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On Tuesday, the NCAA announced it has denied Louisville’s appeal to the decision to vacate four years of wins, including the entire 2012-13 season.
The punishment stems from the scandal within the program involving a former staffer organizing stripteases and sex acts for 20 prospects and student-athletes, many of whom were under the age of 18. With the decision, that means Louisville’s 2013 national title banner is indeed coming down, the first time ever a program has had to do so.
A member of that 2013 national championship team, former Cardinals guard Kevin Ware, had the most amazing response to the NCAA decision:
Still got this fat ass ring which means my guys definitely won a chip, if I’m not mistaken of course.
— Kevin Ware (@AirWare5) February 20, 2018
While it’s true, Ware and his teammates will still be able to claim the 2013 national championship, as well as rock their awarded rings, it just will no longer be in the NCAA record books.
At least Ware’s ring isn’t permanent — never forget former coach Rick Pitino actually got a tattoo commemorating the achievement after promising he would. No word from the NCAA on whether they’ll be erasing that, too.