Maurice Clarett talked to the Dan Patrick show this morning and along with expressing his feelings on Coach Tressel, he attempted to explain the culture of Columbus and the impact of the fans. He basically said what I’ve also tried to express on this site — the people of Columbus love Ohio State football and want to be close to the players. This desire to be close to the players often puts a 19-year old kid in a position to break an NCAA rule.
Think of it like this, say for a minute that the editor if the Lantern is recognized in a local restaurant by the couple sitting at the next table. They say hello and tell them how much they enjoyed his latest editorial. They start talking and the editor joins them for dinner. When the check rolls around, they offer to pay for the Lantern editor’s meal. Seeing how he’s a starving college student, he thanks them and accepts the offer.
Since he is a newspaper editor and not an NCAA athlete, that is the end of the story.
Now let’s say that it’s Braxton Miller and not the Lantern editor. If Miller accepts dinner, he’s just committed an NCAA violation. Take it a step further and say that the restaurant owner recognizes Miller and after he’s eaten, says to Miller, “Your money’s no good here. It’s on the house.”
If Miller wants to enjoy a long and successful career at Ohio State, he must refuse the restaurant owner’s offer and pay for the meal himself. Fail to do so and you’re violating NCAA regulations.
According to Clarett, that’s pretty much what it’s like in Columbus. Clarett took it a step further saying that any favors he received, he had to seek out himself. The opportunities were there but he had to go out and find them entirely on his own. There was no golden hand shake coming from boosters, no assistant coach telling him to talk to Mr. Big and he will take care of you. Any favors or benefits he received, he actively sought them himself without the knowledge of the University.
Clarett also added:
“…I reached out to people, people didn’t reach out to me, I reached out to people. Just when you’re driving around the community I’d reach out ot people. Hey, I’m struggleing with this. Hey, I need help with this. I do those things no different than the neighbor guy might do those things himself.
There’s not no institute…there’s nobody. I don’t know how it goes on anywhere else but I can speak in regards to my situation at Ohio State. There are things I’ve been through. There was nobody there to say hey, go talk to a, b, or c and they’ll help you out. That’s not true, you know what I’m saying. If you sat down with all those guys and you put them through a polygraph test they are going to tell you the same thing. There wasn’t any coaches, any booster, any member or anyone around Ohio State who helps you get a car or things like that. That doesn’t go on. It’s just guys doing what they want to. People will forever do what they want to. It’s nothing more than just young guys making mistakes.
The things I did to take me to prison were crimes that they achieved to take people off the street for, to get people help for, and be rehabilitated for and get a whole new perspective of society, on life and everything like that but in regards to these young guys that’s making mistakes, we’re talking about tattoos and just minor things. They are not that serious. (untelligible) Guys put so much energy into hoping something negative comes out of this situation.”
Clarett continues an important theme we have been hearing from all the players who are speaking out. Any favors received by the players were done without the knowledge of the University and Coach Tressel.
You can read other excerpts from the interview at Sports Radio Interviews or listen to the entire interview here (starts at 18:20 or so).
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
It good to see that Maurice has matured. Wish it could have happened in 2003.
People keep talking about these “starving college athletes” but I’ve never seen one. Do they not get meal and boarding plans included in scholarships?
Can’t anyone learn from Jerry Springer’s mistakes? Paper Checks? Really!?!?
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news;_ylt=AmaQalBiJhpJ65LZI5Xw7sYcvrYF?slug=dw-wetzel_why_osu_case_is_worse_than_usc_060811
I hear the “sisters of the poor” starting to sing ……
So, when tOSU gets their 2010 season stripped away …. does this mean that the Rose Bowl never happened? And then Auburn will get their 2011 season taken away and their NC game will also be striken. It will be as if the games never even existed.
If the checks are “true” then Terrelle is a complete idiot. As I stated on May 31st … I believe that we will find out that there has been a complete lack of Institutional Control going on for years (“We will be Buckeyes Forever” blog post). The leadership of tOSU has been lying about this whole mess. It is now more obvious than ever before that this “cover up” goes way above JT….. (see link posted by Not Alan).
Back to TP …. He announced that he was going to the NFL because he didn’t want to be a distraction to his teammates. What a GREAT GUY! I guess he is finally starting to mature and wants to look out for his friends and his school. RIGHT!?! ……..WRONG! A article released today on ESPN stated that tOSU would be able to provide a letter stating that TP is no longer an eligible student athlete. TP didn’t leave because he wanted to take responsibilities for his actions ….. he left because he isn’t eligible to play any longer.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6644544
My tOSU friends ……. this is a “come to Jesus” moment. You can no longer claim that the “tat 5″ was an isolated incident. Then, try to minimize/change the rules and say that the colleges should start paying the players. Then, absolve all blame because “coach was protecting his players”. Then, absolve the players because they are “local celebrities”. Then, turn on your players when your coach has to resign…. but continue to absolve the coach and University of any wrong doing. If there is any ounce of credibility to the checks being deposited into TP’s bank account ….. then tOSU has no Institutional Control. This revelation should have come out in December when tOSU said that the “tat 5″ was an isolated incident. Either their was never a true investigation ….. or tOSU leadership turned another blind eye.
So if Ohio State get’s their season stripped away and Oregon get’s there 2010 season stripped away (does the name Willie Lyles ring a bell) then guess what, Oregon still lost the Rose Bowl.
Talk about needing a “come to Jesus moment.” Don’t think for a moment that you’re not standing directly in line right behind Ohio State. The only difference is that with Ohio State, the players got themselves in trouble. In Oregon’s case, it came straight from the athletic department.
Looks like Oregon has some ghost in their closet. I would be a shome
to see last year’s BCS Championship try go down the drain. What if both
both Oregon and Auburn were found quilty? Hmm interesting thought.
tOSU has their own “street agent” ….. his name is Brett Goetz. He is the founder of the 7 on 7 league and the NCAA lumps street agents and 7 on 7 in the same catagory. He is very well connected on both the highschool and college level and is known on the street as “The Ohio State Guy”.
Personally ….. I don’t think anything will come out of the Oregon investigation (maybe a slight slap on the wrist). Remember …. the payment to Lyles went through our compliance department and they concluded that it was legal. So, I find it hard to believe that that these payments weren’t scrutinized. Oregon has not tried to cover anything up or even lie about our relationship with Lyles. If it is found that there were some violations …… then the responsibilty for this failure lies directly in the hands of our compliance people.
Here’s an interesting thought. Remember when everyone jumped on the T. Pryor & co. bandwagon and took offense to how these poor souls were being treated?
Remember how these kids were being abused by the media witch hunt and everyone rushed to their side?
Remember how T. Pryor and Co. sold memorabillia because they were just little poor kids trying to gain a little extra cash? Remember how poor ‘ol Momma back home couldn’t afford to send little Terrell enough money?
Man, if only Mamma could buy me a really nice, pimped out ride, instead of this $11,000 ‘ol piece of junk. So sad.
I remember …….
Buckeye Haters United (BHU)
Proud members include:
+ Defeated foes
+ Unremarkable Tradition-ed schools
+ Limited Scholar-Athlete schools
+ Single-Sport (Elite) schools
+ Bland Stadium/Campus Facilities schools
…and ALL their (relatively local vs. the “Buckeye Nation”) fans
Now, there ya go. Don’t we all feel better?
kilt, I think I have proven that I am not a “buckeye hater’.
I am a truth seeker. I am sure that it is easier for you to just chalk things up to “hater’ …. but the reality is, “you can’t handle the truth”. The truth is so hard to accept that you have to come up with a cutsey little BHU thingamajig. And now it all makes sense to you.
I am not the guy you should be irritated with ….. I didn’t lie to you (over and over again). I have never treated you like an idiot (kind of like what your trying to do to me in your post). Don’t shoot the messenger here.
Quite honestly …. during the dog days of summer there really isn’t much going on in College Football. Had tOSU not imploded than we may very well be talking about the Oregon Ducks and their investigation right now. So I appreciate that the heat and spotlight hasn’t been on us. If Oregon is found to be running amuck with no institutional control ….. you won’t see me defending their actions. There should be accountability and it start with ME.
The reason why this “Quacking Duck” is here …… isn’t to hate.
I just like hanging out with Nuts. There isn’t anything wrong with Nuts ….. unless they are cracked (hint:Carl ……… just joking). Personally, I find it somewhat boring to interact with likeminded Ducks.
No haters here my friend. And quite honestly ….. Gonzo doesn’t really appear to be a hater either.
Yes Tony I am a Buckeye Nut, probably a little cracked to boot. I’m proud of it and will never change.
You should change your name to Superman, you know truth, justice, and the American way. You don’t beed Scarlet and Gray like us Buckeye nut’s, thats the only way you could understand how the Buckeye Nation feels at this time. You are not a hater, for sure, we welcome you with open arms to the blog. We enyoy your posts even though they open the wounds deeper. Never fear my friend OSU will get past this terrible opression we find ourselves under, and come out a better and stronger nation. We
will remain loyal through and through as Buckeye Nuts, our crack’s will heal and once again will reign supreme on the top of College footballs mountain.
Buckeye’s Forever
Thanks Carl …. I actually feel your pain. I wouldn’t be truthful if I didn’t admit that Oregon’s investigation is equally concerning. Not enough information has come to light on it. So, I still reserve some judgement until more is known. I am sure that tOSU will get past this and get back on a positive path.
At this point, just take the next step and embrace your inner Robo Duck Tony….”Tony the ‘Quacking Robo Duck’”
Did you have to go there??
The Robo Duck just makes me want to pull up my skirt and run away like a little girl. I still feel humiliated everytime it is brought up. It has forever embarrassed and tarnished the University of Oregon. I would rather be under NCAA investigation …. then bring back the Robo Duck. Although, I am still somewhat amused with the BIG 10′s “Leaders and Legends” theme. Bottom line …. “Marketing people” and football are a bad combination.
I ask myself,”Do I spend quality time to restate my point?”
Limited time, as dinner needs to get prepared … so … here goes:
I am well aware what you and others are trying to do. You do not know (or maybe ‘understand’) what I, and the Buckeye Nation, are trying to do. We are “moving on.”
I cannot state it any more clearly. Moving forward to me (and many others) means = we accept what happened, acknowledged it does not comport with proper behavior, and redouble our efforts to do better.
Our focus is now on “doing better.”
That, sadly, is not what you and Gonzo want us to do right now.
Happily, you are not the master of our destiny. We are.
Did I make myself clear — I tried.
Kilt has so aptly said what I was trying to express in the headline of this article. We recognize that mistakes have been made. It is time to fix those mistakes so that they don’t happen again and look toward a better future.
We close the page on the Jim Tressel era (and on a smaller scale, the Terrell Pryor era) and look with anticipation to the next – no matter what that may bring.
You know, after losing the national championship game to Florida, I quite proudly approached Florida fans in the parking lot of the Glen Dale stadium and announced, “In the morning I will still be a Buckeye.”
That’s exactly how I feel now (although granted, it’s around 9:45 a.m. and I haven’t had quite as much tailgating as I did that evening).
Tomorrow, I will still proudly declare that I am a Buckeye and will continue to do so until the day that I die.
Kilt, So I was suppose to take your BHU posting as to mean that you were “moving on”? In reality the post was pompous, ignorant, and sarcastic. Kind of funny that you think that it “clearly” stated that you and Buckeye Nation moved on and somehow your second post merely restates your first.
Here is the deal ….. Did you not spend the time to read the link provided by Not Alan? Unfortunately it is not “time to move on” because more details are coming out daily. Now your saying that you will “redouble our efforts to do better”? Who exactly is going to lead this charge to “do better”…. Gene Smith and Gordon Gee??? Wow, this must give you great comfort. Aren’t these the same guys that helped create this mess? Your comment about “redoubling your efforts” somehow suggests that there was an original effort to “doing good”. Isn’t this what the whole NCAA investigation is all about …… tOSU wasn’t doing good. They were not playing within the rules of the game and I think the term “Lack of Institutional Control” is right around the corner. If this sports trader actually gave TP paper checks that were deposited into his bank account … then it is a done deal. Why was this violation not discovered during tOSU’s “thorough” investigation back in December???
Here is the value of being able to look at this situation from the “outside” and without emotion:
On December 24th I said that TP would be going to the NFL ….. He’s gone
http://www.thebuckeyeblog.com/terrelle-pryor-highlights/
On March 9th I said that JT should resign …… He did
http://www.thebuckeyeblog.com/ohio-state-ncaa/
On March 23rd I said that the administration was turning a blind eye ….. They did.
http://www.thebuckeyeblog.com/tressel-suspension/
I have been consistently RIGHT about this whole mess. Meanwhile, I have ridden the emotional rollercoaster of shock, disbelief, denial, enable, (etc) with you.
Kilt …..You epitomize why some people don’t like Buckeyes. You live within your own denial and when the evidence is so overwhelming then you just want to sweep it under the rug and hide …. errr …. “move on”. Your first step in “moving on” is to start calling other people “haters” and disrespecting their Universities, Traditions, etc.
On another post you said, “We (those who frequent the BuckeyeBlog) know, what we hold and promote is the envy of many, admired by the multitudes, and done justice by so many that came before, — for generations to come.” – Wow ….. you were able to show your arrogance and denial in the same sentence. “What we hold and promote is the envy of many” – HELLO …YOU ARE BEING INVESTIGATED FOR SERIOUS VIOLATIONS. Vest ….. Gone. TP……Gone. What has tOSU been promoting that anyone should be envious for?? Lack of Institutional Control. Players that only think of themselves and their actions have forever tainted the University? Coaches and Administration officials that routinely turn a “blind eye” to violations. What character traits am I suppose to be admiring? How about tOSU stop talking about their “Great Character” and actually doing it. Sorry, nothing to admire about this whole mess….. you should stop your self-aggrandizing. Nobody wants to be in your shoes right now. I have been tOSU biggest supporter (Not Alan is a close second) in all of this. I have tried to look after the University and not guys that put you here. I have defended tOSU against your own peeps!!! Not Alan and Kirk Herbstreit seem to be the only Buckeyes that are really getting it …… from start to finish. Get rid of the guys that tarnished tOSU. Quit living in denial and accept that your football program has major problems (top to bottom). You can’t simply “move on” because the investigation is still active and you are not done “cleaning house”.
Most importantly ….. quit being arrogant. People don’t dislike Buckeyes because of envy …. they dislike them because of arrogance.
Cheers.
As you live your “self-aggrandizing” life, your pleasure derives from “beating a dead horse.”
For all of your “you heard it here first” self-appreciation, between the two of us it is I who has a clue, mostly me who knows what was/went wrong, and most assuredly me who could step in and tell the remaining young men what they should aspire to. It is now abundantly clear, there are two camps in this discussion — those looking at this for what it is, and those with anger-management issues. Hence the appropriately termed “Buckeye Haters” mantle many so proudly wear. I guess ya gotta be ‘proud’ of something, even if it is really nothing productive.
If you have a faith, unless it is misapplied Islamic whatever, then your insistence to bring someone to their knees for your power trip doesn’t follow any creed. “Forgiveness” is either in your soul, or it isn’t.
Seeing me as “arrogant” is part of your distorted view of Buckeyes. You can have that position, but it doesn’t comport with your “without emotion” statement. Buckeyes are mourning and regrouping, and we have a plan. As for you, has the dead horse responded yet?
Anyhow …
I date from the Woody Hayes era. I am proud to have met the man. His philosophy about molding young men into the leaders of tomorrow is the legacy and tradition of Ohio State I embrace. That is why we embraced Jim Tressel when he was hired. He had it right. He went wrong at some point. I never did. I hope the next leaders of the organization learn this hard lesson, and make the program top notch.
If you have calmed down any, maybe you’ll hear this — the organization has a set-back with what went on the past several years. But our future holds opportunity for the institution and organization to rise above the underbelly, and chart a new era, one every member of the Buckeye Nation expects to be a “class act” with class-men.
I plan to tell this to Luke Fickle.
Kilt1iron,
My “self-aggrandizing” life? Hell no ….. I am a struggling businessman trying to keep afloat in this dismal economy. “We (those who frequent the BuckeyeBlog) know”, that I don’t come on this blog to spew hatred. I have grown quite fond of some of the people here and enjoy the conversation. Obviously we are not going to see eye to eye on some issues because of the “heavy Ohio State bias”. Regardless, many of your fellow (you included) Buckeyes have taken great pleasure in the downfall of other colleges and held tOSU beyond reproach. For example I will use a conversation that we had a year ago to prove my point:
Tony in Beavertown August 3, 2010 at 8:41 pm
I can’t wait to find out what violations the Buckeyes are going to get charged with. Get real …… all of these “Big Programs” are corrupt….. OSU just hasn’t got caught yet. Sorry to bust your bubble Carl.
kilt1iron August 24, 2010 at 12:10 am
TiB —
Say that again?
Uh, the Buckeyes have a history of eating the proverbial “crap sandwich.”
In no particular order …..
Clarett the Criminal
Schlicter the Gambler
Marcus Mareck(sp.) “Tatoo Ink For Brains”
Several promising running backs in the 90?s and 00?s
That Jaamal dude busted in his hometown in Florida for possession and intent to party dawg!
Geeeeez, it seems like it never will end.
Where are the Craig Krenzels? The Eddie Georges? The Chris Speilmans?
Still, we don’t find the gutter like the ‘Canes, the Trojans, etc. [There, I feel better]
Jim August 3, 2010 at 9:59 pm
I wouldn’t hold your breath waiting on Ohio State to get caught.
http://www.thebuckeyeblog.com/ncaa-florida-alabama-michigan/comment-page-1/
Although you aknowledge that tOSU has had some issues in the past ….. you have not “found the gutter like the ‘Canes, the Trojans, etc.” If I look at the names on your list of Clarett, Schlicter, Marcus Marek (don’t know what he did wrong – but, played for my Portland Breakers in ’85), Jaamal Berry, you could also put Woody Hayes in this group – all of there players “individually” did some boneheaded things. I assume by “not finding the gutter” you were trying to say that these other programs had a “Lack of Institutional Control”. Since the “Tat5? scandal broke there has been a steady denial of the facts … Forgive me if I didn’t just sit here and silently nod my head in agreement. Not Alan is the only Buckeye that I recall that was able to look at this mess objectivily. I saw how the faithful Buckeyes turned on Kirk Herbstreit when he spoke the truth and feared that Not Alan would get the same “turn coat” treatment.
Have they been caught yet, Jim?
It was meant to be.
I feel like Sarah Palin. Nice to see people check archival records to prove my position as correct.
…And if he doesn’t win with this “class act”, what will you be telling him then?
Maybe if you’re lucky enough in the future, OSU and the Big 10 can persuade the NCAA to change the rules so they can pay their players legally. Maybe that way you can actually stay out of trouble.
At least there’s a bright side to all this. No one in the Buckeye Nation has to worry about vacating a NC like Auburn will a few years down the road.
As for the haters club comment, (BHU) this is generally the same kind of focus generated by a child when he’s caught with his hand in the cookie jar for the very first time. Lots of denial and determination to change the subject around in another direction. Lots of maturity.
“Lots of maturity.”
That’s rich.
I am not one to tell y’all what to do. If I were to notice in my friends the tendencies I describe in my replies to certain posters, I would recommend they do the following: Be sure to direct their attention to what actions were inappropriate, and admonish them to behave in an appropriate manner.
After reading the retorts from the most persistent commentators here, I reckon you would more likely to urge them to create a laundry list of faults and misdeeds, so as to better define the target of their (your) ill will as “evil incarnate.”
Whatever makes you ‘happy’ [sarc]
As I said before. we true Buckeyes will do our part to learn from the mistakes, and chart a new course to excellence. Constructive & productive.
And “mature.”
“we true Buckeyes will do our part to learn from the mistakes, and chart a new course to excellence. Contructive & productive.”
There’s only one problem with that theory. Why weren’t you doing this in the first place? Are you saying there were actual “mistakes”, as in “I didn’t realize I/we were doing anything wrong” or could you somewhat be suggesting you now realize that knowingly breaking the rules doesn’t work any longer once you are caught in the act?
Please list what ways you now consider to be “more constructive”, while continuing to be productive? This wouldn’t have anything to do with a multitude of your so called outstanding compliance officers would it? Please enlighten me on how your dilligence on this matter will be different in the future.
Sure GonzoHog, I’ll ‘splain myself —
First, I mean the faction of the fan base we (thebuckeyeblog BUCKEYES) represent, we see what is revealed, denounce it promptly, listen for more detail to find the source of the “stain” to our alma mater, and prepare to clean up the mess, however we can.
How?
The BuckeyeNation will reach out and let the organization and institution know how we feel.
I can imagine some more low-key people have already sent the top position-fillers letters, to frame the discussion and focus their expectations. Those people are usually powerful and their words carry weight. Then there are some who will write to the media, and pressure the organization and the institution with the club of the Fourth Estate. Others will garner airtime on sports radio call-in shows, and engage the listening public in lively debate (that is where my faction “schools” the drunktards who do not see what was done as wrong). And the MULTITUDE that constitutes the largest hammer — DONORS — will withhold their money. We are called “Alumni.”
Kinda like what I do to my political party apparatus — you go away from what I believe, and you kiss my money goodbye.
You and me — we don’t see this the same. I look at it as an opportunity to get hold of what is a storied institution, wrest control of it from misguided fwads, and get replacements in those positions that do say “we don’t tolerate cheaters, bums, low-lifes, and selfish jackwagons here @ tOSU”
Maybe we can get someone from TBDBITL to interview the next leadership corps?
Just a head’s up Tony…comments with more than 2 links get caught up as spam and need to be manually approved and since I’ve been out all day, they weren’t being approved.
That said, although I appreciate the diligence of your research, maybe it’s best that we just let that one stay in the spam filter.
C’mon Jim ….. I really wanted that to post! But, alas you are probably right. Time to move.
Here is a fun little link that I ran into today …..
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/life/stories/2011/06/13/parents-dont-regret-naming-their-kids-tressel.html?sid=101
The great thing about Oregon is that they don’t try to cover it up. University employees just go right ahead and break the rules:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6662097&campaign=rss&source=NCFHeadlines
4:30 a.m., suspended license, 100+ miles per hour…but hey, at least they don’t have tattoos.
Who ever said that DUCKS can’t fly?
Jim, I will have to wait until more info comes out about this. According to the reports …. this lady lent the car to someone else. But, I think it is important to note that these football players at Oregon are celebrities around here. Everyone wants to be around/connected to the team and players.
Seriously though …. this looks to be a bonehead move by one of our players. This does not mount to Lack of Institutional Control (yet). I think it will be prudent to let more information come out and see how the University and more specifically Chip Kelly responds to this. Chip has a history of severe penalties and second chances. From what I know right now …… I don’t think this bonehead move should result in Cliff Harris being expelled from the University.
To the faithful Buckeyes …….. You are very welcome. I know you must be incredibly happy to know that we have stole the spotlight from you. Unfortunately it is situations like these that put more flames on the fire re: Will Lyles. Cliff harris should be severely punished for putting us in this situation. The lady that works in Oregons adminstration department should be fired.
I’m not “incredibly happy” about any of this.
I think it is a distraction from the competition on the gridiron.