---St. Francis product Doug Worthington, pictured above, has been implicated in a memorabilia-for-tattoos scandal at Ohio State that forced Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel to resign on Monday.
Sports Illustrated.com reported late Monday night that Worthington, who played at Ohio State from 2005-09, is one of 28 players – 22 more than the university has acknowledged – involved in the scandal. According to SI.com, Worthington traded or sold Ohio State memorabilia before his eligibility expired according to a source who is referred to in the story by the pseudonym Ellis. Worthington is mentioned on page 3 in the article.
Others named by Ellis as players who traded or sold memorabilia before their eligibility expired are defensive ends Robert Rose and Thaddeus Gibson, wide receivers Lamaar Thomas and Ray Small and running back Jermil Martin.
Through his agent, Worthington declined to comment to SI and attempts by the Buffalo News to reach Worthington this morning were unsuccessful.
In this article published by the ozone.net on May 4, Worthington supports Tressel: “He looked out for his players, and rightfully so. Obviously, they got him where he’s at. As far as the whole FBI situation, he did what’s best for those kids. They didn’t tamper with the FBI situation. There’s a lot more than sports writers and other people could really fathom that’s a lot higher than sports.”
Worthington was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 7th round of the 2010 NFL Draft and was signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad last November.
---Rodney McKissic
(www.twitter.com/rodneyjmckissic)
tagged
Big Ten | Bowl Championship Series | College football | National
