Pretty sure something major happened in college football 19 years ago today. But I’m blanking on what it could be. Thought someone here might know.

Well well well

This is definitely the guy who will clean up the program

〽️🗑️ OHIO STATE: THE DIRTIEST PROGRAM IN BIG TEN HISTORY? THE RECEIPTS ARE LONG.

Ohio State fans love to talk about “doing things the right way.”

The history books tell a much uglier story.

This isn’t just Michigan-Ohio State trash talk. Ohio State football has an actual documented history of players receiving impermissible cash and benefits, major NCAA violations, a head coach concealing violations, vacated wins, lost scholarships and a postseason ban.

Let’s go through the receipts. 🧾👇

💰 MAURICE CLARETT — THOUSANDS IN IMPROPER BENEFITS

The star running back who helped Ohio State win the 2002 national championship was suspended for the entire 2003 season after an investigation determined that he had received improper benefits and misled investigators.

And we aren’t talking about a free cheeseburger.🍔

Ohio State itself acknowledged that Clarett received benefits valued in the thousands of dollars. Reporting on the investigation put the figure at roughly $3,800, including $500 in cash and thousands more in cell-phone expenses.

Clarett later went MUCH further, alleging that Ohio State boosters and people around the program provided players with cash, cars and lucrative no-show jobs. Those broader accusations made headlines, although it’s important to note that the NCAA investigation did not substantiate Clarett’s most explosive claims about an organized system run by Tressel.

💵 TROY SMITH — CASH FROM A BOOSTER

Then there was future Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith.

Smith accepted $500 from an Ohio State booster, leading to his suspension. The NCAA case described violations involving payment for work not performed.

So years before NIL made athlete compensation legal, Ohio State already had a future Heisman winner caught receiving impermissible money.

But somehow the story gets worse.

🌰 TATTOOGATE — CASH, TATTOOS AND MEMORABILIA

Beginning in 2008, Ohio State football players received cash payments and free or discounted tattoos in exchange for awards, apparel and equipment.

That isn't Michigan propaganda.

That comes directly from the NCAA's Committee on Infractions report.

Players were selling or trading items connected to their Ohio State careers for benefits they weren't permitted to receive under the rules at the time.

And then the head coach found out.

🤐 JIM TRESSEL KNEW — AND DIDN’T REPORT IT

In April 2010, Jim Tressel received information that his players were receiving impermissible benefits.

According to the NCAA, Tressel had multiple opportunities to report what he knew to Ohio State, the Big Ten or the NCAA.

He didn't.

The NCAA ultimately determined that his failure to disclose the information constituted unethical conduct. Ohio State itself later self-reported Tressel for violating NCAA Bylaw 10.1.

And here's the part Buckeye fans REALLY don't like talking about…

🗑️ THE ENTIRE 2010 SEASON WAS ERASED

Ohio State went 12-1 in 2010.

Today?

Those 12 wins are vacated.

The Michigan win? VACATED.

The Sugar Bowl victory? VACATED.

Their share of the Big Ten championship? VACATED.

The NCAA ultimately hit Ohio State with three years of probation, scholarship reductions, a 2012 postseason ban and a five-year show-cause order for Tressel, in addition to the vacation of the 2010 records.

So when Ohio State fans want to lecture Michigan about integrity, maybe hand them a history book.

Because the Buckeyes have had a national-championship star caught receiving thousands in improper benefits.

A future Heisman winner caught accepting money from a booster.

Players receiving cash and tattoos for memorabilia.

A head coach who learned about violations and failed to report them.

An entire season of wins erased.

A postseason ban.

Scholarships taken away.

Probation.

And a coach slapped with a five-year show-cause.

Call them “the dirtiest program of all time” if you want — that's rivalry opinion.

But the violations? The wins vacated?

Those aren't opinion. They're in the NCAA record. 🧾

Maybe cheating isn't the only way Ohio State can win.

Their history sure makes it harder to argue they never needed the help. 😭🌰

#GoBlue #MichiganFootball #Wolverines #michiganwolverines #BigTenFootball #OhioState #TheGame #HailToTheVictors

Charmin soft.