In brief: Buckeyes tattooed by NCAA

Football: What started out as a trip to a Columbus tattoo parlor by a couple of football players has created all sorts of mayhem for star quarterback Terrelle Pryor and Ohio State.

Pryor and four teammates were suspended Thursday by the NCAA for the first five games of next season for selling championship rings, jerseys and awards. They also received improper benefits – from up to two years ago – from the tattoo parlor and its owner.

The NCAA said all can still play in the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas on Jan. 4. Ohio State plans to appeal, hoping the number of games might be reduced.

Pryor also sold a sportsmanship award from the 2008 Fiesta Bowl along with his 2008 Big Ten championship ring. More egregious to Ohio State fans, he sold a “gold pants” trinket – an iconic charm given to players who are a part of a victory over archrival Michigan.

His teammates also sold Big Ten championship rings – the Buckeyes have won the last six conference titles – plus football jerseys, pants and shoes.

Along with Pryor, leading rusher Daniel “Boom” Herron, No. 2 wide receiver DeVier Posey, All-Big Ten offensive tackle Mike Adams and backup defensive end Solomon Thomas must sit out the five games and donate $1,000 to $2,500 – the value of the things they sold or the discounts they received – to charity.

A sixth player, freshman linebacker Jordan Whiting, must sit out the first game of the 2011 season and pay $150 to a charity.

Associated Press

Your chance to play with Tiger

Golf: An amateur golfer will get the chance to play with Tiger Woods at the pro-am tournament before the Dubai Desert Classic in February.

Woods often plays pro-am tournaments, but amateurs generally pay for their place and are not guaranteed a chance to play with the second-ranked Woods. In the case of Dubai, there is no charge to register and the player will be part of his foursome.

Anyone in the world with a “valid handicap” can register at www.golfindubai.org and the winner will be picked two weeks ahead of the Feb. 9 tournament. Men must have a handicap of 18 or better and women must have 26 or better.

Associated Press