CJ Stroud Gave Every Player On Ohio State's Roster A $500 Gift Card To Get A Game Day Suit

Before I begin this blog, let me remind you all that it was only 12 years ago when Jim Tressell had to resign, Terrelle Pryor got suspended, Ohio State got cancelled, and the Buckeyes had to miss a bowl game during a season in which they went undefeated all because some players got free tattoos. Okay, had to get that off my chest before I begin to talk about the Ohio State QB, who is a multi-millionaire at 20.

As for CJ Stroud giving $500 in Express gift cards to each of his teammates to get a game day suit....

That's leadership. No other way to put it. This isn't the NFL where everyone is getting paid a million bucks. CJ is rolling around campus in his free $200K Mercedes G Wagon, and the people blocking for him are probably only getting their meals and textbooks paid for. Don't get me wrong, no one at Ohio State is suffering, but the NIL disparity between a Heisman frontrunner and a common player that you wouldn't know without their jersey on is very large. I love that CJ took care of EVERYBODY here. From freshman walk-ons to All-Americans (of which we have many).

Now, there's no debate that this was a kind gesture. However, I would say that if I was critiquing this move without my Scarlet colored glasses on, I'd say the choice of gift could've been better. Much better. First of all, doesn't Ohio State already pick up the tab on their suits?

John Green. Shutterstock Images.

Every time I see the Buckeyes rolling into pregame they have on some fresh, clean suit with matching ties. I'd have to imagine these weren't getting paid for out of pocket by the players. So CJ, isn't this like giving them a giftcard to the dining hall where they already eat for free? I don't know if this was a gift from Express that they paid CJ to give or what, but if I'm a random college player, I have a long laundry list of things that I'd rather have for $500 than another suit to hang in the closet. Besides, good luck to our Offensive and Defensive linemen with fitting into an Express suit….

A PS5 would've been nice. Or nothing would've beaten a wad of $500 cash in everyone's suit jacket that they already get for free from the school. Listen, beggars can't be choosers, but the guys face after the announcement says it all….

"Gee, thanks CJ"