Obviously this season has been different than anything we have ever seen before. And I'm not strictly talking about Covid-19. I'm talking about the influx of people using social media to make "reports". Sir Yacht obviously comes to mind first, but he is just one of several people claiming they have information prior to the "credible sources" we have come to know. I'm going to go into Story Time for a minute, so hear me out. I'm not "gloating" or anything with this story. Its whole purpose is to explain why us OSU fans see so many rumors floating around, on a consistent basis, and why sometimes they hit the nail on the head. Here we go. 

My step-mom is a bartender at a pretty high-profile country club. In short, through this club she befriended one of Shelley Meyer's closest friends. Our initial reaction was "no way. You're full of it". But she showed us pictures of them together and talked about stories of being with them. Through this friend, I was able to get some pretty cool stuff signed by Urban, but that wasn't the best part. Through this friend, my dad and step-mom (excluding me unfortunately), were gifted family tickets to the 2017 Big Ten Championship, and hung out with Shelley (never Urban) on 2 occasions (both at OSU games). By the way, Shelley could throw down some cheap beer. 

But to get back on topic. If you remember that game, the buzz going into it was "Can JT play, or will it be Haskins". This was right after the infamous camera guy incident in Ann Arbor. So we wanted the "inside buzz". So we egged this friend on. "Hey, ask Shelley if JT is going to be able to play". The only response we got out of that was, "I don't know, Urban doesn't tell me these things". So obviously a BS answer and kept things close to her vest. 

Fast forward 9 months to the start of the 2018 season. We all know what was occurring at that time. Approximately 10 days before the decision on Urban was announced, my step-mom was talking to this friend (a regular at the CC). She told her that Shelley says nothing major will happen, and that Urban will only be required to complete courses/training in the subject matter. 

I thought this was great! "Wow, I have information that everyone else is clamoring for". I felt special, and was a dumb 20 year old who thought "This is my claim to fame. I have a legit insider. So I posted about it". And then 10 days later, I was as embarrassed as you can get. I felt stupid. 

I knew someone who knew someone around the program, and mistakenly believed this was a reliable source. Probably not uncommon to where all these current rumors originate from. Ohio State is a massive program. Hell I'd wager to bet there are several 11W posters that know someone who knows someone within the program. It is bound to happen. 

In conclusion, do I like the free roam that social media provides. No. But can you do anything about it? No. People can say what they want on there, and honestly, most people are probably in the same position I was in. Shelley's friend didn't have all the information, and I treated it as if she did. This is why "reliable sources" only rely on other "reliable sources" within the program. 

I made a mistake, and other people make the same mistake. However, this reason is why I do not immediately brush off any rumor that I see on social media. People do know people. Shelley's friend could have provided us with accurate information, and I would have looked like a hero. Same thing continues to occur. 

At the end of the day, take these rumors for nothing more than they are. And that is rumors. But often times, these people do believe they know what they are talking about. I hope they learn their lesson like I did, and learn to not say anything unless you're speaking to the man himself. Hearsay doesn't cut it. 

Welcome to my Ted Talk.