Ohio State And NCAA Football: Forgive The Fab Five (Six)

The American sports world is very forgiving. Many of our athletes have fallen from grace and done some unspeakable things. 

Michael Vick served jail time because of his dog fighting ring. He admitted his wrong and now is a candidate for MVP in the NFL.

Alex Rodriguez used steroids. He admitted his wrongdoing and was forgiven. 

Andy Pettitte used performing enhancing drugs, admitted his fault and has been forgiven. 

On the flip side, Roger Clemens continues to deny he did anything wrong. He was recently voted as one of the most hated athletes; not only has he not been forgiven by the public, his stubbornness is keeping him out of the Hall of Fame. 

These are professional athletes; the public should have even more grace on collegiate athletes.

So the Ohio State football players have come clean, admitted their wrongs and have asked for forgiveness.

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved.”

We the public should bestow forgiveness like we have to professional athletes. Here is a transcript of their confession, it sounds very sincere (from Steve Helwagen Bucknuts.com):

Posey, OSU’s second-leading receiver this past year, was first to speak:

“We wanted to apologize so that you guys (the fans) heard it from us,” he said. “We wanted you to hear our apology. I am truly remorseful for my actions and what I have done. I know I have disappointed former players and alumni and Buckeye Nation. It hurts me deeply that I put my teammates through this.

“I promise to return for my senior year, to be a leader on and off the field and to receive my degree from The Ohio State University.”

Adams, an All-Big Ten tackle from nearby Dublin, talked about how much Ohio State has meant to him:

“As a Columbus kid growing up, I watched the Buckeyes on TV,” Adams said. “It was always my dream to play here. When I did what I did, I didn’t do it with the intent to hurt anybody or to tarnish the great reputation this university has. I just hope there is a way somehow that Buckeye Nation and the alumni can forgive me.”

Herron, an All-Big Ten tailback and 1,000-yard rusher, also spoke softly in discussing his suspension:

“My mistake in judgment and my selfishness is something that has hurt me and embarrassed me,” Herron said. “OSU definitely has a special place in my heart. I love everybody here with the seniors, my coaches and the fans and all of the alumni. I’m very humble and thankful to be a Buckeye now and into the future.

“I hope there will be a day when I am forgiven. I hope that Buckeye nation can forgive me and Go Bucks.”

Pryor, OSU’s third-year starting quarterback, also addressed his wrongdoing:

“I’m deeply sorry about the young and selfish mistakes I made two years ago to bring down this university and bring embarrassment to myself and the coaching staff,” Pryor said. “I was very young and immature. I am deeply sorry about it. I didn’t mean to hurt anybody at all … because this is the greatest university in the nation.

“Hopefully through my actions and my play on the field, someday I can get your forgiveness.”

Thomas, a backup defensive end, was the last to speak:

“I want to apologize along with everyone up here for our actions,” Thomas said. “I want to apologize to the city of Columbus, the beautiful city that we live in. I don’t know if any of us realized how hard this would affect people around us. This is something that is life changing and has made us all look at things differently.”

To quote C.S. Lewis again, "Forgiveness does not mean excusing." 

They have done wrong and need to pay the consequences, but one of the consequences should not be unforgiveness. Their apology sounds sincere; it is time to turn the page and move on and realize that young men make mistakes.

To continue to punish them will only crush their souls. Hopefully, they have learned their lesson and can become better because of it. That is one of the purposes of a college education.