TOSU Players Apologize Publicly, Sugar Bowl CEO Didn't Want Suspensions

((HT: WBNS-TV Columbus))

The five Ohio State football players who were suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season came public today.

DeVier Posey was the only player of the five who announced that he would return for his senior season in 2011. The others didn't go there...

Posey, quarterback Terrelle Pryor, tailback Daniel "Boom" Herron, offensive lineman Mike Adams and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas were suspended because they received improper benefits for selling awards, gifts and university apparel- stuff they thought was theirs in the first place...

But ask Georgia wideout AJ Green about that whole idea...

All of the players are eligible to play in the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas on January 4th since the NCAA considers the game an exhibition.

A sixth player, Jordan Whiting, must sit out the first game of the 2011 season and pay back $150 for receiving discounted services. He did not attend Tuesday's presser, and no questions were taken by any other of the players on the dais.

Pryor has to repay $2,500 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring, a 2009 Fiesta Bowl sportsmanship award and his 2008 Gold Pants, a gift from the university the team receives for defeating Michigan.

Herron has to repay $1,150 for selling his football jersey, pants and shoes for $1,000 and receiving discounted services worth $150.

Thomas has to repay $1,505 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring for $1,000, his 2008 Gold Pants for $350 and receiving discounted services worth $155.

Adams sold his 2008 Big Ten championship ring and has to repay $1,000.

Posey must repay $1,250 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring for $1,200 and receiving discounted services worth $50.

Those "discounted services" are the artwork on all of their arms and various other body parts- which look quite artsy, by the way...

Here's some of the press conference-slash-parade...


The HQ thinks The Sweater might want to reconsider the idea of having these five guys play against Arkansas...

Jus' sayin'...

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Interesting angle out of Columbus Wednesday from Ken Gordon's article in the Dispatch...

From Gordon, quoting Sugar Bowl CEO Pete Hoolahan:

"I made the point that anything that could be done to preserve the integrity of this year's game, we would greatly appreciate it," Hoolahan said. "That appeal did not fall on deaf ears, and I'm extremely excited about it, that the Buckeyes are coming in at full strength and with no dilution."

Admittedly, his game has had a couple of dogs recently ((or is it Dawgs...???)) with the Hawaii-UGA game and the Cincy-Florida de-baw-cull...

"I appreciate and fully understand the Midwestern values and ethics behind that," Hoolahan said. "But I'm probably thinking of this from a selfish perspective."

Yeah...??? Really...???
Hoolahan didn't want any suspensions, and apparently, isn't get any suspensions...
The HQ still thinks Arkansas will run them out of the building...