Washington confirms two-game suspension
Friday,
August 8, 2008 2:58 AM
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Donald Washington didn't run and hide at yesterday Ohio State's picture day, even though he
confirmed he won't be in the picture for the defense the first two games.
As had been rumored for months, the junior cornerback said yesterday he has been suspended for
the opener against Youngstown State and the next game against Ohio University for breaking
unspecified team rules. He would not elaborate.
"My first game will be USC," Washington said, referring to the third game of the season Sept.
13.
Backup safety Jamario O'Neal also confirmed he will miss the first two games because of a
suspension. They, along with Eugene Clifford, who left the team during the summer, were first
disciplined for something that occurred during the spring.
For Washington, a returning starter, losing two games is a price that he said will stoke his
desire.
"Now I've put a little chip on my shoulder and I've just got to move on, take my situation and
turn it into a positive and use it as motivation," he said. "I can't play the first two games,
that's the reality of it. Those are facts."
Coach Jim Tressel likes what he has seen from Washington so far but wouldn't say when he would
return.
"Donald is a great kid, and I have the utmost confidence he is going to be a great player for us
this year," Tressel said. "Now, all of us need to go day by day. But I have a lot of confidence
he'll be ready to roll."
Sophomore Chimdi Chekwa likely will take Washington's place in the lineup.
The status of another returning starter, junior defensive tackle Doug Worthington, is unknown.
He was charged with drunken driving by campus police July 26. Worthington entered a not guilty plea
and the case is pending.
"It's something that happened, it's unfortunate that it did, but we're all growing from it,"
Worthington said. "Hopefully I can just play some football in a couple of weeks."
Meanwhile, Washington said he has counseled sophomore defensive back James Scott, who wasn't one
of the 105 players invited to preseason camp for an undisclosed reason. But Scott, a special teams
player last season, still has a chance of rejoining the team.
"The thing I tell James is stay focused, and handle the things you can handle," Washington said.
"As long as he learns and moves forward from it he will be all right. That's what I think he will
do."
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