Terrelle 'Tattoo' Pryor and OSU Buckeyes

"My thing is, a lot of times you have to put yourself in that situation" - University of Wisconsin junior free safety Aaron Henry

Terrelle Pryor photo courtesy: terrelle-pryor.org

(CLEVELAND) - Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and five other players are suspended for up to five games set for the coming season by the NCAA.

Their crime?

Selling championship rings and memorabilia to help their families financially, and receiving discounts from a tattoo parlor.

These shining stars of college sports are in big trouble, yet large numbers of supporters are speaking out and calling the whole matter ridiculous.

They are pointing to the millions of dollars in profits that will be seen as a result of this epic sport, and wondering why the college students who are paying the price to take the school to this level, are being treated like criminals.

Last week an NCAA spokesman told The Associated Press players are allowed to play in a championship or bowl game if, "[They] were not aware they were committing violations."

University of Wisconsin junior free safety Aaron Henry was quoted in the Journal Times explaining how many will not understand over what amounts to, a cultural barrier.

Henry says he has a simple rule when it comes to judging the actions of others.

"My thing is, a lot of times you have to put yourself in that situation," Henry said Wednesday.

"Unless you were brought up like him, you may not understand it.

So as the OSU Coach Jim Tressel enjoys his $3.5 million salary and all the perks that go with it, and Ohio State sees $57 million, the players are grounded for receiving a comparatively small amount in proceeds. Some think the punishment is the correct thing for the officials to do, but they might have jumped the shark this time.

Terrelle “Tattoo” Pryor & OSU Buckeyes

Well, Ohio State University’s return on football is 57 million per year,
And it pumps 100 million into the restaurants and shops that are near,
When their star quarterback and 4 others made up to 2,500. it’s news,
Selling paraphernalia from the school & getting discounts on tattoos.

OSU makes $57 million players get two thousand five hundred, how grand,
They get not borrow championship rings and miniature gold pants and,
Jersey’s plus other non-expensive items because football they played,
Now they are shot with a five game suspension, what’s that you say?

It costs Ohio State $110, to send scholarship players through school,
But don’t forget the local economy makes one hundred million too,
I am no math major but a few thousand versus $157 million dollars,
And if it wasn’t for these talented players, who would even bother?

OSU Coach Jim Tressel has a base salary of 3.5 million plus perks,
Students get pennies in comparison on their property ouch that hurts,
Because it was given to them & it was not borrowed or from a loan,
2 years before, NCAA suspends when they should leave them alone.

Student athletes are not allowed to receive favors or get discounts,
They cannot use their persona aka charm no matter what the amount,
In the long run OSU and schools like them make billions of bucks,
Screw the players responsible seeking a little cash down on their luck.

Sure they pay no tuition however look what the school gets in return,
Add in the fact most will not turn pro neither will a degree be earned,
After four or five years no cap & gown, shoe contract, on the street,
They’re only important as long as on Saturday they might compete.

Leading rusher Dan Herron, wide receiver DeVier Posey are in the fray,
And all because they also sold mementos instead of giving them away,
All Big Ten tackle Mike Adams with defensive end Solomon Thomas,
These student athletes committed no crime and they broke no promise.

Okay NCAA, instead of dorms just house them on slave ships,
And only when their game is out of state can they go on a trip,
Any further problems then the only time you remove the chain,
Is for practice, meals, classes, promotions and any home game.

So 5 players helping bring over 6 hundred million in four years time,
While in terms of a grand their take was less than around one dime,
That cost difference give or take is.0006% but they pay five games?
If I had a degree in Psychology I’d declare this diagnosis, “Insane!”

College sports is not about athletics $$$ makes it a business nothing more,
Multi-billion dollar TV deals & licensing rights are like the pros not the poor,
NFL, MLB, NBA have unions & agents making sure players get paid to play,
The amount of money generated in college it should be the exact same way.

Now Pryor has since apologized and my question to anyone is why?
By doing nothing more than profiting from your own slice of the pie?
Baked in Terrelle’s oven of sweat, tears, sacrifice and creative pain,
Only to humble yourself because for another year, you must remain.

Right now is not a good time to leave because all of the scouts know,
Even by generating millions you’d be a second round pick in the pros,
Same for the other four guys their prospects in the draft would be low,
So, seeing how the, “Masters” will not change stick together and grow.

No star athletes, stellar performances, how would fans spend their day?
Might the pubs be full or pizza deliveries, debating rules of the NCAA?
Luke 10:7, “for the worker deserves his wages” are they not the ones?
No championship superstars-teammates some colleges might be done.

By Luke Easter

Luke Easter is a poet who writes about things that are very close to the heart of Salem-News.com. Another former U.S. Marine, Luke heals the world with an approach that reaches people on a different level, one known for centuries, yet too often forgotten in the one we live in.

We live in a world of social & economic injustice. The main reason for founding America in the first place was to relieve the oppression of the King of England. Patrick Henry said it best, “give me liberty or give me death.” And yet, all too often death seems to be the only way out. Why is there such a high suicide rate especially among teens, in the land of the free & the home of the brave? What makes headlines? Good news? Ha! More depressing stories than anything else. I feel poetry takes an edge off the hurt of bad news while still delivering it but in a, “glitzy” sort of way. Giving a different perspective. Kind of like slap in the face as opposed to a knife in the back. At least with the slap you’ll live to see another day and you will know whom it’s from. I wasn’t here for the beginning of the world but at 59, I just might be here for the end.

Even though it’s still a knife, rhyme poetry helps to dull the blade. And that’s my job. You can write to Luke Easter at: lyricsfromlucas@aol.com