Ohio State fans petition the POTUS for a pardon on bowl ban

As far as the BCS championship picture is concerned, there’s one undefeated team in college football: top-ranked Notre Dame.

But, thanks to some misguided finger-crossing by the university’s administration last year in the aftermath of “Tat-gate”, Ohio State’s currently spotless 11-0 record is only so in the eyes of the Associated Press’ weekly top 25 poll, where the Buckeyes hold down a No. 4 ranking. The Buckeyes’ postseason ban means no shot at a Big Ten championship -- though this year’s Leaders division trophy will be on display in Columbus -- or a BCS championship.

Still, that hasn’t stopped some Ohio State fans from attempting one final (and desperate) push to maybe, possibly get the ban overturned. According to FOX Sports, a petition asking President Barack Obama to pardon Ohio State was created. Though the petition was eventually taken down by whitehouse.gov for violating terms of participation, FOX was able to capture the petition’s message, which reads as follows:

“The Ohio State University football team is one win away from an undefeated season. However, due to imposed sanctions, they are not allowed to participate in their conference’s championship game or the following bowl season. While a punishment for past indiscretions is to be expected, a bowl season ban is too harsh for a few young men trading memorabilia for tattoos and some change. The offending players and coach who covered it up are no longer part of the program. Please exercise your executive power to pardon the NCAA’s excessive sanctions placed on The Ohio State Buckeyes to enable a rightful, satisfying culmination to the college football season for the American people.”

That’s right, Mr. President. Do it. For America.

Now, clearly this had no chance of passing, but we salute (in the spirit of patriotism) those Ohio State fans so bold as to ask the Commander-in-Chief to stop everything else he’s doing to pardon their beloved Buckeyes. Like, hey, Mr. President. I know you’re busy with some wild stuff going on with Israel, but can you approve this real quick? Or, you know what? Here, I’ll just leave it on your desk right there. Okay. So, uh, yeah. You know, I’m just gonna... whatever, I’m not here. Go Buckeyes.