Is it racist to sympathize with the white coach, and condemn the black players?

The Ohio State football Buckeyes are a local obsession in Columbus Ohio.

The football coach (Jim Tressel) has gotten himself into trouble.

Last year, he got a heads up that five of his players were selling or trading (for tattoos) some of their trinkets, trophies and autographs to a local tattoo artist who is also under investigation for drug dealing.

He did not tell the AD, or the University NCAA compliance office.

When the story broke, he was fined and he and the players suspended for several games. The unfortunate tale is not over, and I think he will probably lose his job. The players will probably go the NFL and make a lot of money.

At a recent party with Buckeye faithful friends, I said they ought to throw the players off the team and out of school.

The players are black. The hostess said my opinion was racist.

It isn’t of course. I said what I said, not because they are black but because they are either dishonest, or stupid, or both. They are braced constantly about the NCAA rules. There is no mystery about the NCAA’s rules at OSU.

But I was curious what the members of the collective would say about my opinion.