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

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Does anyone know where a clip can be seen?

(GO BADGERS - GO HAWKEYES)

[Redleg Duke]

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."

Yeah, like your head coach running out on the field at a bowl game to punch out the opposing player who just intercepted your quarterback's pass, ending your victory chances.

Yep, OSU characteristics.

[RussRoberts]

Woody was truly one of the class acts of college football, aside from his disaster with the Clemson player that cost him his job and his career. Years ago, I read a book called "I Remember Woody." It was a book containing brief recollections of Woody form coaches, players, opponents, and anyone else who had experiences with him. Tales of him getting his players into grad school and jobs, his lack of concern with his paycheck, his total concern for his players. He should be cloned and then replace dozens of the self-centered jerks who coach today.

[Redleg Duke]

If they can teach him to skate, Pittsburgh will hire him in a heartbeat.

[Redleg Duke]

Oh, baby, was it ever! UW 70 and 77!

[flutters]

I couldn't find a clip, but here is a link to a slideshow:

http://www.nbc4columbus.com/index.html

[staytrue]

If you add up the good and bad of Woody, it comes out to about 99 to 1 good bad ratio. Woody was a great coach and a great human being.

I am personally more talented intellectually than woody, but in character, woody has almost all of us beat including myself hands down.

John Cooper and many other coaches never punched someone, but in character, none of them and maybe not any match the quality of woody's character.

[Beck_isright]

I still maintain that the hit on McGahee's knee was deliberate now. Before Saturday I had my doubts. After that, I have none. OSU has some cheap shot artists and the coach has yet to play it straight. It's too bad we can't meet in the BCS championship game again and get our due. Payback would have been a bitch.

[Beck_isright]

"Have you looked at the OSU line-up? No Clarett."

Yes, I have. However now that it's been revealed he cheated through school, give us back our damn trophy.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

.

[NeoCaveman]

Robert Reynolds, judging by his actions, is a thug who needs to be cut loose. I'm sure he could end his college career playing for Marshall (kind of like Randy Moss)

[NeoCaveman]

He was inelligible for the Fiesta Bowl and there was a cover up obviously. again.

Sure, and Al Gore won Florida.

Hey Sore Loserman, put some ice on it.

[PfromHoGro]

One of the best. I was falling asleep early in the 3rd but progressively became more and more awake as to be sitting up at the end of the bed by the end of the game.

[staytrue]

Team spirit is one thing, but being a sore loserman is another and that is what you are becoming.

Bottom line, Miami had plenty of chances to take care of business and they failed.

I remember getting fouled at the end of a basketball game where the guy "stole" the ball and went in for the winning basket.

I looked at the ref and then I thought to myself, it should not have been this close of a game and I should have been prepared for a foul and a no call and protected the ball better.

Stop you whining. Blacks were slaves, the japs were unfairly incarcerated in WWII. Give it up, miami lost.

Besides if you rewatch the game, you will see at least 3 flagrant holding on the miami offensive line that were not called on 3 big plays.

[lorrainer]

Now if the Packers only woulda done better yesterday....

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Thank you very kindly, flutters.

[PRND21]

Suspend the Ohio State guy for a year, at least.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Agreed. At LEAST.

[flutters]

You're very welcome, Daughter.

I heard on the news that Reynolds will be suspended for one game (our homecoming game next week against Iowa). The big 10 conference agreed with the one game suspension.