Case of Mistaken Ponzi Scheme Identity Confounds Former Ohio State Footballer Will Allen

Imagine relaxing at home on a Monday evening after a hearty meal. It's a situation all American working people would love to know.

Such was the case of former Ohio State and NFL safety Will J. Allen last Monday.

However, when he checked his phone, he saw 10 messages informing him media outlets used his picture in stories about the Ponzi scheme conviction of former NFL cornerback Will D. Allen.

Here is one such example:

Last night @espn erroneously decided to use my likeness and image. In the process damaging the strong reputation and name I've built. pic.twitter.com/2TF7g01CDO
— Will Allen 20 (@WillAllenWAF) November 22, 2016

Allen, who does charity work through his own foundation and is a clean energy advocate, went on the offense in trying to clear his name.

@espn this is who I am!! Not a criminal!! pic.twitter.com/z6MjPyayhG
— Will Allen 20 (@WillAllenWAF) November 22, 2016

@espn this is who I am!! Not a criminal!! pic.twitter.com/psUPlgUabV
— Will Allen 20 (@WillAllenWAF) November 22, 2016

@ESPN This is who I am!! Not a criminal!! pic.twitter.com/pHLR0bXbJU
— Will Allen 20 (@WillAllenWAF) November 22, 2016

What's wild is this isn't the first time this happened to Allen; the nightmare started in April 2015. It still doesn't change the damage caused by people tweeting at him to take "his punishment" like a man.

"You get all the negativity and [people] can say whatever—I can't really do anything about that," Allen told ESPN on Wednesday. "You kind of have to stop and pause for a minute. ... But there's no telling who reads that and how they perceive it. We're in a society where it's largely about perception."

According to the article, Allen consulted with lawyers and public relations experts to clear the air around this snafu.

In the meantime, here is a simple guide for media outlets looking to discern between Wille D. Allen (the former Syracuse star convicted of fraud) and Will J. Allen (the former Ohio State safety who does charity work and gives back to his community).