Reynolds issues apology (Buckeyes & Badgers)

The Columbus Dispatch ^ | October 13, 2003 | Tim May and Bob Baptist

[flutters]

Tressel also passes along regrets to Badgers; Big Ten might offer its views today

Ohio State linebacker Robert Reynolds last night issued an apology to Wisconsin’s Jim Sorgi for the chokehold he put on the quarterback that knocked him out of the Badgers’ upset win over the Buckeyes.

Reynolds’ action at the bottom of a pile with 5:26 left in the third quarter was caught by television cameras. He was seen probing at Sorgi’s throat as the quarterback lay prone on the Camp Randall Stadium field at the end of a short run.

Reynolds apologized to Sorgi and Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez yesterday, said an OSU spokesman.

"I talked to coach Alvarez and to Jim Sorgi earlier today and apologized for my actions," Reynolds said in a statement released by OSU late last night. "I lost my poise and there is no excuse for that. That is certainly not characteristic of Ohio State football.

"I take full responsibility for my action. As a senior, I have a responsibility to set a better example."

OSU coach Jim Tressel said he also apologized to Alvarez on behalf of OSU and Reynolds.

"Having spent the past three years with Rob, I truly believe this is an isolated incident and out of character for him," Tressel said. "He has apologized to me and is willing to accept the consequences of his behavior."

The consequences might be determined today when Big Ten officials are expected to look into the incident. Yesterday, spokesman Scott Chipman said the conference office had no comment on whether Reynolds might be facing a suspension.

"Any sports-like conduct would be reviewed following the weekend," Chipman said.

Sorgi had to be attended to on the field by Wisconsin personnel after motioning that he could not breathe. He eventually walked off the field but did not return.

Backup Matt Schabert led the Badgers to the 17-10 victory with some heroics in the closing minutes. Afterward, Alvarez and some Badgers players expressed concern about what happened to their starter.

While Alvarez couched his remarks with "You saw the film," his players were outspoken.

Center Donovan Raiola had rushed to the rescue when he saw Reynolds pinning down Sorgi.

"That’s our quarterback, and whenever something like that happens, I’m going after whoever is on him, especially late like that, after the play," Raiola said.

The replays showed Reynolds reaching into Sorgi’s throat area for about two seconds.

"I couldn’t see what was happening," Raiola said. "I just went in with the mentality that I was going to get this guy off him."

Afterward, Raiola and other Wisconsin players vented.

"That’s what happens when the No. 3 team in the nation gets frustrated and they want to take it out on the team beating them up," fullback Matt Bernstein said. "I know we took it to them harder after that."

Raiola said, "To tell you the truth, I have no respect for them. We beat them, we pounded the ball at them, and after what they did, I’ve lost all respect for Ohio State. I don’t care who they are. "We beat them. We just ended their (19-game winning) streak. We beat the defending national champs."

tmay@dispatch.com

bbaptist@dispatch.com

[flutters]

Ohio State fans are pretty upset with Reynolds. I hope he is suspended for the rest of the season.

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[Skip Ripley]

That kid is will be lucky if a suspension is all he gets. It would seem that assault charges are in order.

[flutters]

Are they allowed to press legal charges?

[shamusotoole]

My guess is that Reynolds Deliberately broke Sorgi's Hyoid Bone. Last year, a high school girl, basketball player collapsed and died.

It is serious business. Suspension might include jail time as well.

[longhorn too]

I was watching the game and saw the incident, the Ohio State player was definitely trying to put the Wisconsin QB out of the game. This was a deliberate act and criminal charges should be filed on the Ohio State player.

[UB355]

They will not due anything to the player in question. Wasn't it Woody Hayes who cold cocked some oponent's player as he ran down the sidelines ? Do I remember the incident correctly? Ohio State Scumballs.

[UB355]

They will not due anything to the player in question. Wasn't it Woody Hayes who cold cocked some oponent's player as he ran down the sidelines ? Do I remember the incident correctly? Ohio State Scumballs.

[w_over_w]

This was a deliberate act and criminal charges should be filed on the Ohio State player.

Roger that. It made me sick . . . I thought I was witnessing a crime. Football is violent enough without deliberate attempts to mame a person. If he didn't like the guy he could do what Nebraska players do . . . spit in the porthole of the helmet. I hated that, but it didn't cause injury . . . just frustration.

[Beck_isright]

"That is certainly not characteristic of Ohio State football."

Yes it is.

[SJSAMPLE]

Woody clocked of UofM player in the neck, when he happened to run the ball out of bounds right next to Woody. I think that was his las season, as he was fired for it.

[sleepwalker]

Are you a Michigan grad? sounds like it.

[staytrue]

That was disgusting. He will probably be the first round draft pick for the Raiders though. Romanowski is retiring.

[Beck_isright]

University of Miami.

And we discontinued the practice of using inelligible players when Dennis E. was allowed (encouraged actually) to leave.

[Therapist]

No, it wasn't against Michigan. Woody clocked a player in a bowl game. I believe they were playing Clemson. Although it may have been South Carolina, it was definitely one of those redneck Jethro schools.

[lorrainer]

Dude should be in jail. But you know that he'll get drafted to any team Romanowski happens to be on next year.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The Hawkeyes visit Columbus this weekend. Hope they can keep the class they're known for.

[Beck_isright]

I hope Iowa wins by 30.

[Beck_isright]

I agree with you. I was swearing at the television when I saw that cheap shot.

[Afronaut]

Why not fight after school?