A woman said on Monday that that she saw several Ohio State football players at a Columbustattoo parlor at the center of an NCAA investigation that led to the resignation of coach JimTressel.
The woman, who requested anonymity because of concern for her family, told 10 Investigates' PaulAker that she saw the players at Fine Line Ink tattoos in December.
She claimed that she saw quarterback Terrelle Pryor and others getting their tattoos. Thewoman took pictures, including a picture of an autographed football that she said somebody close tothe tattoo shop told her that players had just traded for body art
"They had (the autographed football) given to him (and) said they had given it to him earlier inthe day," the woman said. "They got the football for tattoos. I wish I had a footballto give them."
The deal allegedly came long after Tressel knew of the problem. Columbus attorney andformer Ohio State player Chris Cicero e-mailed Tressel about similar problems in April 2010.
The woman who spoke with Aker said that she was in the tattoo shop on Dec. 7, just beforefederal authorities notified Ohio State of the problem.
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She also said that a tattooed Buckeye fan who was seen in a picture was the person who explainedwhat was happening. She said that he had free roam of the business and may have been anoff-duty tattoo artist. The woman claimed that he told her the shop had even received ticketsto Ohio State's January Sugar Bowl game against Arkansas.
"I asked them, 'Where did you guys get the tickets? How did you get the tickets?' shesaid. "And he said, 'It's the family members of the players felt they couldn't win the gameand some of the family members couldn't afford to travel there and stay there and so some of familyhad given the tickets to the people at the tattoo shop.'"
The pictures the woman showed 10 Investigates also included another player who has not beenaccused of any wrongdoing.
It was not immediately clear whether the university knew about the incident happening sorecently or what it may have known about the player involved.
No one connected to the investigation was available for comment.
Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for continuing coverage.
Previous Stories:
May 31, 2011: New Ohio State Football Allegations Bring NCAA To Columbus
May 31: 2011: Tressel Speaks To Players In Team Meeting
May 31, 2011: Ohio State, NCAA Open Investigation Into Terrelle Pryor
May 30, 2011: Sports Illustrated: At Least 28 Ohio State Players Traded, Sold Memorabilia
May 30, 2011: Jim Tressel Resigns At Ohio State
