Bread and Circuses

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel abstained for voting in the final poll.  Tressel released this comment.  "After consultation with my director of athletics, Gene Smith, and based upon our unique position in the BCS standings, I believe it is only fair that we not participate in the final poll."

This is a side effect from the BCS decision to publicize the particulars of the final vote.  The move was made to avoid shenanigans by coaches and conferences which might unduly change the outcome of the voting.   Tressel’s abstention didn’t matter in the overall final polling, but USA Today sports editor Monte Lorell expressed his disappointment and indicated it might cost Tressel his involvement in the poll. 

Grant Teaff, AFCA executive director, seemed to side with Tressel’s "unusual circumstance."  And I agree.  Think about it.  No matter how Tressel voted, once it was publicized everyone would question his motives.  Vote for his Big 10 brethren Michigan, and he’d be criticized as a "homer".  Vote for Florida, and it would be on Michigan’s bulletin board for the next five years. 

The old saying is "Discretion is the better part of valor."  In this case, not only did Tressel show great discretion, he also did the ethically correct thing, taking no chance  at having his vote decide who OSU should play.  The possiblility that that could even occur is another fallacy in a system riddled with fallacies.  Tressels decision was a class act, and hes doesn’t deserve to be criticized or punished for it.

***************************************

Information and quotes in this post came from AP

 

34 Comments

Original post by Bread and Circuses