It's a dark day in the Buckeye Nation. After months of speculation and NCAA investigations, our beloved coach, Jim Tressel, resigned as the OSU head football coach this morning. Unless you live in a bubble or in a mountain holler, you know that The Ohio State University has been under fire for the last 6 months for NCAA infractions. Unfortunately, five players made some bad decisions that were in violation of the NCAA rules. And unfortunately, Coach Tressel compounded the problem when he didn't report the infractions when he discovered them. And unfortunately, I'm sure that there are only more issues to come out in the Sports Illustration tomorrow. Like everyone else I have my own opinions. So unfortunately for you, you now have the pleasure of hearing them!
First and foremost, shame on the players for putting the Buckeye Nation in this situation. They all attended the same compliance meetings. So they all know the rules and regulations. If that isn't enough, they should learn from the mistakes of the players that go before them. All football players eat, breathe and live college football. They are all aware of the similar problems their competitors have endured at the hands of NCAA rules committee....Reggie Bush, Cam Newton, Marcel Dareus, etc. Of course, there is also moral compass. Come on, we all know what is right and what is wrong. We choose which path to follow. The only thing they can do is accept responsibility of their decisions and admit their guilt and not blame others. Learn and move on.
Secondly, shame on Coach Tressel. He too has a moral compass. Heck he's written several books on faith and doing the right thing. Like the 5 players, he too made some bad decisions. He withheld information about the infractions, and now he is paying the piper for those mistakes. Also like the players, he chose a path and now he must suffer the repercussions of his choices. I have great respect for Coach Tressel, and this incident will not change that opinion. He is one of the best college football coaches. He has a 106-22 record, one national championship, seven Big Ten titles, and a 9-1 record against Michigan. Unfortunately, one bad mistake will define his career. I hope that he can overcome this hurdle and be able to move on with his life. I suggest he read his own books on faith and integrity. There is valuable information in them that will help him rise above the current maelstrom.
Thirdly, shame on the general public. Dimitrious Stanley said it today and I agree with him. There are so many people out there who are knowingly tempting these athletes to do the wrong thing. The reasons vary....hatred , social climbers, tickets, fame, fortune, etc. Pretty much everything that the Bible warns us against. Just like the athletes, these people know right from wrong as well. Unfortunately, they place value on fulfilling their wants and not helping to raise outstanding leaders. We can only hope that there are more good people than bad people out there!
Lastly, I say shame on the NCAA rules committee. No other organization is policed by such restrictions as college athletes. Everyone makes so much money off of these players except for the kids. Believe me when I say I believe that a free college education and the opportunity to play at the next level should be motivation enough for these kids. However, I think it is unrealistic to hold them to a code of conduct higher than most of us live by.
Like the people mentioned above, I too make mistakes every single day. Some are huge and some are small. I guess what is important is that I learn from those mistakes and become a better person for it. I hope that all people involved in this situation can do the same thing. Learn from the mistakes and use those lessons to make life better. After all it takes an entire village to raise our children. If the village is full of good people, then we will raise wonderful leaders. If the village is full of idiots...well, you know the analogy.
I want to say thanks to Coach Tressel for all of the good you've done for OSU and the Columbus community. Your good will always outweigh the bad in my eyes. To the current players, I say learn and grow from the situation. To future players, learn from the lessons of your predecessors. There are people out there who will always prey on your achievements. To Luke Fickell, good luck! You are being asked to do the impossible. Like everyone else, learn and grow from this experience.
And to the state up north, I know some of you are reveling in our disgrace. After all, you haven't had much to celebrate in the last 10 years! I just have a little piece of advice for you. The Buckeye Nation may be down right now, but don't' count us out. We will rebound from this and it will only make us better. We are Buckeye Strong!
Make Every Day Count.....
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