Oklahoma State football fans will be able to donate to players using QR code on their helmets



Oklahoma State University will place QR codes directly on the helmets of football players so fans at home can make donations to players or the team as a whole.

The QR codes will not be displayed in the stadium, but the scannable icons will be predominantly for viewers at home who wish to donate to the team's name, image, and likeness fund.

OSU said in a statement that the move is believed to be the first of its kind, with Coach Mike Gundy calling it a "revolutionary" step toward supporting players.

"This is a revolutionary step forward to help keep Oklahoma State football ahead of the game," Gundy said in a press release. "It gives a chance for everyday fans across the world to have a real impact when it comes to supporting the NIL efforts for Cowboy football. I'm thrilled about this opportunity for our players."

The codes will be 1.5 square inches in size and feature each player's name and number in their respective design. Placed on the back of the helmet, the codes will visible in postgame photos and on social media content, as well. Fans seated in the premium section of Boone Pickens Stadium will also notice the codes marked on drink coasters.

'Tell your agent to quit calling us and asking for more money.'

The team added that the codes will be visible on players' school apparel and other signage throughout the stadium, along with the team equipment truck.

Fans who scan the codes will be taken to the Pokes with a Purpose website, which showcases the "Saddle Up Campaign" and donation form.

Donations can be made one time or on a monthly basis, with the first recommended donation size set at $100.

By going to the website directly, fans can donate to an individual player or contribute to a pool of money that is distributed among the roster evenly.

For example, when selecting a specific player, a message says, "Your support will be credited to: Parker Robertson."

Coach Gundy was happy to move forward with the codes and recently expressed relief that the NIL negotiation period is over.

"The good news is the next five months we can just play football," Gundy said, according to ESPN. "There's no negotiating now. The portal's over. All the negotiation's history. Now we're playing football."

Gundy added, "The business side of what we do now — we have to have those conversations with [the players]. 'Tell your agent to quit calling us and asking for more money. It's non-negotiable now. It'll start again in December.'"

Sports reporter Alejandro Avila called the QR codes a "gold mine" for OSU that serves as an "inexpensive and instant fundraising tactic."

"Boozed-up fans can now donate money during games. Scan your TV; cash in the bag for Oklahoma State. Players may start wanting a bigger share of the general funds, but until then it's a total money machine," Avila added.

According to USA Today's finance tracker, Oklahoma State is the 46th-most popular athletic program in the NCAA, collecting over $104 million annually. Just 12.46% of the revenue is allocated to student fees and the athletic department, among other places.

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4 teens in Cleveland allegedly carjack Ohio State football coach at gunpoint during recruitment visit



An Ohio State assistant football coach experienced a frightening incident on the recruiting trail earlier this week when several young people allegedly stole his vehicle at gunpoint.

On Monday afternoon, OSU tight ends coach Keenan Bailey was at the Ginn Academy in Cleveland, a recruiting hotbed that helped cultivate former OSU greats like Troy Smith and Cardale Jones.

In a school parking lot, four teens, ranging in age from 15 to 18, allegedly pointed a gun at Bailey and stole his Dodge Durango. The teens then reportedly continued their crime spree by violently confronting two women in similar fashion, though the women managed to drive away.

The four suspects were eventually apprehended in a police chase that involved a helicopter. Their names and any criminal charges assessed against them have not been publicly released.

Cleveland Councilman Mike Polensek, the chairman of the Cleveland City Council’s Public Safety Committee, indicated that the incident with Bailey occurred while school at the academy was in session, but thankfully, Bailey was not injured.

On Tuesday morning, Ohio State spokesperson Jerry Emig confirmed to local sports journalist Clay Hall that Bailey was "fine & back recruiting," and a social media post from Bailey about an hour later corroborated Emig's statement. In the social media post, Bailey shared a selfie from somewhere in a French-speaking part of Canada with a message in French that translates to "throw it all away."

— (@)

Bailey, who graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2016, has been a member of the OSU football staff since shortly after graduation. He held various positions before head coach Ryan Day promoted him to tight ends coach before the start of the 2023 season.

The 2023 season was a bit of a disappointment for the Buckeyes. Though they went an impressive 11-1, they suffered another demoralizing defeat to the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor at the end of the season. The Buckeyes will face the Tigers of Missouri in the Cotton Bowl on December 29.

Violent crime in Cleveland continues to be a problem. A report from WKYC from back in July revealed that car thefts were "up a staggering 98%" from the same time in 2022.

The homicide rates are concerning as well. According to a report from Cleveland.com, by September, the number of homicides in Cleveland in 2023 had already eclipsed 110. Though still far below the 192 homicides of 2020, a number not seen in nearly 40 years, city officials are worried that violent crime may be trending in the wrong direction.

"This didn’t happen yesterday; this has been building for over a year," Councilman Polensek said.

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All-American Ohio State wrestler in serious condition after being shot during robbery near campus



An Ohio State wrestler is in serious condition after being shot during a reported robbery attempt near campus on Friday night.

Shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Ohio State wrestler Sammy Sasso was shot during a robbery attempt in the 1300 block of North High Street, according to Sports Illustrated. The All-American wrestler was rushed to the Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, where he was in serious condition, according to The Plain Dealer. His injuries are believed to non-life-threatening and he is expected to make a full recovery and wrestle again.

OSU Athletic Director Gene Smith wrote on Twitter, "Sammy Sasso was transported to Wexner Medical Center where he is continuing to be cared for and monitored. Our coaching staff, along with members of the wrestling program and Athletics administrators, are grateful for the caregivers at WMC. We're with you Sammy."

Buckeyes wrestling head coach Tom Ryan added, "Our coaching staff, along with members of the wrestling program and Athletics administrators, are grateful for the caregivers at WMC, thankful Sasso’s injuries are not life-threatening, and are supporting Sasso and his family."

The shooting is still under investigation. The Ohio State University Police Department is assisting the Columbus Police Department in the ongoing investigation.

As of publication on Saturday afternoon, police had yet to name any suspects or make any arrests connected in the shooting.

Sasso was a fifth-year senior this past season, and is a two-time NCAA runner-up in the 149-pound weight class. This past season, Sasso went 29-4 overall and 8-0 in the conference as a redshirt senior. He was named Big Ten champion twice, All Big Ten this year, and qualified for the NCAA tournament four times.

Sasso is a native of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where he was a four-time All-American.

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