JEANNETTE, Pa. -- One of the supporting characters in Ohio State's NCAA violations and the downfall of coach Jim Tressel has died.
Jeannette, Pa., businessman Ted Sarniak III, died on Friday at a Pittsburgh-area hospital, according to the funeral home handling the arrangements. He was 68.
Sarniak was a mentor to Terrelle Pryor, who played at Jeannette High School. Pryor was considered 2008's No. 1 quarterback recruit and signed with Ohio State.
When Tressel, who later resigned, discovered in April 2010 that Pryor and other players were involved in selling memorabilia to the subject of a federal drug probe, one of the first calls he made was to Sarniak. The NCAA and Ohio State investigated Sarniak, but cleared him of offering any improper benefits.
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