4. Jim Tressel and tattoos at Ohio State
What has been since labeled “tattoo-gate” costed Jim Tressel his job with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Ohio State players were reportedly selling signed memorabilia in exchange for tattoos and Tressel was notified but never presented it to the higher-ups.
In April of 2010, a Columbus attorney emailed Tressel to let him know that he had heard about players exchanging Ohio State signed memorabilia for tattoos and that he should do something about it before it gets out of hand. Tressel forwarded the email to Terrell Pryor’s “mentor” saying that the attorney is looking out for them.
Another email from the attorney, Christopher T. Cicero, to Tressel alleges that the players were even selling off championship rings, cleats and jerseys to the tattoo parlor for ink.
The following September, Tressel signs a document saying he knows of no violations within his program and in December, Ohio State is notified by the U.S. attorney’s office that the tattoo artist’s house was raided and the memorabilia was discovered. Six players, including Pryor, were deemed ineligible by the NCAA.
Later, it was revealed that Tressel had knowledge of the events and he resigned in May of 2011. The Buckeyes would be forced to vacate all their wins from the 2010 season and were placed on probation. Urban Meyer led the Buckeyes to a 12-0 season in 2012 but could not play for a national title as they were on a one-year bowl ban.