Ex-teammates slam ring-selling claims

Published May. 26, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Former teammates of Ray Small on Thursday slammed the ex-Ohio State receiver for claiming he and other players sold memorabilia, including Big Ten championship rings, while playing football.

Small, who played for the Buckeyes from 2006 through 2009, said some players "didn't even think about NCAA rules," with some even receiving discounts from car dealerships, The Columbus-Dispatch reported.

He told The Lantern, the Ohio State student-run newspaper, that it was not a big deal to sell personal items given to the team.

"We had four Big Ten rings. There was enough to go around," he said.

The NCAA has already accused Ohio State coach Jim Tressel of dishonesty for failing to disclose violations by some of his players.

Six players are suspended, but Small said more were involved.

"They have a lot (of dirt) on everybody," he said, "because everybody was doing it."

Small's former teammates reacted furiously, accusing him of cowardice and disloyalty.

"He isn't part of the sacred brotherhood anymore," center Mike Brewster said. "Never on time, never accountable, never sacrificed for the team. Can you trust his word?"

Brewster also tweeted, "Show me a coward and I will show you Ray Small."

Former receiver Brian Hartline tweeted, "Stop crying and lieing . . . Just bc u didn't play as much as u wanted doesn't mean u can talk now."

Former cornerback Chimdi Chekwa said the accusations hurt.

"Yeah, it's difficult, especially when you're part of something and you know what's going on," Chekwa said. "You know what type of people there are in the locker room and what type of coach you have. To have someone else see something totally different, that hurts the most."

OSU athletic department spokesman Dan Wallenberg released a statement saying, "At this point, the university does not have enough information regarding the reported matters concerning a former student-athlete who has been gone from the football program for two years."

Small was suspended for the 2010 Rose Bowl in what would have been his final game.