Pryor to not cooperate with NCAA investigation of OSU

Submitted by rbgoblue on

I think the writing was on the wall when he left OSU, but came from his agent today

 

In other news, James also said that Pryor will no longer cooperate with NCAA investigators looking into Ohio State's football program, ex-players and current players.

"He doesn't need a reason (to talk to them). He's no longer a student-athlete," said James, who added that Pryor doesn't feel he owes the NCAA any answers. "They're not going to give him or any other student-athlete any due process rights to speak of, so he's moved on."

Probably good news for OSU, as he likely has a lot of dirt on a lot of current players.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6644544

Tater

June 9th, 2011 at 2:35 PM ^

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this yet on MGB, but channel 10 out of Columbus found out that Dennis Talbott has a van with a "TPRYOR" vanity plate.  They checked their facts and found that it is, indeed, registered to Talbott.

I don't know whether this is corrupt or just plain creepy, but I have a feeling Talbott's career in sports photography is pretty much over at this point.

http://www.10tv.com/live/content/teninvestigates/stories/2011/06/08/story-ohio-state-football-terrelle-pryor-talbott.html?sid=102

Zone Left

June 9th, 2011 at 2:36 PM ^

This is probably neutral for OSU. If Pryor cooperates fully, maybe he exposes more wrongdoing by other players. On the other hand, he could also provide reasons why the behaviors happened. Now, the NCAA has to try and figure out where all of those cars came from, where the tats came from, how he got all of the equipment he supposedly sold, how he's paying his lawyer's fees, etc.

Given that the NCAA doesn't have to meet a legal burden of proof, it's just going to make its decision based on the information it has and OSU will have to live with the results. That's basically what the NCAA did with USC.

Pryor is going to be hurt by this, however. The NFL is going to give serious weight to his character issues. Someone will take him eventually, he's too talented to not get a shot, but he'll have a lowish for the NFL salary and won't have much room for error.

WolvinLA2

June 9th, 2011 at 3:51 PM ^

I have no doubt that some team will take a chance on him and sign him, but I also have no doubt that said contract would be minimal and TP will have to prove himself in the NFL to stay more than a year or two. 600k a year for two years will not be enough for TP to live on for very long, especially with his lifestyle.

redhousewolverine

June 9th, 2011 at 2:59 PM ^

I can't believe the lawyer would say that the NCAA would not give him or any other student athlete any due process rights to speak of, so he left. It is pathetic people/lawyers can make ridiculous claims to try and defend their position or build an image for the public.

sandiego

June 9th, 2011 at 3:10 PM ^

Something along the lines of:

Bylaw FU.2 - If a student-athlete of the institution under investigation, leaves the institution during the course of the investigation and says FU to the NCAA by refusing to cooperate during the investigation, the NCAA retains sole discretion to make the factual determination as to the veracity of allegations which may have been collaborated or denied by said student athlete.

Underlying Policy - The institution can exert enourmous pressure on the former student athtete to coopreate IF THEY CHOOSE TO DO SO.  Under current rules, there is no incentive to ask the student to cooperate.  If the NCAA was able to essentially say, "Fine don't cooperate.  We will take every allegation as true until you or the student-athlete show it is false.", it would provide tremendous incentive for the institution and the athlete to continue to cooperate.

Otherwise, I see the Reggie Bush/Terrelle Pryor solution becoming systemic when violations are uncovered - simply leave the institution, have boosters line up for financial support while you continue your training for the next regular or supplemental draft and the institution will be safe.

justingoblue

June 9th, 2011 at 3:18 PM ^

But the whole point is that nobody can put pressure on Pryor to talk to the NCAA. What would he have to gain? AFAIK they can't prevent him from returning for his degree (haha) for not cooperating with the NCAA, they can't threaten him with wiping out record books since it's already likely to happen, how exactly can they put pressure on a former student athlete?

Wendyk5

June 9th, 2011 at 4:02 PM ^

Unlike Reggie Bush, he has nothing (Heisman) to lose. And he's proven that he's a selfish player. Unless he's done something illegal, he has absolutely nothing to lose from not cooperating with the NCAA. 

I happen to think he's one of the stupidest players that's ever reached the elite level in college football, on the field and off. I don't think character means much to him or tOSU. The taste of winning has sullied their consciences. The only thing that could fundamentally change a person like him is an experience like his hero, Michael Vick, had. Hit rock bottom, lose everything, perhaps spend time in prison. Until that happens, he's in it for himself regardless of who he drags down along the way. So he'd better succeed in the NFL because if he doesn't, he will lose the support of all the hangers-on around him. He'll be just another sad story you see on Bryant Gumbel's Real Sports. 

 

 

Wolverine 73

June 9th, 2011 at 6:26 PM ^

Subpoena power is the key.  If the IRS gets interested, or if someone unwisely files a lawsuit for libel, then it becomes impossible or at least very difficult to hide behind student privacy or refusals to talk.  Should either happen, expect all sorts of additional dirt to be exposed.  Even without that option, the other kids all have to cooperate with the NCAA, and you have to think they know plenty about TP and won't jeopardize their futures by lying about things where they might get caught in the lies.

Bobby Boucher

June 9th, 2011 at 9:43 PM ^

TP not cooperating with the NCAA is kind of like guilty criminals not cooperating with the police.  Everybody knows, but they just can't prove it without the signed confession!!