As a competitor and quarterback that plays at an extremely high level, Terrelle Pryor undoubtedly wears his heart on his sleeve while suiting up for The Ohio State University. It’s why the fans who pack themselves into the Horseshoe.
But those fans don’t want him to wear anything else, especially if it involves Michael Vick.
During last Saturday’s victory over Navy, Pryor wore two eyeblack stickers — one paid homage to his sister, and the other said “Vick.” Buckeye fans have been up in arms since, calling him every name in the book for supporting a convicted felon.
After the game, Pryor had a little slip of the tongue, saying, “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.”
Not everyone kills people, murders people or steals. He’s wrong in that sense, but he is allowed to express his opinions the same way you and I are. He’s not a robot, he’s not a product of a machine. Just like you and me, he’s got his own emotions.
Before his arrest and subsequent jail time, Michael Vick was one of the game’s best quarterbacks, a Pro Bowler. For young African American football players, it’s easy to see why Vick was so beloved, and Pryor, who has been likened to Vick for his ability to scramble, wanted to show support for his longtime idol on the football field.
Unfortunately, some OSU fans can’t handle that. Well, I have news for you people. You need him a hell of a lot more than he needs you. Try beating USC this weekend without him. Try winning a Big 10 title without him. Try winning a national championship with him. It won’t happen.
Fans can be very fickle people. If Pryor throws for four touchdowns this weekend and leads the Buckeyes to a win over the Trojans, he could have “Go Blue” under his eyes and they’ll be there to cheer him on.
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2 comments:
It's a little strange that, in recent years, eye black has become an outlet for players to express their opinions, beliefs, etc. The fact that Pryor chose to honor his sister on one side of his face and Michael Vick on the other seems like a tremendous show of disrespect for his family. But to each his own, I suppose. Clearly Pryor isn't capable of explaining his thought process, so people should stop asking him.
The aftermath of this over-publicized incident is ridiculous. Who really cares what a college quarterback writes on his eye black? It's not as if he expressed his stance on abortion or the death penalty or any number of issues that are far more important than Michael Vick.
But Pryor can put whatever words of wisdom (or lack thereof) under his eyes this Saturday. It's not going to stop USC from coming into Columbus and laying a whuppin' on the Buckeyes.
With or without Pryor, Ohio State might win the Big Ten (although Penn State should have something to say about that), but they have no chance of winning a BCS bowl game, let alone a national championship.
That's kind of my point. What are these fans thinking, making this such a huge issue three days before the USC game? It's a monster distraction, one I'm sure Jim Tresell doesn't want to answer questions about. I hope OSU (I've never been a big fan, anyway) gets smacked around a bit. Just because.
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