MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- Terrelle Pryor ended his silence Tuesday -- for exactly 97 seconds.
?In terms of coach Jim Tressel, a special shoutout. I'm sorry for what all went down and I apologize with all my heart. I love you just like a father. You taught me a lot and I apologize for putting you in a situation and taking you out of a job and place that you loved to be.
? -- Terrelle Pryor
Speaking out for the first time since his college career at Ohio State ended embroiled in scandal, Pryor appeared with agent Drew Rosenhaus and gave a brief statement in which he apologized to the Buckeyes, to his former teammates and to now-departed coach Jim Tressel for his role in the mess that might take down one of America's proudest programs.
"I say sorry to all the Buckeye nation and all the Buckeye fans across the country," Pryor said. "I never meant to hurt anybody directly or indirectly with my conduct off the field and I am truly sorry."
Pryor confirmed during his brief statement that he will enter the NFL's supplemental draft, which is expected to take place sometime in July.
"I'm working hard every single day on the field and off the field to be a better quarterback," he said. He said he also hopes to one day become a "role model" off the field.
Rosenhaus said he only agreed to represent Pryor after speaking with Tressel, who he said speaks with Pryor four-to-five times a day.
Pryor already had been suspended by Ohio State and the NCAA for the first five games of what would have been his senior season this fall for accepting improper benefits, such as cash and discounted tattoos. The scandal led to Tressel's forced resignation. Tressel acknowledged knowing his players were taking improper benefits but covered it up for more than nine months before Ohio State officials discovered his knowledge.
Can Pryor Break Ohio State Curse?
Ohio State might be an NFL factory, but it's hardly QB U. Eight former Buckeyes have played QB in the NFL since the merger. None of them have started more than 11 games in a season and just one has made the Pro Bowl -- Tom Tupa as a punter in 1999.
OSU QBs to play in NFL, since 1970
powered by 
Pryor is Ohio State's all-time leading rusher among quarterbacks, with 2,164 yards. He also threw 57 touchdown passes, tying a school record.
"In terms of coach Jim Tressel, a special shoutout," Pryor said. "I'm sorry for what all went down and I apologize with all my heart. I love you just like a father. You taught me a lot and I apologize for putting you in a situation and taking you out of a job and place that you loved to be. I regret the fact that you're not there anymore and I regret the fact that I'm not there anymore."
The NCAA continues investigating all aspects of Ohio State's athletic program, particularly the football team.
Pryor may still be asked to cooperate with that investigation. However, his attorney Larry James said last week the quarterback feels no obligation to speak with NCAA investigators now that he is no longer enrolled at Ohio State.
Rosenhaus, who famously once kept repeating "Next question" at a news conference he hosted about client Terrell Owens, took the tack of "No questions" on Tuesday.
"I think I've said it all," Rosenhaus said after he spoke for about six minutes in which, among other things, insisted he believes Pryor will be a first-round pick in this summer's supplemental draft. "So I'd like to thank everybody for coming. Guys, we're going to shut it down right now and I appreciate your time. Thank you."
Reporters shouted questions and followed Rosenhaus, Pryor, other members of the entourage and some security toward the hotel elevators, to no avail.
As Rosenhaus was speaking during the event, Pryor mainly stared straight ahead, arms folded and resting on the table. He worked out Tuesday morning with a group including receiver Chad Ochocinco, who offered praise on Twitter.
"With the right coaching after what I saw today with my own eyes he can be a great QB," Ochocinco wrote.
Pryor also said he wants to graduate from Ohio State, noting he's nine credits short of his degree.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6661247&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
No comments:
Post a Comment