When the name Art Schlichter is mentioned in Columbus, it is often accompanied with mixed emotions. Good old Art led the Ohio State football team to the brink of a National Championship in 1979 by redefining how the quarterback position was played here at OSU.
The previous 90 years of Buckeye football were called “three yards and a cloud of dust.” (For the younger fans, this style of football is similar to watching Lydell Ross plow into the back of his linemen on first through third downs.) Art’s golden arm brought a new era to OSU football, and led the way for future Buckeye gunslingers such as Greg Fry, Bobby Hoying and Joe Germaine.
At the very least, Schlichter will be remembered for his role in the offensive diversification of Buckeye football for decades to come. At the very most, he will be remembered as one of the biggest embarrassments in the history of OSU football.
When Schlichter’s days in scarlet and gray were over, he began a promising career in the NFL with the Baltimore Colts. Drafted fourth overall in 1982, he spent his rookie campaign learning what it takes to be an NFL quarterback.
Schlichter was suspended by the league for the entire 1983 season after the NFL discovered that bookies had been threatening Schlichter for incurring a $150,000 gambling debt he could not repay. Schlichter has spent the past 22 years either in jail or eluding police. His life and career were eaten alive by his unquenchable thirst for placing bets.
Unfortunately, Schlichter is not alone.
According to the NCAA, almost 35 percent of male student-athletes and 10 percent of female student-athletes have engaged in some type of sports wagering in the past year.
“The scope of sports wagering among intercollegiate student-athletes is startling and disturbing,” said NCAA president and former Indiana University president Myles Brand. “Sports wagering is a double-threat because it harms the well-being of student-athletes and the integrity of college sports.”
Well said, Dr. Brand. So what is the NCAA going to do about it?
Accessorize.
The NCAA has apparently teamed with Rubbermaid to produce some more of those damn colored wristbands that were oh-so-close to becoming extinct. The blue strips of plastic bear the inscription “DON’T BET ON IT” which is a phrase that could also be used to answer the question, “Hey, do you think those new NCAA wristbands will work?”
The NCAA partnered with the National Basketball Coaches Association and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association to distribute the wristbands to participating members. All three organizations encouraged their coaches to wear the bands on Saturday, Feb. 26, with the hopes that someone would notice – preferably the players.
“Hey coach, what’s that blue thing on your arm? It looks like the medic alert bracelet my grandma wears.”
“No Bobby, I wear my medic alert bracelet on my left arm, along with my ‘Livestrong’ band, my ‘Save the Arctic Whales’ band, and my ‘Prevent Gingivitis’ band. This is my new ‘Don’t Bet On It’ band.”
“What’s that mean, coach?’
“It means that you shouldn’t gamble on sports, Bobby.”
“Gee golly, coach, your wristband sure changed my life. Thanks, NCAA!”
OK, so maybe this is a cheap shot at the NCAA, but give me a break. Was there no one available to choreograph a “Don’t bet on it” Macarena?
If the NCAA is truly concerned about its player and the integrity of its games, it would discard worthless trends in favor of something that might actually work. Make the “Art Schlichter Story” required reading for all student-athletes. Hey, at this rate, ESPN will have a movie about him in about three months anyway.
I’ll bet you $10 it’ll do more good than any piece of jewelry.
Scott Woods is a junior in pre-journalismcan be reached for comment at [email protected].
