Vick remains an idol for Pryor

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH ^ | September 6, 2009 | Tim May

[Comparative Advantage]

Except for a fourth-quarter interception, Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor had a decent day in Ohio State's season-opening win over Navy. He passed for one touchdown, ran for another and made a deft option pitch to Daniel Herron for another score in a 31-27 victory.

More noteworthy, however, were the words printed on Pryor's eye-black patches: Mika under his right eye and Vick under the left.

Mika referred to Pryor's sister, he said.

Vick was a nod to Michael Vick, the NFL quarterback who served 18 months in federal prison for his involvement in a dogfighting ring. He is back in the league, with the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I know what happened with him and, I mean, I don't want to talk much. I'm just going to be very short and sweet with it," Pryor said yesterday. "But I just feel he made his mistake and I think he just needs more support.

"Not everybody is the perfect person in the world. Everyone does -- kills people, murders people, steals from you, steals from me. I just feel that people need to give him a chance."

Pryor's ability has been likened to that of Vick as a quarterback who can run and throw equally well.

"I always looked up to Mike Vick and I always will, because I still think he is one of the best quarterbacks," Pryor said. "I love Mike Vick."

[Little_shoe]

Isn’t it interesting that schools have to lower their standards because these great athletes don’t have time to study and play sports, yet the service academies manage to graduate articulate, smart athletes who not only studied and trained but fit Div. 1 athletics into their college schedules?

Not to mention that when they graduate they become responsible for operating millions of dollars worth of equipment!

I could have hardly believed seeing Navy do this well against a top 25 football factory to years ago when we were 1-11 my plebe year. Thanks PJ and KH.

[OldDeckHand]

"That is the difference between programs that care about their players and programs that use their players. "

That's the key, isn't it? Back in the day, athletics were used as tool to enrich the academic experience in America's institutions of higher learning. Today, at most big-time schools, it's the athletes that are used to enrich the schools They have it ass-backwards.

I'm sure Tressel and OSU would defend the practice of giving scholarships to academically inadequate "students" as something of a benevolent gesture - giving an opportunity to the less fortunate. The problem is these students rarely graduate in their programs. The fact of the matter is OSU and the less-fortunate would be better served if those scholarships actually went to people who took advantage of their intended purpose - to enrich their lives intellectually - rather than using them as a one or two year audition for the NFL.

OSU is a massive school. I bet that they could recruit well-performing students from their existing student-body to replace some of the highly-athletic but academically unfit players, and still have a very good team. Would they compete for the BCS every year? Probably not. But, the academic experience of actual students would be enriched. Shouldn't that be the primary and singular goal of any athletic program?

[OldDeckHand]

"That is sad."

And surprising too. I bet you had no idea it was that bad at some of these otherwise well-respected universities. I know I didn't.

[Vision]

It sounded like our boys at USNA gave these guys all they could handle yesterday.

In spades. If the Midshipmen hadn't fumbled, they may have won. This was at a school that openly wasn't taking the game seriously.

[rabidralph]

Thank you for your service! As the plane captains always told me, “It takes a college education to break it and a high school education to fix it.” :-)

[Sprite518]

I think Mike Vick would tell this kid he is stupid.

Vick is a victim. Complete nonsense! Vick is lucky to be allowed back and I believe he knows it.

If this is OSU QB, then I bet they are in big trouble this year. I saw how Navy nearly beat them yesterday.

[N. Theknow]

As much as I love Ohio State Pryor is anything but a class act. He looks and talks like a thug.

And is why he looks up to Vick, who also is a poster child for Ebonically Endowed Af-a-letes.

[Sprite518]

Navy good?? Give me a break. Ok they are better in the last 5 years, but to call them good is a stretch.

The guys that play for Navy are academics first, then Navy, then sports.

[Darth Reardon]

If the NFL does not work out, he’ll still have had a professional football career to look back on.

[Bender2]

Re: More noteworthy, however, were the words printed on Pryor's eye-black patches:
Mika under his right eye... and Vick under the left.

Yeah, but where did... he have 'Obama' printed?

In Spain, I have... 'Pull Lever Below' printed there!

I have 'No Water Allowed'... printed there.

Mine says 'Tony... was here!'

Yet on the other... hand

What is with you Earthlings... and all this printing on your epidermis and appendages?

Well, no cut line... needed up there!

[big'ol_freeper]

You forgot what is printed on the bottom of the new Cowboys stadium scoreboard..... "Not Here Stupid".

[Bender2]

Re: "Not Here Stupid"

Naw, that is printed here... when I shower with the guys!

Hey, what's up... with the 'KC' cap?

[big'ol_freeper]

Well Bend, just trying to show my support for......Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel. They ain't used to losing.

[IndyTiger]

Tressel needs to let this kid know that his public support for such a reprehensible thug like Mike Vick is not going to be popular...

I'd be willing to bet that Pryor will not have that on his face by the next game. I'm sure Tressel will be hearing about it from the alumni and the administration this week.

Kudos to the Midshipmen for an inspiring performance. The Buckeyes better get their act together Saturday against USC.

[IndyTiger]

Loved your rant, and I completely agree. Lifelong Ohioian and Buckeye fan speaking.