Former Ohio State players claim AD wrong regarding violations

The controversy surrounding the suspensions of six Ohio State football players is far from over. Not when a former Buckeyes football player is disputing OSU athletic director Gene Smith’s recent comments. When Smith said he and the rest of his staff weren’t “explicit enough” with its football players about selling university-issued items, it opened the door for criticism from all angles. Those suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season include Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron, Devier Posey, Mike Adams and Solomon Thomas. Jordan Whiting is suspended for the first game. All six were declared eligible by the NCAA to play in the Jan. 4 Sugar Bowl, a decision that also brought national criticism. Also in question is Smith’s comments the suspended players “didn’t know” they weren’t allowed to sell their Ohio State-issued items. One former Buckeye, Euclid graduate Thaddeus Gibson, is questioning Smith’s statements. Gibson was signed by the 49ers this season after being cut by the Steelers, the team that drafted him in last April’s NFL draft. Gibson told The Lantern, OSU’s student newspaper, last weekend he and the team were told often not to sell their personal items. “Oh yeah, they (Smith and the coaches) talked about it a lot,” Gibson said. — Morning Journal