Five Buckeyes Shows Real Remorse—For What?

In Columbus, Ohio, five good looking young men went to a press conference and grabbed a microphone Tuesday afternoon and spoke from the heart.  They expressed how sorry they were that they had disappointed fans, fellow alums, and fellow athletes.  They said that they had  committed a selfish act, and they were sorry for their transgression.  It was not their intent to bring reproach or dishonor on The Ohio State University. 

They begged for forgiveness. 

It took real humility for those young men to go on camera and do what they did.  I commend them for their apologies.  However, I must say this.  Those young men don't owe anyone anything!  The monster in all of this is the NCAA. 

Yes, these young men broke the rules and everyone should abide by the rules, but this is a rule that probably should never have been on the books.  Maybe the rules committee will look at this and figure out how student athletes can be appropriately compensated. 

How dare the greedy, materialistic, athlete eating piranha, the NCAA punish young men for doing what they've been taught by our society.  These items were not stolen.   These young men sold items that belonged to them.  They worked hard on the gridiron and earned these items.  It was their prerogative to do what they wanted with memorabilia that belonged to them.

I think most would agree that it would have been better had they held on to those items and kept them in high esteem.  Get real though!  We're talking about stellar, celebrated athletes that have been getting awards and medals since grade school. 

"What's a championship ring or a pair of gold britches when you know you're going to get another?"  You probably don't value it the way you should.  "If I can sell this item and put gasoline in my car so I can meet this 'little honey' on West Campus I'm doing it."  Maybe it's not the attitude one should have but have you ever been 20 years old?

The NCAA is truly reprehensible.  College athletes bring a lot of money to the NCAA and its member institutions.  Needless to say, our five Buckeyes will be playing in the Sugar Bowl on January 4, 2011.  Gotta make that money!  

Terrelle Pryor's name means a lot to the NCAA , the Ohio State University and the Sugar Bowl.  I wonder how many dollars Terrelle has clocked for his school and the NCAA since he's been in Columbus.  Therefore,  the five game suspension will not take place until the fall of 2011. 

These young athletes put life and limb on the line every time they take the field.  Yes, they get an education but get this one point.   There are plenty of people with higher education that can't find a job in today's economy.  Many would argue that in a free enterprise system: "Get it while you can get it."

Today's student athlete is much smarter than his predecessor, when it comes to free enterprise.  Jesse Owens is probably the most revered athlete to ever attend Ohio State University. 

He came home in 1936 a national hero from the Olympics in Berlin.  Owens won the admiration and adulation of the whole world at that time.  He beat Hitler and the Nazis!  Yet, Owens competed as a non-scholarship athlete at Ohio State.  He worked a job to support himself in off-campus residency. 

Imagine that; working a job, going to school and competing as a world-class athlete.   As an African-American, he couldn't have an athletic scholarship.  He couldn't live on campus in a dormitory for athletes.  I wonder what Jesse did for recreation?  I bet he was too worn out to do much of anything. 

Jesse paved the way for Black athletes at OSU.  He set a precedent for all athletes.  I know he would be overjoyed to see what is happening on the Buckeye campus in 2010.  He wouldn't believe his eyes.  The kids have figured it out.  In the spirit of free enterprise, they intend to get some kind of compensation for their services.  You know what?  I don't think that's half bad.