The mess Jim Tressel has found himself in – as well as Ohio State University – doesn’t look pretty, especially when you read the e-mails that went back and forth between Tressel and an unidentified individual that proved unequivocally that Tressel knew about Ohio State football players selling or trading memorabilia for tattoos and other favors long before the school – and Tressel – said they knew.
The first e-mail, dated April 2, 2010 informs Tressel of the Federal Government’s raiding of Eddie Rife. Rife owned the tattoo parlor that was raided, where ‘a lot of Ohio State memorabilia, including championship rings’ were found.
Tressel responded the same day to that message with a short reply saying he would look into it:
Thanks
…I will get on it ASAP…Happy Easter to you as well !! Go Bucks !! jt
The nest e-mail comes two weeks later, with further details on what Buckeyes players were involved and what they were involved with. While player names were blacked out, items such as championship rings, cleats, signed jerseys, 9 Big Ten Championship Rings, and a National Championship Ring.
An interesting part of the e-mail, at least to me, as towards the bottom when the anonymous source stated his intentions to try and get these items back from the Federal Government. Was this to try and clear Ohio State from the investigation?
Again, Tressel’s response was concise, though it appears he knew he was attempting to cover something up:
I hear you !! It is unbelievable !! Thanks for your help….keep me posted as to what I need to do if anything. I will keep pounding these kids hoping they grow up…jt
The entire exchange doesn’t look good at any level. Something tells me we haven’t heard the last of all this, despite Ohio State’s self-imposed sanctions on Tressel earlier this evening.