HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL OF YOU AND TO ALL WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY. WITHOUT YOUR BRAVE SERVICE FOR THE DEFENSE OF THIS GREAT LAND, WE WOULD BE A RATHER LARGE CUBA.
On this glorious yet somber national holiday, we were awakened by the stunning news that patriot and erstwhile college football coach of THE Ohio State University Buckeyes, Jim Tressel, 58, resigned from his 10 year post due to his involvement in the current NCAA firestorm caused by his players and paid for by Tressel's own dismissal.
Early this morning on a quiet newsday, Tressel's statement rocked the sleeping media world from its holiday slumber. "After meeting with university officials, we agreed that in the best interest of Ohio State University that I resign as the head football coach. The appreciation that my wife, Ellen, and I have for the Buckeye Nation is immeasurable."
Tressel, an Ohio native, an arguably Ohio's favorite son, had served 10 glorious years as the Buckeyes head coach. His record at Ohio State was 106-22. 6-4 in Bowl games. Won a national Championship in 2002. And for most Buckeye fans, the most important stat of his tenure was his 9-1 record against their hated rival to the north, Michigan. For all of his winning efforts, Tressel became the highest paid public employee in the Buckeye State at $3.5MIL a year plus perks and incentives.
In short, the NCAA charged some of Tressel's star players, including their senior starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor, with selling their championship rings, jerseys and what not to an alleged Columbus drug dealer/tattoo artist for tattoos. Yes, you read that right. Not for money but for tattoos. Kinda validates the opinion of most, that college football players aren't the brightest beacons in the room. Wait, add college football coaches to that dubious description.
Tressel's fault was that he knew about it and lied to the NCAA during its investigation to protect his players, his program and himself, although not necessarily in that order. The report stated, "Tressel failed to deport himself with honesty and integrity." That one sentence doomed Tressel. Ann Arbor must be partying like it's 1999 to borrow a line from Michigan native, pop icon, Prince.
So, the decent man in the grey sweater vest has fallen from his lofty perch at the Horseshoe. His poor judgement negated his contract...adios to several million dollars. His legacy is tarnished. The University is embarrassed. Crimes were committed by players under his watch. But the cover-up by Tressel was worse. And for what? A few ugly badass tattoos followed by lies. "It just don't make no goddam sense."
But, let's put some healthy perspective into this pathetic and perverse melodrama above...Tressel will survive this. He still has his life. He has tons of money. And his family, from what I know, is still intact. That's not the case at Camp Liberty in Iraq pictured above. Our brave men and women in uniform are putting their lives on the line everyday without fanfare and headlines for us and for those who cannot defend themselves against terror. They have no safety net just each other. Most come from nothing and will return to nothing after their deployments. Tressel will go on and prosper. Our soldiers survival and future health is not so assured.
So, on this Memorial Day, remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this great land. They gave it all to serve and for that we honor them today. But in reality, each day should be memorial day. Let us never forget them.
God bless our troops serving our country in the world's badlands.
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