Recall, if you will, the words of Ohio State’s Ray Small, a wide receiver, in the leadup to Ohio State’s epic fail clash with USC earlier this year: “Here at Ohio State, they teach you to be a better man,” Small said. “There, it’s just all about football.” Terribly ill-advised, yes, but his heart was in the right place, even if USC went on to demolish the Buckeyes, 35-3. It was still a nice thing to say about head coach Jim Tressel and his program.

(Jim Tressel can’t get that stupid “Five Dollar Footlongs” jingle out of his head, and now neither can you.)

Now, just a couple months later, Tressel has rewarded the young public relations guru with… a suspension for violating team rules (read: sleeping through a lecture or something). Small’s family responded by not drawing attention to the situation and explaining the value of following rules and guidelines to the young man. Oh, just kidding, they’ve completely flipped out and have accused Tressel of sabotaging Small’s career, and I swear to God I am not making that up.

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Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel has had enough with Ray Small. He’s tried to reach the talented but mercurial wide receiver through encouragement, exploring different roles like kick returner, punishment, and even relegation to the scout team. However, he’s done soft-pedaling the message. Tressel’s pulling the trump card no one thought he’d throw:

Jim Tressel has taken Ray Small’s jersey number away. No longer can Small pretend to be Big Man on Campus with his #4 jersey in rarefied air. Instead, he’s stuck down with all the other wide receiver scrubs wearing #82. You’re no one special now, kid. You’re just a guy. Take that!
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