I’m not a big sports fan and although I like to take in the odd college basketball game during March Madness, I’m not much of an NCAA fan, either. That being said, there are plenty of NCAA fans out there and whether it’s football or basketball or whatever, if it’s NCAA, there is a strong fan base.
One of the things that I like about the NCAA is that it seems to me that it keeps the players in line and through a variety of strict rules, prevents its players from taking endorsement deals with major corporations and their products. In this way the players are there to play sports and be athletes – not just spokespeople for deodorant or soft drinks. The actual sport comes first and that’s nice to see.
You wouldn’t think that anything having to do with the NCAA and the strict rules of what players can and can’t do would have anything to do with tattoos, but oh no my friends, that’s where you’re wrong. Five Ohio State football players have been suspended after it was discovered that the players traded autographs and various items of memorabilia for tattoos. Terrelle Pryor, Devier Posey, Solomon Thomas, Daniel Herron, and Mike Adams will have to sit out on the first five games of the Ohio St. Buckeyes 2011 season. In addition to the suspension, the players will also have to pay back the cost of the items that they traded for their tattoos.
‘Adams must repay $1,000 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring and 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, while 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.’
Ahhh, the enticing allure of tattoos. Bad move on the part of these guys. I do hope that the tattoos are at least good ones. No word as of yet if the NCAA will force the players to cut off their tattoos and hand them in as well. Ha.