I drove into Ohio yesterday about noon--May 31, 2011; Memorial Day; the day a good man resigned under a cloud of scandal. Jim Tressel resigned as head football coach of The Ohio State University.

It is a sad day. A decent man and a man of principle resigned looking like every other cheat and slick-talking major college football and basketball coach. He had to resign; he deserved to resign. He violated NCAA rules in covering up rules violations by his players. The national media have made him out to be a fraud, a hypocritical pretender of righteousness in a tie and sweater vest. Fans of other programs will believe the national media.

The reality is much closer to a much less cynical reality. A good man believed too much in his ability to steer marginal-character young athletes in the right direction and was tripped up by his own over-confidence. Then he covered up some of their rules violations. Over-confidence in one's own goodness is another way of describing a subtle form of pride. The Bible says pride goes before a fall.

No excuses from this fan and admirer. Only sadness. It is a shame.

So--God, please bless and restore Jim Tressel. And, Go Bucks!