Reynolds-Sorgi incident
Encyclopedia
The Reynolds–Sorgi Incident refers to an American college football
in-game incident in which Ohio State Buckeyes
linebacker Robert Reynolds choked Wisconsin Badgers
quarterback Jim Sorgi
, injuring Sorgi's trachea
, after the play had been whistled dead. Sorgi was unable to play for the remainder of the game, struggling to breathe and unable to speak.
.
Midway through the third quarter, Sorgi scrambled for an eight-yard gain before being brought down by a convergence of OSU tacklers. After the play was called dead, Reynolds grabbed Sorgi's throat with his hand as Sorgi lay on his back. Sorgi's vocal cords were bruised, he had a hard time breathing, and he was unable to speak. He would not return to the game, and though Reynolds was not whistled for a foul, the Badgers came back to win the game.
After the game, Big Ten commissioner James Delany
commented, "(Reynolds' actions) have no place in our game." Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel
initially claimed he didn't see the play but later said "Robert's conduct was totally unacceptable and has no place in intercollegiate athletics." Ohio State suspended Reynolds for one game and Reynolds issued a public apology.
Years later, on October 28, 2011, Robert Reynolds came forward to make another public apology, stating that he wanted to put the incident behind him and teach his four children about being accountable and moving on from their mistakes. Reynolds also said that he and Sorgi had made amends not long after the incident occurred, something for which Reynolds said he was very grateful.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
in-game incident in which Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of The Ohio State University, named after the state tree, the Buckeye. The Buckeyes participate in the NCAA's Division I in all sports and the Big Ten Conference in most sports...
linebacker Robert Reynolds choked Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin Badgers
The Wisconsin Badgers are the collegiate athletic teams from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. This NCAA Division I athletic program has teams in football, basketball, ice hockey, volleyball, soccer, cross country, tennis, swimming, wrestling, track and field, rowing, golf, and softball...
quarterback Jim Sorgi
Jim Sorgi
James Joseph "Jim" Sorgi, Jr. is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
, injuring Sorgi's trachea
Vertebrate trachea
In tetrapod anatomy the trachea, or windpipe, is a tube that connects the pharynx or larynx to the lungs, allowing the passage of air. It is lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium cells with goblet cells that produce mucus...
, after the play had been whistled dead. Sorgi was unable to play for the remainder of the game, struggling to breathe and unable to speak.
The game
On October 11, 2003, the Buckeyes entered the game as the defending national champions, ranked #3 in the country and on a 19-game winning streak with a record of 5–0. The unranked Badgers came into the game at 5–1, having lost at home to UNLV. The Badgers were without star running back Anthony Davis, who was recovering from a fractured eye-socket caused by a late-hit. The game was played at the Badgers' home Camp Randall StadiumCamp Randall Stadium
Camp Randall Stadium is an outdoor stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. It has been the home of the Wisconsin Badgers football team in rudimentary form since 1895, and as a complete stadium since 1917. It is located on the center-southern region of the University of Wisconsin campus. The stadium seats...
.
Midway through the third quarter, Sorgi scrambled for an eight-yard gain before being brought down by a convergence of OSU tacklers. After the play was called dead, Reynolds grabbed Sorgi's throat with his hand as Sorgi lay on his back. Sorgi's vocal cords were bruised, he had a hard time breathing, and he was unable to speak. He would not return to the game, and though Reynolds was not whistled for a foul, the Badgers came back to win the game.
After the game, Big Ten commissioner James Delany
James Delany
James E. Delany is the current commissioner of the Big Ten Conference, a role in which he has served since 1989. He is regarded among college athletics as being influential in the creation of the Bowl Championship Series and its maintenance....
commented, "(Reynolds' actions) have no place in our game." Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel
Jim Tressel
James Patrick Tressel is a gameday consultant for the Indianapolis Colts, and former collegiate football head coach at both The Ohio State University from 2001 to 2011 and at Youngstown State University from 1986 to 2000. Tressel is most notable for his time at Ohio State. He was hired by the...
initially claimed he didn't see the play but later said "Robert's conduct was totally unacceptable and has no place in intercollegiate athletics." Ohio State suspended Reynolds for one game and Reynolds issued a public apology.
Years later, on October 28, 2011, Robert Reynolds came forward to make another public apology, stating that he wanted to put the incident behind him and teach his four children about being accountable and moving on from their mistakes. Reynolds also said that he and Sorgi had made amends not long after the incident occurred, something for which Reynolds said he was very grateful.