Terrelle Pryor and the “Tattoo 5” want Ohio State football’s wins, records from 2010 restored.
With name, image and likeness going into effect in some states earlier this month, former Ohio State football quarterback Terrelle Pryor and the rest of the “Tattoo 5” want to see their 2010 accomplishments and wins restored at their beloved alma mater.
“The affirmation of NCAA athletes’ rights to make a living from their name, image, and likeness is a huge step in the right direction,” wrote the “Tattoo 5” in a statement Tuesday. “Armed with the correct resources and support, we know they’ll show what we felt to be true all along — not letting athletes capitalize on what ultimately is their hard work was unjust and unnecessary.”
Pryor and the “Tattoo 5” received improper benefits while in school during the 2010 NCAA season. Ohio State had to vacate all 12 of its wins, its seven conference victories and BCS bowl victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks. This scandal ultimately led to long-time head coach Jim Tressel resigning from his post. Urban Meyer’s first Ohio State team in 2012 was not bowl-eligible.
Here is the full message Pryor and the “Tattoo 5” put out in a statement on Tuesday morning.
The time has come @NCAA @OSU_AD @OhioStAthletics @Channel75live @DPo8 @BOOMHERRON1 #solomonThomas @AdamSchefter we should get our wins back records back and legacy of @JimTressel5 back and not looked past it! NCAA suspended us but let us play in the sugar bowl win vs Arkansas pic.twitter.com/pGpEvJCbx5
— Terrelle Pryor SR (@TerrellePryor) July 13, 2021
Ohio State football: Terrelle Pryor want wins, records restored
Little by little, the NCAA is losing its ground to stand on when it comes to name, image and likeness. While Pryor and company’s NCAA violations occurred well before the dawn of NIL in college sports, the NCAA does face pressure to right wrongs from yesteryear. The most notable one is returning USC Trojans legend Reggie Bush his 2005 Heisman Trophy. That is inevitable.
Overall, had it not been for the “Tattoo 5”, Tressel would have coached much longer in Columbus. Meyer may have stayed retired and continued to work for ESPN as a college football analyst than taking over for interim head coach Luke Fickell in 2012. While Ohio State has absolutely recovered as a program from this incident, the 2010 college season remains a black mark on the university.
The NCAA may not waiver in this case, but you have to applaud Pryor and the “Tattoo 5” for trying.
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