Hypocrisy At It's Worst

The NCAA has handed down a major decision which clarifies their intractable stance on scholarship athletes receiving benefits from those outside the university.   All players must use a middle man and deny their involvement.  Five Buckeyes must sit out the 1st 5 games of the 2011 season "for selling awards, gifts and university apparel and receiving improper benefits in 2009."  Mike Adams, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Terrelle Pryor and Solomon Thomas must also repay the full dollar amount accrued from their malfeasance.  The breakdown is as follows --


• Adams must repay $1,000 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring.
 • 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.
 • 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.
 • Jordan Whiting must sit out the first game next year and pay $150 to a charity for the value of services that were discounted because of his status as a student-athlete.

Fortunately for those of us that cheer on the Scarlet and Gray, all 6 players remain eligible for the Sugar Bowl because, according to the NCAA, "the student-athletes did not receive adequate rules education during the time period the violations occurred."

Learn from Cam Newton, kids.  Call your uncle, solicit him to sell your gold pants and then deny all knowledge when questioned by the authorities.  No punishment will be levied.  The NCAA has made this crystal clear.

Likely now that Pryor jumps, as opposed to playing half a season.  Perhaps Posey & Herron as well.

Tweet your way out of this one, TP.

Sheesh.