🏈 A Brief Breakdown...Well, Not So Brief, About What's Coming on HBO Tonight...

[Big_Fan]

Ok, so I refused to suck up to Baghdad Bob a month ago because I knew this was coming.

This isn't it by a long shot. There is light at the end of the tunnel for the aubies and it is the headlight of an oncoming train as they continue their descent into oblivion.

Terry, you work in the media. You know how these things go. You don't play all the cards at once and seldom is a single outlet alone in obtaining information. The story grows. Think back to HBO and Bush...that was just the beginning.

This is the seed that will be the new Toomer's oak.

- I don't want to argue, so I will be back when the next salvo hits...it is in the bomb bay and the doors are open.

 

[foshman]

The Reddick allegations are the most bothersome to me....possibly the Raven Gray ones are too but I don't know much about the guy.

Ramsey has zero credibility and pretty clearly has an axe to grind. McClover was paid for the interview. Until either offers proof i have a hard time taking what they say seriously. And not just becasue I'm an Auburn fan.

I'm fairly certain the "money handshakes" go on at 117 FBS schools. It's impossible to police and some boosters/fans are too interested in the program to think rationally.

Here's why I think it go's on everywhere.

I have a friend who played in the Big 10 and was paid with money handshakes, he claimed. I have another friend who played DII and was paid to keep him from transferring to a bigger school after he developed a little, again he claimed.

I also had an active head coach (again Big 10 diff school) tell me that he knew it went on at his school and wanted to stop it but as long as it was handled after games or off campus he and his staff were powerless so he lived with it but would have dropped the hammer had he gotten proof.

A guy I went to South with was always trying to cozy up to Alabama recruits in Mobile and would offer them drugs for free (and probably girls) as long as they were strong Alabama leans.

All are violations. I doubt they were isolated incidents.

And just so you think I'm not hating on everyone else I lived next to a guy in Auburn, Bowden's first year, who was a medical hardship player. He always had old white guys coming by the apartment late in the evening. The old white guys drove expensive cars, dressed well, and rarely stayed for more than a few minutes. Always figured him to be some sort of conduit to the team.

We'll see what happens if any of these four guys have proof.

 

[Duder]

Well, though I have nothing new to say about it, I will say this, think about someone like Andrew Zow, Tyler Watts, or even Tyrone Prothro, (those that get a free ride through college but don't make it in the NFL, this will eventually include Greg McElroy and he'll be a great example) the University gave them quite a lot as far as pay is concerned. Alabama gave them a free education with which to get a good job and earn good money... So in many ways, The University is paying these players just not during their four years in school but in the long run... if that all makes sense.

It makes sense I'm torn. They get a good, free education but it pales in comparison to the moneyntheyndraw in for the school. Prothro and the catch, McElory and the BCS title--these accomplishments, plays, etc generated revenue far beyond what the players will make in their lifetime. They have opportunity but it just doesn't feel right.

 

[planomateo]

use to most of the ex players landed pretty good gigs too via other channels....so I would argue what they really get down the road so to speak.

an ex Bama QB lived across the street from me when I was a kid (late teens).

I could argue either way on the getting paid side of things...as most of you I would guess.

 

[Duder]

The Reddick allegations are the most bothersome to me....possibly the Raven Gray ones are too.

Reddick was interviewed, and rejected, for a GA position. He also requested, and did not receive, BCS tickets this year. Enough to piss him off? Who knows?

Several players have spoken out against all four of these guys, including Rosegreen who was very close to McClover. As for Reddick's academic accusation, Kendall Simmons graduated AU with a graphic design degree. For those that don't know, that is a very time consuming major. I know of someone that went to school with him and that kid lived in the art building for four years. Simmons was MUCH better than Reddick. Perhaps he fudges the truth a bit? Maybe the concern wasn't thentime requirement but the fact that he wasn't smart enough to stay eligible AND complete a degree in wireless engineering? That is pure speculation on my part based on info I am very confident in.

Everyone will watch this tonight and come away with a different opinion. AU fans will rave about how stupid the players are and you guys will rave about how this is "the tip of the iceberg" and discuss hammers and trains and what-not. Ultimately, your opinion, and mine, mean nothing withoutnproof from the players and/or an NCAA investigation--an active one. My guess is tomorrow morning we will all go off half-cocked with more innuendo and opinion than substance.

Finally, this crap most likely happens everywhere and to say otherwise borders on the insane. Hell, a friend of mine that played for UNA said he would find wads of cash in his clothes when he went to pick up his laundry. Name a big name football player at most schools (AU and Bama included) and they've probably been given something. I thought I'd kick off the baseless opinions early!

 

[planomateo]

course you could argue they are still "in the pockets" of high rollers even then - assuming they go to work for caterpillar or something. but they know the routine, you scratch mine, i'll scratch yours.

 

[THROWITDEEP]

Interesting point, isn't it?

Who had to pay Terry? Did I miss that? SEC or Bama? Or.........????

 

[planomateo]

somebody gonna get slammed by the NCAA...all the stuff coming out over the last year, USC, UNC, Tennessee, Ohio State, Auburn, now the Patrick Peterson stuff with the street agents...it's gonna get interesting.

ncaa gonna direct this to someone very hard.

 

[JoshB]

Auburn fans can try and swing this any way they want, "oh they're bitter" "oh they're just lying", whatever. fact of the matter is 4 guys, 4 not just one. u wont convince me its just all because they're bitter. Prothro has more reason to be bitter than all 4 of those guys combined yet did u see him "just lying" about Alabama?

 

[foshman]

Auburn fans can try and swing this any way they want, "oh they're bitter" "oh they're just lying", whatever. fact of the matter is 4 guys, 4 not just one. u wont convince me its just all because they're bitter. Prothro has more reason to be bitter than all 4 of those guys combined yet did u see him "just lying" about Alabama?

I'm not trying to "swing" it any direction at all. I twill play out like it plays out.

Fact of the matter is 4 guys have as of now offered zero actionable proof. Until they do they are fairly exposing themselves to scrutiny about their intentions.

I will say that the volume of allegations these days is troubling, but I want to see something more concrete than rumors and allegations before I get too worked up.

 

[Tideandtrue8365]

Auburn fans can try and swing this any way they want, "oh they're bitter" "oh they're just lying", whatever. fact of the matter is 4 guys, 4 not just one. u wont convince me its just all because they're bitter. Prothro has more reason to be bitter than all 4 of those guys combined yet did u see him "just lying" about Alabama?

Amen,Brother! hahahaha As i haven't been on here in awhile,i can see that some still don't want to turn around and see the headlights of the oncoming train. Well,it sure looks like Ohio St. and AU may have a lot in common. Time will tell,but the signs aren't good.

 

[JoshB]

I'm not trying to "swing" it any direction at all. I twill play out like it plays out.

Fact of the matter is 4 guys have as of now offered zero actionable proof. Until they do they are fairly exposing themselves to scrutiny about their intentions.

I will say that the volume of allegations these days is troubling, but I want to see something more concrete than rumors and allegations before I get too worked up.

yes u are, i dont blame u. ur an auburn fan. ur whole basis for its not true is that there is no "actionable proof". cash money leaves no paper trail. what kinda proof do u want? more "Ramsey Tapes"?

 

[Big_Fan]

yes u are, i dont blame u. ur an auburn fan. ur whole basis for its not true is that there is no "actionable proof". cash money leaves no paper trail. what kinda proof do u want? more "Ramsey Tapes"?

....to be continued...

 

[TerryP]

Ramsey has zero credibility and pretty clearly has an axe to grind. McClover was paid for the interview. Until either offers proof i have a hard time taking what they say seriously. And not just becasue I'm an Auburn fan.

All involved have said they weren't paid for an intereview. Kremer has gone as far as mentioning where she had other "sources" in this story they wanted to interview and then air. That person asked to be paid.

"We don't pay for interviews at HBO" - Kremer

 

[TerryP]

I'm not trying to "swing" it any direction at all. I twill play out like it plays out.

Fact of the matter is 4 guys have as of now offered zero actionable proof. Until they do they are fairly exposing themselves to scrutiny about their intentions.

I will say that the volume of allegations these days is troubling, but I want to see something more concrete than rumors and allegations before I get too worked up.

Fact of the matter is you also have four guys telling the same story.

I look at motive in this and wonder. What's the incentive for these players? They are entering the territory occupied with players like Ramsey, Jelks, etc. It's not an badge of honor and it isn't something that can be disguised. They said what they said.

OK, you have a failed lawsuit. Bringing this up isn't going to put any money in your pocket.

A guy didn't get a job? So, he brings this story to light. That's a twisted one there, isn't it?

I'm like you, sitting back and watching it play out. Hell, have been for months now. But, telling people to do the same is almost futile.

 

[LBS]

Terry's "What do they stand to gain" question is interesting to me. Just saying it brands one for life, so why cross that line?

If Bitterness is one of the factors, bitterness felt because the NFL didn't work out and now one has to face the world like the rest of us, then that is a case for the way Coach Saban runs his program. The world is an unfair place, and if you're a 300 LB Black man with dreads, gold teeth, and can't write or speak because you have not attended classes regularly since High School, you will have the unique ability to find every job opening that had "someone more qualified, but I sure enjoyed hearing your football stories. War Eagle."

 

[Rolling Tide]

Quick question if you please. What do you think the university made when Bama won the championship?

 

[kudzu]

Funny now how some AU folks are willing to use the ''it goes on at all schools'' now that they're in the lime light. I seem to remember a vast majority of the Bama fan base useing that same logic, and or excuse when we were under the spot light. Most AU fans stuck their noses up and insisted '' not at our house'' , ''we're not the ones being accused'' ''we run a clean ship'' a person could go on and on with the insane comments and denials that alot of AU fans argued. It's different now though, isn't it?
Interesting though that most of this stuff is ''Booster'' associated, that's a very loose term when the ncaa wants it to be. We'll see.

 

[psychojoe]

The $100 handshake has been around a long time, and not just at Auburn. I heard of instances where it happened in the late sixties and seventies (a close friend of mine's sister was dating a football player). I even heard from a source who had no reason to make this up that a certian Bama QB in that era got married over the summer between his junior and senior seasons and word got around that he and his new bride were having serious money issues. It is said that throughout his senior year once a month an envelope containing cash would show up, shoved under the door of their apartment.

You can't control the handshakes because you can't totally limit access. You can keep boosters out of the locker room or practice field, off the sidelines, etc. but the rest of the time they live in the world.

The bad thing for Auburn is not so much these allegations as the fact that they have been made in so public a forum. Much as in the USCw/Reggie Bush situation the NCAA's hand has been forced and they will have no choice but to dig into this. While they are doing so they will be looking under every rock, so to speak, and it will not be a rapid process (think glacial speeds).

 

[LBS]

Quick question if you please. What do you think the university made when Bama won the championship?

How much money do most College Football programs lose, and do the players help share that load as well?

I read somewhere that all but about a dozen programs lose money, and the one group who never suffer are the student-athletes who's full riders are untouchable and safe.

Schools finance for decades facilities, carry all the financial exposure for lawsuits if some drunk fan base-jumps out of the upper deck, and are left to manage the aftermath of what happens on and off the field (i.e. Bama after rouge booster).

Seeing and going after the occasional profit is a dangerous precedent, because Change is a two way street.