NCAA Fairness
January 3, 2011
My sixth grade homeroom teacher Mr. Garcia had a motto that went something like "Don't insult my intelligence, I don't insult yours."
Today I echo Mr. G.'s saying towards the NCAA.
On Dec. 29 the NCAA issued a statement regarding the fairness of the delayed suspensions of Terrelle Pryor and four other Ohio State football players until next season. Those players will be allowed to play in the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas.
The last paragraph of the statement included the following: "Finally, the notion that the NCAA is selective with its eligibility decisions and rules enforcement is another myth with no basis in fact. Money is not a motivator or factor as to why one school would get a particular decision over another."
Really, so the fact that one of the most prestigious programs in college football is playing in a BCS bowl in front of a nationally televised audience isn't a motivator?
Don't insult my intelligence.
Lets look at what happened at the other OSU last season.
Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant was suspended for one year by the NCAA for lying about contact he had with former NFL star Deion Sanders.
I understand that Bryant should been truthful from the start, but he didn't break any rules by talking to Prime Time.
Cash, greenbacks, mullah, that's why Bryant didn't get a fair shake.
According to the latest U.S. Dept. of Education Equity in Athletics report for the 2008-09 academic year Ohio State blew away Oklahoma State in football revenue.\
That year the Buckeyes lost to Texas in the Fiesta Bowl and had a net revenue of $35.89 million, second in the Big 10 and 10th overall nationally.
By comparison the Oklahoma State's net revenue that season totaled only $14.04 millions, sixth in the Big 12 and 25th nationally.
The five Buckeyes are eligible to return to action Oct. 8 against Nebraska. They will miss non-conference games against Akron, Toledo, Colorado, and a rebuilding Miami program along with a Big 10 home game against Michigan State.
And Bryant lost most of his junior year, not for breaking any NCAA rules, but for a little white lie.
There is no doubt in my mind that this ruling would have different if the Buckeyes were in a non-BCS bowl or if Bryant played for Ohio State, Penn State, Texas or another one of college footballs blue blood programs instead of Oklahoma State.
In the end the NCAA will get what it wants, but won't admit to and Pryor will play in perhaps his final game as a Buckeye and millions will watch.
But
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