The NCAA Hammer is Dropping in Columbus

This ain't just about tattoos anymore. 

Via NCAA press release:

Five football student-athletes from The Ohio State University must sit out the first five games of the 2011 season for selling awards, gifts and university apparel and receiving improper benefits in 2009, the NCAA has determined.

A sixth football student-athlete must sit out the first game in 2011 for receiving
discounted services in violation of NCAA rules.

The violations fall under the NCAA’s preferential treatment bylaws.

In addition to missing five games next season, student-athletes Mike Adams, Daniel Herron, Devier Posey, Terrelle Pryor and Solomon Thomas must repay money and benefits ranging in value from $1,000 to $2,500. The repayments must be made to a charity.

This is far more uglier than originally conceived when it was speculated that it was just a couple players trading autographs for tattoos.

During the tOSU presser at noon, AD Gene Smith cited external factors that led to these players selling awards for cash. He blamed the economy and the need for money for gas or going out on a date. Maybe its just me, but as an AD, step up and take the blame or put it on the players that broke the rules. I don't think it's the economy's fault. Yes times are tough, but that's not how you spin this.

When a guy like Pryor puts his 2008 Big Ten Championship ring up for sale, or gold pants that he won for beating Michigan, he ought to know full well that what he's doing is wrong. If he doesn't, than it's the coach's or the AD's fault for not educating these players better what the rules are.

If you really do take the time to educate these players and that they should know the rules, then it comes down to the players just making bad decisions.

Via the ESPN story:

Adams must repay $1,000 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring and Herron must repay $1,150 for selling his football jersey, pants and shoes for $1,000 and receiving discounted services worth $150.

Posey must repay $1,250 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring for $1,200 and receiving discounted services worth $50, while Pryor must repay $2,500 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring, a 2009 Fiesta Bowl sportsmanship award and his 2008 Gold Pants, a gift from the university.

Solomon must repay $1,505 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring for $1,000, his 2008 Gold Pants for $350 and receiving discounted services worth $155.

"These are significant penalties based on findings and information provided by the university," Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president of academic and membership affairs, said in a statement released by the NCAA.

The players are eligible for the bowl game because the NCAA determined they did not receive adequate rules education during the time period the violations occurred, Lennon said. 

For what it's worth, tOSU's first 5 games in 2011 are Akron, Toledo, @ Miami, Colorado and Michigan State.

Much more will be discussed about this...and surely we'll keep you updated. I guess Christmas come 2 days early for the Michigan bloggers this year.