferences have decided to play only in-conference.

That means the centuryold Carolina-Clemson rivalry game will not be played.

And the SEC season won’t start until Sept. 26.

It’s OK for Clemson to fly to Boston or Louisville for games, but not to play South Carolina in our state.

Does that make sense? And it’s OK for South Carolina to fly to Missouri, Kentucky or Tennessee but not to play Clemson instate?

Makes no sense either. Many were looking for the Tigers to whip the Lamecocks’ butts this year and send Will Muschamp packing. Now the rest of the SEC will have to do it for them.

High school

Boo #2: I know a lot of football fans want to see high school Friday nights return this fall. But the Lexington 1 proposal makes the most sense.

Superintendent Greg Little and Athletics Director David Bennett want the athletic school year divided into 4 seasons – fall, winter, spring 1 and spring 2.

Sports considered “Low” or “Moderate” risk like golf, baseball, softball and tennis would take place this fall.

“High” risk sports football and wrestling would be played next spring.

Their plan makes safety a priority by playing lower risk sports now while there is so much we still don’t yet know about treating and preventing covid-19.

Bennett won’t give up easily. He plans to re-introduce it at the Aug. 10 Appellate panel meeting. Good for him.

Bashing Barkley

Boo #3: You and I know the precious woke types are going to get upset with Charles Barkley for saying, ‘If people don’t kneel, they’re not a bad person.”

Before the NBA season restarted last week, Barkley spoke his mind as he’s always done in his career.

I remember when he played for the 76ers, he would bait the Philadelphia media with outrageous remarks – that made sense.

As expected, players from the New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz, coaches and referees took a knee during the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

Barkley said it was OK if any players did not kneel.

“The thing is, the national anthem means different things to different people,” he said. “I’m glad these guys are all unified, but if people don’t kneel, they’re not a bad person. If we have a guy that doesn’t want to kneel or the anthem means something to him, he should not be vilified.”

Good for Sir Charles.

Boo to the boo-birds.

What’s your opinion of this and other sports news? Email me at ChronicleSpports@yahoo.com .