It's Time to Turn the Page

Just not the same

I intended for this column to take a different direction when I was thinking about it over the last few days. I wanted to show Jim Tressel in a flattering light and defend him for being a good human being and a terrific football coach. Unfortunately, I am running out of material considering the latest allegations that the Ohio St. football team is dealing with this week. It seems like every time I flip open my laptop or peruse the sports websites each morning, there is another bomb being lobbed over the WHAC fence from the media.

When tatgate first came to light, I really didn’t think the infractions were all that big of a deal. Football players on major college campuses receive discounts and preferential treatment all the time. I don’t think anyone would dispute this fact. These guys are celebrities in their won right and one would be ignorant to think that they don’t receive perks because of that status they hold.

I have expressed my views on the “infractions” these guys had committed in the past. Selling personal property for financial gain is something that happens a million times every day in this country. Hell, it is the basic premise for capitalism which is the foundation of this country (many will argue that the United States doesn’t operate on a true capitalistic society but this is a sports blog damn it!). It hurt our feelings that these guys would sell their prized possessions from beating Michigan and winning bowl games but they really didn’t break any laws in the process. The NCAA coming down on these guys with suspensions for selling a few trinkets when they profit billions of dollars off their likeness every year is hypocrisy in its truest form.

When it was revealed that Tressel had knowledge of these offenses months in advance and still let the guys play the season, I was pretty disappointed… but not shocked.


Coaching is JT’s livelihood and anything that he can do to give him a better chance at a win on Saturdays is worth the risk to him. I’m sure that any number of coaches in the same position would have done the same thing. In fact, there are probably some out there laughing in private because they HAVE done the same thing. It doesn’t make it right but winning is everything in college football and JT did what he had to do. Even if those wins are vacated from last season, we all know who won and I won’t think of those teams any differently. Sorry. Some people may think that is an irresponsible way to think of it but that’s just me.

I was content to let the national pundits get their jabs in, get on with spring football and look forward to the upcoming season. Then, those little punk reporters at the Dispatch had to dig up some more dirt and possibly put a serious hamper on our favorite football team.

As everyone knows by now, there are a couple car dealerships, and one salesman in particular, that have sold tons of cars to players, family members of players and coaches over the past few years for discount prices. This is a very serious and damning allegation. Individual players selling some gold pants and signing autographs for tattoos is one thing. Giving huge discounts to individuals involved in the program on cars is way worse in my opinion.

The sheer scope of this latest problem is unbelievable. How this amount of cars and favoritism wasn’t noticed by the AD or Tressel is beyond me. I don’t think anyone will buy that none of the higher ups in the athletic department knew about these perks. I don’t believe it and I am a serious buckeye homer so who knows what the NCAA will think? This could have far reaching ramifications for the football team and maybe the basketball team if there are any shady deals that are discovered. After the last few months, who doesn’t think that investigators will turn up something with that many deals? I’m scared to check the news each day in anticipation of what I might read.

How will OSU handle this? If there are more shady dealings coming to light, I don’t think there is any way to keep JT on as head coach. Gene Smith might even be packing his bags after this one. Tatgate was viewed as something that Tressel kept to himself while managing to keep the rest of the university in the dark. Now, numerous players over different sports are involved and Smith had to of known something. This screams “lack of institutional control” and we all know what happens after that. Sanctions, Bowl bans and loss of scholarships all seem to be on the horizon. Plus, as much as it hurts to say, Tressel should be on the chopping block.

This university and football team is bigger than one man. JT must be credited with putting this program back on the map and making us annual contenders for bowl game and national titles. Unfortunately, the school can’t keep taking public beatings like this in the media. Sooner or later it is going to affect recruiting, not to mention the integrity of this great school. It is time to turn the page to a new chapter of Ohio St. football. The sooner the better because the longer the school stays in limbo, the weaker they look on a national level.

As Jerry Seinfeld once said concerning break ups, it’s better to treat them like pulling of a band aid… RIGHT OFF! Let’s just get it over with already.