Sugar Bowl: Ohio State uses ‘Seinfeld Defense’ with NCAA

story by Gary Brown, president of College Sports Matchups (CSM is a content partner with The City Wire)
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Ohio State football and Terrelle Pryor are the latest to find the Seinfeld defense works with the NCAA.

In an episode of the classic comedy “Seinfeld,” George Costanza commits an indiscretion with a cleaning woman in the offices of his employer. When confronted with the video of this issue by his boss, he is asked a question, “What do you have to say for yourself?”

George looked his boss square in the eye, and said, “Is that kind of thing wrong around here? If I had any idea, well, I would have never have done it.”

When caught selling assorted items for cash or tattoos (you know, they needed the money for their families) Ohio State’s suspended players looked the Buckeye compliance office and NCAA in the eye and said the same thing.

Ohio State’s well organized, well managed athletic department that is often held out as a model for others to emulate, stood up and said, “Yep, we sure did fail to tell them they could not do these things.”

Then the NCAA, in all their glory, steps in and says, “Well, now we understand how this mess all occurred. You guys just pay the money back to charity and we will deal with this next year. Enjoy your trip to New Orleans.”

OK, the quotes are not exact, but they accurately effect what has happened here. The results? All five players suspended for five games next year and Ohio State will not be given any additional penalties. Case closed.

Kansas State messed up when they suspended star basketball players Jacob Pullen and Curtis Kelly when the pair was given more clothing than they paid for at a Manhattan store.

When told of the situation, the Kansas State athletic department took quick action and the NCAA promptly suspended the players for three games each. Starting now.

Ohio State found out about the actions of their players when the FBI raided the business and home of a tattoo parlor owner. Ohio State took quick action too. They told everyone how they failed to educate their players on this subject. The poor players did not know.

Those suspensions will have a big impact. Maybe, maybe not.

We all know Terrelle Pryor is the Buckeye’s QB and has said he is back next year. What if he decides to head to the NFL after this ruling?

Three of the other players who have been suspended for next year also have legitimate NFL opportunities available to them after this year. Dan Herron is an All-Big Ten running back. Mike Adams is an All-Big Ten offensive tackle. The longest odds against an NFL career in the group belong to receiver DeVier Posey.

Wonder if the Atlanta Falcons will make anyone they draft sit five games because of an NCAA suspension?

So, of the five suspended players only one might be on the roster next year. Solomon Thomas is a second team defensive end for the Buckeye’s.

Note to Kansas State: Delay your penalties next time by telling the NCAA your players did not know what they were doing was wrong.

Too bad Reggie Bush and USC did not employ this defense when the NCAA came calling.

Bet North Carolina knew this was an option when they had almost half their team suspended prior to the season.

Georgia really wishes they had thought of this with A.J. Green and asked for permission to suspend him next year.

Who knew the “is that sort of thing wrong around here” defense would be the best one a school could offer when facing NCAA violations?

It worked for Auburn QB Cam Newton when his dad told the world that he tried to sell his son’s services just once and never told his child about it.

It has now worked for the Buckeye’s too.

You can be sure none of these events would have happened if only the player’s had known.

Right.