COLUMBUS, Ohio — The 2010 season of the Ohio State University football team, vacated after a memorabilia-for-cash scandal, should be restored because of recent changes allowing college athletes to be compensated, a state lawmaker argues.
The vacating of the season followed revelations that players in 2009 and 2010 accepted cash and free or discounted tattoos from a Columbus tattoo parlor owner and also traded memorabilia like championship rings for cash. The scandal also led to the resignation of then Coach Jim Tressel, now president of Youngstown State University.
Last year, the NCAA for the first time allowed athletes at the highest levels of college sports to be compensated for the use of their name, image or likeness.
The NCAA’s elimination of Ohio State’s 2010 12-1 season, including a Sugar Bowl win, unfairly hurt players, fans and coaches who had nothing to do with the scandal, Rep. Brian Stewart, a Republican from Ashville in central Ohio, told The Columbus Dispatch.
“The NCAA’s view of what is permissible for players has changed drastically in the last twelve years,” said Stewart, an Ohio State grad.
Stewart is sponsoring a symbolic resolution to restore the season.
Last summer, five members of the 2010 team are called on the NCAA to reinstate the wins and records after the passing of name, image and likeness rules.
Terrelle Pryor posted a statement signed by him and four other players, DeVier Posey, Boom Herron Mike Adams and Solomon Thomas on July 13.
Weeks later, the NCAA issued a statement saying although athletes can now benefit from the NIL rules, the rules do not permit "pay-for-play type arrangements."
“The NCAA infractions process exists to promote fairness in college sports. The rules that govern fair play are voted on, agreed to and expected to be upheld by all NCAA member schools. Previous penalties, including those that are several years old, will not be re-evaluated or reconsidered based on the recent changes to NIL rules.”
