Terrelle Pryor says he took $3k

[nobodyinparticular]

"At that point last year, I'm 21 and it just felt like everything was against me, like I can't do anything right. I did something to help somebody else out, and I end up getting into trouble. I understand. I shouldn't have sold the stuff and taken $3,000. But I was kind of in a place where I didn't understand why this is happening to me -- especially for the reason that I did it."

Link

I just have to say that I respect the man a little bit more now after reading this article. Before everyone jumps out and gets all riled up about Pryor receiving improper benefits, let's look at the reason Pryor states he took the cash.

"Let me remind you it was freezing cold in November, December, and she's using the oven as heat. That's what I did as a kid. I was telling the NCAA, 'Please, anything that you can do. I gave my mother this so my sister wouldn't be cold, so my mother wouldn't be cold.' They didn't have any sympathy for me."

Damn son. That's a noble thing to do. Clearly this man cares very deeply for his family. Does it change the fact that what he did broke the rules? Not at all. But at least it gives a little insight to the reason behind the move. Rather than this as an entirely selfish, self-promoting move, Pryor broke the rules so his family would make it.

[Brodeur]

Wait, are we supposed to hold something against Pryor for taking some money?

[BaLLiN]

Wow, that really changed my perspective on him. That takes a lot of guts to put something that you are that good at in jeopardy for your family. What a good human being.

[njx9]

no, that was in poor taste, i think.

[nobodyinparticular]

Originally Posted by Brodeur

Wait, are we supposed to hold something against Pryor for taking some money?

Some people do.

[descendency]

I don't blame the athletes, but I do blame the boosters and company the do provide the cash.

It's tough when you have a situation like Mr. Pryor's, but there are also guys that don't need the money that are getting it by the duffle bag.

[njx9]

as long as it doesn't turn into another reason why they should be paid, i don't hold it against him.

[fenikz]

is an oven really a cheap source of heat?

[phlysac]

Not dismissing that top-athletes should get financial gain, I find the "heat" aspect of this story quite suspect. I live right down the road from Jeannette, PA and I can say that his mother was often seen in expensive vehicles that reportedly came from the same money man that helped provide Terrelle with several expensive vehicles. Perhaps they could've gone with less luxury in their vehicles and more efficiency in their utilities.



http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...s8X3ZsvzroU0Bi

Just trying to provide heat for his family.

[Monomach]

So..those seven different new cars (all registered to the same dealership) that he had at Ohio State...

Was he only taking them so he could park them in his mother's house and crank up their heaters?

[FUNBUNCHER]

I don't know sheet, but I think this is a BS story concocted by Pryor's reps to change public opinion about him.

If that were me and I was really selling my OSU gear for a 'noble' cause, I would have been in front of every local newcamera in Ohio telling my story.

Pryor got his coach fired and left a stain on the Buckeye program. He should keep his mouth closed and try to develop into the best backup NFL QB he can be, or try switching to WR.

His story is just to neat and tidy for me to buy it without more confirmation than, 'that's what Terrelle Pryor said happened.'

[njx9]

regarding the cars, if they weren't given to him, there may not have been a choice to be made (as in, "here, drive this around! but i can't give you money, this is different.")

[WCH]

Originally Posted by fenikz

is an oven really a cheap source of heat?

It can be if you aren't trying to heat the entire home, but it's also incredibly dangerous (Carbon Monoxide can be a big threat). If it's a gas powered oven, then it has the advantage of running when the power is cut off (for whatever reason). My parents live in Michigan and they keep a propane space heater around for those 2-3 times in the winter when their power goes out. If you do have electricity, then an electric space heater is a much better option.

The key to all of this is that you obviously only heat a small space. Nobody is going to heat their entire home with a space heater or their oven.

[Brent]

Originally Posted by phlysac

Just trying to provide heat for his family.

Hey, he needs that car to transport the 32" TV on the left, which I am sure he paid for.

[phlysac]

And the arm sleeve tattoo as well. I'm sure that helped with the water bill. Or he was told he had to get it. Not his fault.

[killxswitch]

Originally Posted by njx9

regarding the cars, if they weren't given to him, there may not have been a choice to be made (as in, "here, drive this around! but i can't give you money, this is different.")

You can easily and anonymously pay for someone else's heat bill, at least here in Indiana. I would be surprised if the same wasn't true for other states.

edit: I want to say that this story may be true in part. Like maybe he started taking money to help his mom and sister get through the winter, and it snowballed from there. But that is hardly the only reason or the only amount of money/benefits he took.

Personally I don't care, I don't blame these kids much for taking money. Maybe they should know better but at most I'd say the blame goes 10% kids, 90% NCAA, schools, and boosters.

[phlysac]

Originally Posted by killxswitch

Personally I don't care, I don't blame these kids much for taking money. Maybe they should know better but at most I'd say the blame goes 10% kids, 90% NCAA, schools, and boosters.

Yeah, I don't want to look like I'm piling on. I feel the same way. I just feel he should take accountability and not make it sound like economic hardship and family welfare were the crux for his benefit grab. I'd rather he take thousands upon thousands and admit it became a lifestyle than say he only took a little to help his family. Honesty would win for me, in this instance.

[njx9]

Originally Posted by killxswitch

You can easily and anonymously pay for someone else's heat bill, at least here in Indiana. I would be surprised if the same wasn't true for other states.

no logical disagreement, but that's all i could think of.

[FUNBUNCHER]

Yeah, if I was a star D1 athlete at a top 20 program, hell yes I'm taking booster cheese in a handshake if I think there's NO WAY I'm gonna get caught.

I wouldn't, I don't think(lol!), go overboard like Reggie Bush did, but it's so easy to rationalize accepting improper benefits in college at big time programs when you see how much revenue your school is making off your sweat and blood on the football field.

Terrelle should just say he made a mistake and leave it at that. He doesn't owe anyone an explanation.

[bucfan12]

I understand Pyror's situation. You're a college student, who in his case, is playing at a top D1 school. It's a huge benefit that your tuition is getting paid for you 4 years of schooling, but how do you live? You really don't have time for a job as your time is mostly gone towards school then football and you don't get paid for football in college.

Most of these guys that take the money don't come from high income households either.

I respect Pryor a bit more admitting his mistakes.

[killxswitch]

Originally Posted by bucfan12

I understand Pyror's situation. You're a college student, who in his case, is playing at a top D1 school. It's a huge benefit that your tuition is getting paid for you 4 years of schooling, but how do you live? You really don't have time for a job as your time is mostly gone towards school then football and you don't get paid for football in college.

Most of these guys that take the money don't come from high income households either.

I respect Pryor a bit more admitting his mistakes.

He's not really admitting his mistakes though. I agree with whoever said he should just say that he made mistakes and move on, and that he doesn't owe anyone an explanation. Using his poor upbringing, which I'm sure has a kernel of truth to it, is pretty lame when he is driving brand new cars around campus and the surrounding area.

[hockey619]

everyone, please read the article, hes hardly taking responsibility for his actions, basically saying 'it wasnt fair, i felt like i got picked on.'

then he went and dropped some gems of 'woe is me' lines:

I don't think I deserved (being punished) in that way, because of the reason I was doing it. I felt like I was doing God's work in a way, and I was getting driven into the ground.

She was four months behind in rent, and the (landlord) was so nice because he was an Ohio State fan

this is actually a violation for improper benefits in and of itself, a lesser version of bush's violation: free housing with the promise of we'll make it up to you.

Let me remind you it was freezing cold in November, December, and she's using the oven as heat. That's what I did as a kid. I was telling the NCAA, 'Please, anything that you can do. I gave my mother this so my sister wouldn't be cold, so my mother wouldn't be cold.' They didn't have any sympathy for me.

HA! TAKE THAT BIG BAD NCAA! look how souless they are! my family was freezing and they just laughed in my face as they left the freezer door open to add to their struggles!! what a freaking joke, way to try and villianize the ncaa. im sure they were like 'oh your family's suffering, thats just the way we love it! fap fap fap'

pryor is a dumb*** for letting someone talk him into this story. He broke a rule and payed for it, it happens. I dont hold it against him but the pitty party is pathetic and his story is illogical, which isnt a shocker.

[jrdrylie]

Originally Posted by killxswitch

You can easily and anonymously pay for someone else's heat bill, at least here in Indiana. I would be surprised if the same wasn't true for other states.

I know you can do this in Alabama and Texas as well. There is an option on the bill to pay more than what is due on your account and have it go to people who can't afford their bill.

[Bob Sanders Dreadlock]

Terelle Pryor was on a full ride scholarship and if he was poor as he makes his family out to be got loaded with grants or loans if he wanted too. There is a lot of legal money he could have gotten from the state to give back to his family.

[Smooth Criminal]

Ive heard from players on the team that it's much closer to 30k than 3k.