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

[lorrainer]

But it's OK. They apologized. </sarcasm>

[TomHarkinIsNotFromIowa]

Watching it gave me the creeps. Jail time. His football career should be over.

[Beck_isright]

Oh yes. Tressel was so convincing. (eyes rolling)

[TomHarkinIsNotFromIowa]

Buckeyes vs Hawkeyes. The battle of the eyes.

[flutters]

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

Yes it is.

This is NOT characteristic of OSU. I've been a fan for years and have never seen anything like it. A lot of people are upset about this and I'm sure Reynolds will pay the price for what he did...as he should. Unfortunately, this looks bad on the whole team.

[vetvetdoug]

This is certainly not characteristic of Ohio State Football
My, my my. What short memories they have. Woody Hayes' Ohio State teams were noted for that kind of football.

[Beck_isright]

"This is NOT characteristic of OSU. I've been a fan for years and have never seen anything like it. A lot of people are upset about this and I'm sure Reynolds will pay the price for what he did...as he should. Unfortunately, this looks bad on the whole team."

If he is not suspended, I expect you to come back here and acknowledge that OSU, like most other major programs, has been sleazy for the last 15 years.

[flutters]

If the Maurice Clarett scandal is any indicatiion of how this will be handled, I'm sure he will be punished.

I'll keep you updated of any new developements.

[Beck_isright]

"If the Maurice Clarett scandal is any indicatiion of how this will be handled, I'm sure he will be punished."

That shoots your credibility to hell in a handbasket. He was inelligible for the Fiesta Bowl and there was a cover up obviously. So much for seeing you post again.

[staytrue]

you and I are of a like mind. Read my post 13. Romanowski is probably the dirtiest player in the NFL. He is currently on IR with the raiders and may retire. I think the ravens could also use him with teammate ray lewis.

[staytrue]

His football career should be over

You have never seen Bill Romanowski play. This guy will be welcomed into the NFL.

[staytrue]

Larry C and J Tressel seem to be good guys. Miami seems like a cleaner program, as does OSU after the John Cooper era.

[staytrue]

It was a Clemson player that woody tried to hit. BY the way, the clemson coach later said woody should not have been made to resign. The clemson coach was later fired himself for recruiting violations.

[Skip Ripley]

Woody attacked linebacker Charlie Baumann of Clemson after he picked off a pass in some minor bowl game in late 1978.
Woody attacked a sidleine marker aginst Michigan. Coach Hayes had a violent temper but he was quite a student of history and was said to be a very nice man off the field.

Woody would have been a hell of a freeper!

[staytrue]

Except for the one swing/punch, woody was one of the most respected coaches in football. He had zero recruiting violations and if his players did not go to class, they were off the team.

John Cooper had a more transgressions.

[staytrue]

Except for the one swing/punch, woody was one of the most respected coaches in football. He had zero recruiting violations and if his players did not go to class, they were off the team.

John Cooper had a more transgressions.

[PfromHoGro]

Reynolds' actions were criminal. He should have been escorted to jail just like that Pittsburgh Pirate after the sausage race beating at the Brewer game.

[flutters]

Have you looked at the OSU line-up? No Clarett. His college days are over at Ohio State and most likely, everywhere.

[lorrainer]

It sure was sweet to win anyway, wasn't it? ;o)

[SJSAMPLE]

I recall Woody engaging a UofM player in the late 1970s. If it wasn't the shot to the neck, it was the incident where he grabbed an opposing player by the neck and started pushing him backward.