Ohio State shows lack of integrity

The press conference with Ohio State’s Jim Tressel and Gene Smith last week made me sick. 

Athletic director Smith admitted Ohio State would not have come forward (about NCAA violations) at this time if there had not been a leak.

  Tressel talked about losing players to death and to drug use and later claimed he was not engaging in self-pity. He admitted he received e-mails warning him about the investigation into possible infractions. He claimed he did not report the e-mails (as NCAA rules mandate) because he was too busy worrying about the players and seizing upon a “teachable moment.”  He claimed he was further deterred from disclosure because the e-mails he received requested confidentiality.

  What a crock. Internet reporting has taught us that e-mails and confidentiality are mutually exclusive. Finally, Tressel tried to deflect the seriousness of his transgression by saying at least the players weren’t involved in dealing drugs and broke no laws.

Tressel kept his mouth shut so he wouldn’t hurt OSU’s chances of having a great football season. He and Smith chose to keep mum in hopes that the matter would not come to light, at least until after the bowl games.

I can only hope the NCAA is not distracted by all the gorilla dust thrown up by Tressel and comes down hard on him and OSU.

Terry Griner

Spokane