Ray Small The Latest To Anger Ohio State Fans

by Travis Miller • May 26, 2011 2:54 PM EDT

After what Mark Titus said earlier this week on his Club Trillion blog and the ensuing reaction you would think former Ohio State athletes would know the protocol about speaking ill of the football program. Apparently, violating NCAA rule is perfectly fine as long as you stand behind the team and don't talk about it. The latest to violate this protocol is former receiver Ray Small, who stated today that it was common for players to sell their Big Ten championship rings for profit:

"I had sold my things but it was just for the money," Small said. "At that time in college, you're kind of struggling."

Small, who played receiver at OSU from 2006-2010, capitalized on the Buckeyes' success during his college career.

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

Small said he sold the rings to cover typical costs of living.

"We have apartments, car notes," he said. "So you got things like that and you look around and you're like, ‘Well I got (four) of them, I can sell one or two and get some money to pay this rent."

The wheeling and dealing didn't stop with rings. The best deals came from car dealerships, Small said.

"It was definitely the deals on the cars. I don't see why it's a big deal," said Small, who identified Jack Maxton Chevrolet as the players' main resource.

Naturally, the fans and former players at Ohio State have not been happy. What they aren't happy about isn't the selling of rings, but that Small talked about it:

Ray Small, the former Ohio State receiver who blabbed to the Lantern about selling memorabilia and getting hooked up with wheels, is getting blasted by former and current Buckeyes on twitter. Small, who is on twitter, maintains he’s not a snitch. Can we call Carmelo Anthony in to settle this?

Former OSU running back Beanie Wells (now with the Cardinals): "The nerve of some cats!! It’s one thing to bite the hand that feeds, but to go and lie about what u were being fed???? Really?! Smh"

Former OSU receiver Brian Hartline (now with the Dolphins): "Stop crying and lieing… Just bc u didn’t play as much as u wanted to doesn’t mean u can talk now…"

Former OSU cornerback Donte Whitner (now with the Bills): "I TOLD YALL HE WAS A SUCKA….RT ….. HE’S NOT REALLY FROM THE VILLE ANYWAYS."