The wrinkles will eventually come for the Buckeyes
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Tattoos are nice when we are young and carefree. When we are young, our skin is toned, has better color, and wrinkles don't exist. We seem invincible. We give no thought that what we do when we are 21 years old could possibly affect us when we are age 61.
Welcome to the current state of Ohio State football.
Last week, former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel did his best Terrelle Pryor impression, dodging the NCAA with a perfectly timed juke move out of harm's way when he "resigned" from the highest-paying position at The Ohio State University.
Though he didn't shake off the opposition like Pryor would have, it was still an impressive move by the sweater-vest-wearing, gum-chomping Buckeye coach.
Actually, Tressel said in a statement (in his resignation letter): "We know that God has a plan for us (him and his wife), and we will be fine … We will be Buckeyes forever."
Know who else is a Buckeye forever? Art Schlichter.
This Tuesday, Pryor saved his best scrambling effort for last when he decided to skip his senior season as quarterback of the Buckeyes. Pryor was already suspended for five games due to taking part in the Buckeyes' version of "Pawn Stars."
There was no way he'd ever play for the Buckeyes again, right?
This move of leaving school early was impressive. It was even better than a two-step drop, which in turn goes for an 65-yard rushing touchdown down the Illinois sideline.
But not even TP's maneuverability skills could get him out of this mess of tattoos, cars, resignations and God knows what else in the past year, or two or three years. This could have been going on before TP, and we'd all be fools if we didn't think it was.
Here is Pryor in his "own" words from a statement released by his lawyer:
"In the best interest of my teammates, I have made the decision to forego my senior year of football at The Ohio State University."
Ya think?
Looks like the three free years at one of the finest academic universities in the United States really paid off.
I honestly think Pryor is a good person, but he gives off the perception he's spoiled, or how about arrogant?
But whose fault is that, really?
Remember when Pryor was the twinkle in everyone's eye during his final season of high school. He was THE MAN. Adults (myself included) were drooling over what he could bring to a football program … which was wins.
No matter what anyone says, that is what college coaches are ultimately there to do … recruit star players to win games, no matter what it takes. They aren't there to be someone's dad or guardian (though that is a nice story when it happens), but they are there to win football games because if they don't, well, they are kicked out of the family.
Remember when TP had the prolonged press conference to tell the entire football world he was going to go to "THE" Ohio State University amongst fanfare? Remember, he put on that red Buckeyes cap, and all was good in Columbus.
That was the start of something we now know won't have a fairytale ending. Nope, TP wasn't Prince Charming, and Sweater Vest turned out to not be like his brother in the sweater vest, Mr. Rogers.
Think about this … if we were in TP's position, at his age (starting as a freshman QB at one of the top colleges in the country), would we make the same decisions when we knew nobody was going to do anything? Would we care about consequences when "trouble" was just a seven-letter word?
TP does need to be held accountable for his actions because he is 21 years old and he should have known that trading jewelry for tattoos would probably get him and his school in hot water.
I also blame his "support" system, his coach and possibly others (we'll see). Sure, they are all probably nice people, but still, you can't lie to the NCAA … that is the ultimate sin.
Maybe the chapter on discipline was missing from "The Winner's Manual?"
Want to know the funny thing about all of this?
Pryor not only cost Rich Rodriguez his job at Michigan by going 3-0 against the Wolverines (he also turned down UM), but I think it is safe to say his actions caused the Sweater Vest to make really poor decisions, which eventually cost him his job.
Here is what Gene Smith, the OSU athletic director, had to say about Pryor scrambling away like he's being chased by a linebacker from Purdue, Indiana or Penn State: "We understand Terrelle's decision and wish him well in this next phase of his life. We hope he returns to The Ohio State University one day to finish his degree."
Pryor's major, according to the official OSU website, is "Exploring." (Whatever that means? Probably undecided.)
One topic that isn't tough to explore is his overall record under center at OSU. Pryor was 31-4 as a starter. He passed for 6,177 yards. He rushed for 2,164 yards as a quarterback (an OSU record).
None of that matters anymore. Just like they did with Tressel, Buckeye fans have turned their back on another one of their own they cheered for on Saturdays in the fall.
Remember, Tressel will be a Buckeye forever, whether you like it or not. TP, too.
All of this is just a sad ending, when it finally ends. Still waiting for the NCAA to write the next chapter.
Though I don't care for the Buckeyes, I am a fan of tradition. I am a fan of football traditions. But the tradition where programs, boosters, coaches and players break the rules and then laugh about it behind closed doors isn't one I care for, no matter the team.
I'm not naive; I assume it happens at most programs, major, mid-major or small schools.
But I'm guilty as anyone … I don't really have an interest of what a player's GPA is or if they trade their rings for money or tattoos. That doesn't do it for me. I do care about what their touchdown-to-interception ratio is, though, or how many tackles they have.
If I cared about players' GPAs, I'd watch Ivy League chess or the debate team, or I'd watch a spelling bee.
All of these scandals just go with the territory, I guess.
But, again, what I don't think most of these players realize is how lucky they are to be in the position they are in.
One day, a long time in the future – we'll say 40 years from now – these players are going to look down at all the ink embedded permanently in their skin from the tattoos that apparently started this whole situation, and it will come to them … just like those faded tattoos, their legacy at Ohio State, too, will only look worse with age.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com.[[In-content Ad]]
Welcome to the current state of Ohio State football.
Last week, former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel did his best Terrelle Pryor impression, dodging the NCAA with a perfectly timed juke move out of harm's way when he "resigned" from the highest-paying position at The Ohio State University.
Though he didn't shake off the opposition like Pryor would have, it was still an impressive move by the sweater-vest-wearing, gum-chomping Buckeye coach.
Actually, Tressel said in a statement (in his resignation letter): "We know that God has a plan for us (him and his wife), and we will be fine … We will be Buckeyes forever."
Know who else is a Buckeye forever? Art Schlichter.
This Tuesday, Pryor saved his best scrambling effort for last when he decided to skip his senior season as quarterback of the Buckeyes. Pryor was already suspended for five games due to taking part in the Buckeyes' version of "Pawn Stars."
There was no way he'd ever play for the Buckeyes again, right?
This move of leaving school early was impressive. It was even better than a two-step drop, which in turn goes for an 65-yard rushing touchdown down the Illinois sideline.
But not even TP's maneuverability skills could get him out of this mess of tattoos, cars, resignations and God knows what else in the past year, or two or three years. This could have been going on before TP, and we'd all be fools if we didn't think it was.
Here is Pryor in his "own" words from a statement released by his lawyer:
"In the best interest of my teammates, I have made the decision to forego my senior year of football at The Ohio State University."
Ya think?
Looks like the three free years at one of the finest academic universities in the United States really paid off.
I honestly think Pryor is a good person, but he gives off the perception he's spoiled, or how about arrogant?
But whose fault is that, really?
Remember when Pryor was the twinkle in everyone's eye during his final season of high school. He was THE MAN. Adults (myself included) were drooling over what he could bring to a football program … which was wins.
No matter what anyone says, that is what college coaches are ultimately there to do … recruit star players to win games, no matter what it takes. They aren't there to be someone's dad or guardian (though that is a nice story when it happens), but they are there to win football games because if they don't, well, they are kicked out of the family.
Remember when TP had the prolonged press conference to tell the entire football world he was going to go to "THE" Ohio State University amongst fanfare? Remember, he put on that red Buckeyes cap, and all was good in Columbus.
That was the start of something we now know won't have a fairytale ending. Nope, TP wasn't Prince Charming, and Sweater Vest turned out to not be like his brother in the sweater vest, Mr. Rogers.
Think about this … if we were in TP's position, at his age (starting as a freshman QB at one of the top colleges in the country), would we make the same decisions when we knew nobody was going to do anything? Would we care about consequences when "trouble" was just a seven-letter word?
TP does need to be held accountable for his actions because he is 21 years old and he should have known that trading jewelry for tattoos would probably get him and his school in hot water.
I also blame his "support" system, his coach and possibly others (we'll see). Sure, they are all probably nice people, but still, you can't lie to the NCAA … that is the ultimate sin.
Maybe the chapter on discipline was missing from "The Winner's Manual?"
Want to know the funny thing about all of this?
Pryor not only cost Rich Rodriguez his job at Michigan by going 3-0 against the Wolverines (he also turned down UM), but I think it is safe to say his actions caused the Sweater Vest to make really poor decisions, which eventually cost him his job.
Here is what Gene Smith, the OSU athletic director, had to say about Pryor scrambling away like he's being chased by a linebacker from Purdue, Indiana or Penn State: "We understand Terrelle's decision and wish him well in this next phase of his life. We hope he returns to The Ohio State University one day to finish his degree."
Pryor's major, according to the official OSU website, is "Exploring." (Whatever that means? Probably undecided.)
One topic that isn't tough to explore is his overall record under center at OSU. Pryor was 31-4 as a starter. He passed for 6,177 yards. He rushed for 2,164 yards as a quarterback (an OSU record).
None of that matters anymore. Just like they did with Tressel, Buckeye fans have turned their back on another one of their own they cheered for on Saturdays in the fall.
Remember, Tressel will be a Buckeye forever, whether you like it or not. TP, too.
All of this is just a sad ending, when it finally ends. Still waiting for the NCAA to write the next chapter.
Though I don't care for the Buckeyes, I am a fan of tradition. I am a fan of football traditions. But the tradition where programs, boosters, coaches and players break the rules and then laugh about it behind closed doors isn't one I care for, no matter the team.
I'm not naive; I assume it happens at most programs, major, mid-major or small schools.
But I'm guilty as anyone … I don't really have an interest of what a player's GPA is or if they trade their rings for money or tattoos. That doesn't do it for me. I do care about what their touchdown-to-interception ratio is, though, or how many tackles they have.
If I cared about players' GPAs, I'd watch Ivy League chess or the debate team, or I'd watch a spelling bee.
All of these scandals just go with the territory, I guess.
But, again, what I don't think most of these players realize is how lucky they are to be in the position they are in.
One day, a long time in the future – we'll say 40 years from now – these players are going to look down at all the ink embedded permanently in their skin from the tattoos that apparently started this whole situation, and it will come to them … just like those faded tattoos, their legacy at Ohio State, too, will only look worse with age.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com.[[In-content Ad]]