Jim Tressel Outlook Columbus – NCAA College Football

Ohio State’s Jim Tressel shows another side in his answers to an Outlook Columbus interview.

Rethinking Jim Tressel

I may have to rethink my opinion of Jim Tressel. I’ve never been shy in my criticism of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Year in, year out, I believe they are the most overrated team in NCAA college football. I also think serious eyebrows have to be raised at any program that would recruit and sign the likes of Maurice Clarett, perhaps one of the most corrupt players in college football history–even though he was eventually dismissed from the team.

Although no direct knowledge of Clarett’s dealings has ever been connected to Tressel or the Ohio State program and thus no actual accusations can be made, it is hard to believe that the writing was not already on the wall that Clarett equalled trouble when Ohio State was recruiting him. At best it seems Tressel and the Buckeyes were willing to look the other way in order to sign a player who could bring home a championship (which Clarett did in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl over the Miami Hurricanes); at worst, there may have been tacit consent of Clarett’s violations until the negative side-effects of his criminal activity devolved to such an extent that they outweighed his contributions on the playing field.

That having been said… Tressel’s candid answers regarding homosexuality in sports as detailed on Yahoo! Sports–and that he addressed the issue for a gay publication, Outlook Columbus, at all. I haven’t read the original Outlook article, but it is always a step forward to see an otherwise ignored issue receive press.

• September 15, 2009 -- The Mighty… MAC? (0)