QB Troy Smith - 2006 Heisman Winner (Official Thread)

[chuck_jax]

make this non-issue front page news.

All I can say is...Whew!

[BB73]

Anybody else spot the irony that he was cleared on the technicality that he was paid for the camp? Good thing they paid for his overnight stay.

sportsline.com (excepts only are shown)

But because Smith was hired to be at the camp, his presence fell outside the scope of NCAA rules, the school said.
"It was something that he was employed to do, so it falls underneath the category of student-athlete employment," Ohio State spokesman Steve Snapp said. "It was not a promotional or educational activity."

The camp paid for Smith's overnight accommodations -- his only form of payment, Snapp said.

The Big Ten said on Monday that it agreed with the school's findings. A message seeking comment was left with the NCAA.

[Steve19]

All I know is that Troy Smith exercised bad judgement in not attending a class and that he may have failed to notify coaches, with the result that he drew negative attention on himself and Ohio State football. I am not prepared to damn him to eternally warming the bench and still believe that he is our best quarterback, when compared to Justin Zwick. I haven't seen Boeckman enough to say. However, it also is clear to me that we have just about the best coach in college football and he will be applying his mind to the best way to win that NC, with Troy Smith in the lineup or on the bench. I'm looking forward to seeing what he decides, and it's coming soon!!!!

[fanaticbuckeye]

While driving home today, I was listening to the Big Show with Bruce Hooley and Herbie. The topic at the time was to decide if Ohio State fans criticism/questioning of Troy Smith's recent drama was racially motivated?!

Herbie was stating that Troy did nothing wrong, yet tOSU fans were calling in and writing emails voicing their concern and displeasure for his judgement. He and Hooley were stating that they could not figure out why the fans were so livid and the only explanation they could think of was that it might be racially driven.

I must say; that while I typically enjoy listening to the Big Show and generally agree or at least understand what Herbie and Hooley are saying; I am completely flabbergasted by this discussion. I have to believe that the ONLY reason they had this discussion was for ratings and controversy. I find it laughable that this was a serious conversation today!?

The arguments and examples of Buckeye Nation not being racially motivated are numerous and everywhere, so I don't think the argument needs to be made, but why would this even be brought up? Am I extremely naive and blind, and just am not seeing their side of the story?

[jwinslow]

Sounds like they said "we are at a loss, the only possible explanation we can think of is that its racially driven"

That doesn't suggest that some are being racist, rather that that would be the only possible reason they could see... and a poor one at that.

[fanaticbuckeye]

jwinslow,

I understand what you are saying, unfortunately that is not how it came off. Maybe I am looking too far into it, but from what I heard I don't know how can they make that assertion or even entertain that thought? There is no reason at all to even make that statement, except for controversy/ratings. Can anyone honestly look at Troy's situation and not understand what some individuals concern is?

It should be noted, that I disagree with the "callers" of reference and that I think Troy Smith is our best quarterback and I want him starting as soon as possible. Also, I do think that had he not had the run-in last year we probably would not have heard about this particular case.

The issue that needs brought to task, however, is the attempt to turn this into a race issue. Had this been Zwick, Youboty, Hawk, or Ginn; those same people would have the same reaction. To me this NOT a race issue.