NEW ORLEANS — The Ohio State football team will fly in to New Orleans Wednesday and attempt to get on with the business of preparing to face Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl next Tuesday.
The Buckeyes made a concerted effort Tuesday to leave the scandal surrounding the sale of prized memorabilia behind them, after the five players at the heart of the affair offered a collective apology at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus.
It was mea maxima culpa from quarterback Terrelle Pryor and four fellow juniors who were chastised last week by the NCAA for allegedly selling Big Ten championship rings, the gold pants charms earned through a victory over Michigan, and autographed game apparel for cash, while also receiving discounted tattoo services.
The NCAA has suspended the five players for the first five games of the 2011 season, but said it would permit them to play in the Sugar Bowl. Each fell on the sword and sought forgiveness, with Pryor saying he hoped to someday earn absolution from Ohio State fans with his performance on the field.
“I’m deeply sorry about the young and selfish mistakes I made to bring down this university and bring embarrassment to myself and the coaching staff,” Pryor said. “I was very young and immature. I’m just very deeply sorry about it. I didn’t mean to hurt nobody at all because this is the greatest university in the nation.”
Pryor was joined at the session by fellow starters wide receiver DeVier Posey, offensive lineman Mike Adams, and running back Dan Herron, as well as backup defensive end Solomon Thomas. After making similar statements of remorse, none of the players took questions, since the matter is under appeal to the NCAA.
It has been widely felt that all or most of the players involved might jump a year early to the NFL to avoid serving out the suspension, which Ohio State officials last week immediately announced their intention to appeal. But Posey included a commitment to return to Ohio State next season in his remarks
“We wanted you to hear our apology,” Posey said. “I am truly remorseful for my actions and what I have done. I know I have disappointed former players and alumni and the 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.”
The events in the case occurred up to two years ago, but were exposed recently while the U.S. Attorney’s office was investigating the tattoo parlor and discovered the memorabilia.
After being contacted by the federal investigators, Ohio State made the NCAA and the Big Ten aware of the situation, and a rapid investigation ensued.
Herron, who rushed for 1,068 yards and 15 touchdowns this season after winning the starting tailback job by beating out senior Brandon Saine, repeatedly asked for forgiveness, and ended his apology with “Go Bucks”.
“My mistake in judgment and my selfishness is something that has really hurt me and it has really embarrassed me,” Herron said. “OSU definitely has a special place in my heart. I love every person here — 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.”
Adams, who like Herron earned all-Big Ten honors this past season as the Buckeyes went 11-1 and won a sixth straight Big Ten championship, reinforced the notion that Ohio State officials have expressed from the outset, that the players were not aware they were breaking any rules. Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith also stated last week that the players had sold the items to earn money to help their families.
“As a Columbus kid growing up, I watched the Buckeyes on TV,” said Adams, who is from the suburb of Dublin. “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 the Buckeye Nation and the alumni can forgive me.”
Thomas, who played in 11 games this season backing up starter Nathan Williams, said the players were not aware of the serious ramifications of their actions.
“I don’t think any of us realized how hard this would affect people around us,” Thomas said. “This is something that is life changing and this has really made us all look at things differently.”
A sixth player, redshirt freshman linebacker Jordan Whiting, received only discounted tattoo services and has been suspended for the first game of 2011. He did not appear at Tuesday’s group apology, which lasted about six minutes. All of the Ohio State players involved are also being required to pay restitution in the form of donations to charities.