http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/spo...ds.html?sid=101Wednesday, September 8, 2010 06:22 PM
By Tim May
The Columbus Dispatch
OSU football: Don't boo LeBron, Pryor pleads
It's still not clear whether LeBron James is going to make the scene on Saturday afternoon for the Ohio State-Miami game in Ohio Stadium, but until further notice, OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor expects him to show.
"I think he is, actually, but I'm not sure," Pryor said today. "I haven't talked to him since after the Marshall game" Thursday night.
Asked whether he expected James to root for Ohio State, Pryor quickly said, "He's a Buckeye."
But the question needed to be asked, because in June the basketball star originally from Akron disappointed many in his fan base when he said he was leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers in favor of joining the Miami Heat.
"If LeBron does come, just treat him with respect, and respect his decision," Pryor said. "Please, no name calling, or booing, or anything like that. Because that's my mentor, and I've got a lot of respect for him, a lot of love for him."
DeVier Posey said he told Pryor this summer that after James opted to take his "talents to South Beach" and join the Heat, Pryor is now the No.1 sports name in the state of Ohio.
"It could be true in some manner," Pryor said, smiling as if slightly embarrassed. "Buckeye football is huge. I found that out the past two years. I still believe in them being the most powerful fans.
"Anywhere I go you hear 'O-H', and they notice me where ever I go. I was in Florida for a little vacation, in Key West, and everywhere I went, even in the air station, they said 'O-H,' and they said 'Hi, Terrelle.' We've got a big fan base, and it's very appreciated."