((HT: OTL on ESPN))
The most emotionally raw video that came out of UAB when President Ray Watts announced the dissolving of the football program was the confrontation among the players and Watts himself.
Tristan Henderson's voice was the loudest...
The 26-year-old Iraq vet was a tight end for the team and made a point to go after Watts- personifying the anger of the squad.
His is the voice we remember the most and he was a guest on "Outside The Lines" to talk about the dissolving of the program
Henderson's voice will always be the voice the HQ remembers the most- and we hope it always will be
Showing posts with label ESPN Outside the Lines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ESPN Outside the Lines. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
OTL: Jovan Belcher's Brain Had CTE Traces
((HT: ESPN-OTL/Delsohn))
Steve Delsohn's story on the two years since the death of Kansas City Chief Jovan Belcher, really, is no surprise.
In 2012, Belcher would kill his wife and child in the early morning hours of December 1st. The ensuing investigation after the exhuming of his body yielded the possibility of the Tau protein in his brain that is an indicator of CTE.
The hook from Delsohn:
If it can be shown that Belcher did have CTE, Belcher's daughter and mother, together, would be eligible for up to $4 million under the proposed concussion settlement between the NFL and former players. Furthermore, the lawyers representing Belcher's daughter have filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the Chiefs on her behalf. Belcher's mother, with different attorneys, filed an almost identical suit.
Here's discussion of the lawsuit at the time
((HT: KCPT))
Word was that Belcher's mother had the idea that her son's brain should be examined to determine if concussions could have been a cause or "the" cause in the behavior Jovan Belcher exhibited in, eventually, killing Kasandra Perkins and his 3-month-old daughter.
Scott Pioli was the Chiefs GM at the time and was standing in front of Belcher when he committed suicide. He addressed the subject at the Roman Numeral Classic after the year was over.
((HT: Dan Patrick Show))
Steve Delsohn's story on the two years since the death of Kansas City Chief Jovan Belcher, really, is no surprise.
In 2012, Belcher would kill his wife and child in the early morning hours of December 1st. The ensuing investigation after the exhuming of his body yielded the possibility of the Tau protein in his brain that is an indicator of CTE.
The hook from Delsohn:
If it can be shown that Belcher did have CTE, Belcher's daughter and mother, together, would be eligible for up to $4 million under the proposed concussion settlement between the NFL and former players. Furthermore, the lawyers representing Belcher's daughter have filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the Chiefs on her behalf. Belcher's mother, with different attorneys, filed an almost identical suit.
Here's discussion of the lawsuit at the time
((HT: KCPT))
Word was that Belcher's mother had the idea that her son's brain should be examined to determine if concussions could have been a cause or "the" cause in the behavior Jovan Belcher exhibited in, eventually, killing Kasandra Perkins and his 3-month-old daughter.
Scott Pioli was the Chiefs GM at the time and was standing in front of Belcher when he committed suicide. He addressed the subject at the Roman Numeral Classic after the year was over.
((HT: Dan Patrick Show))
Monday, September 22, 2014
Ravens Owner Says Rice Leaked Info To ESPN for Investigation
In case you haven't read it, you can read the Don Van Natta and Kevin Van Valkenburg investigation RIGHT HERE
Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti came out firing, accusing Rice, his friends and his defense team of leaking information, trying to help build a case for Rice to return to football at some point in time.
He also publicly apologized for not following through and trying to look at the video inside the elevator at the New Jersey Casino. He admitted he was wrong and and wishes he could do it over again.
Bisciotti simultaneously released a letter to the Ravens fan base which is posted on their website: (A brief summary)
--Bisciotti reiterates this: "As I stated to you in my letter on September 9th, we did not do all we should have done and no amount of explanation can remedy that. But there has been no misdirection or misinformation by the Ravens"
--A statement by Ravens head of security Darren Sanders who is been alleged to have seen or informed of the inside the elevator video shortly after Ray Rice punched Janay Rice in the elevator:
“I did not receive an account of what happened in the elevator “within hours” of the incident. Within a couple of days, I asked the casino and the Atlantic City Police Department for a copy of any videotape of the incident. They said they could not release a copy of the videotape to me. Some days later—I believe it was on February 25—I spoke to an Atlantic City police official again, asking again whether I could get a copy of the tape or, if not, whether I could come to his New Jersey office and view it. He said I could not, but he did offer to view the tape and describe what he saw."
---A statement by team G.M Ozzie Newsome who is alleged to have been told exactly what happened by Rice.
“I did not receive an account of what happened in the elevator “within hours” of the incident. Within a couple of days, I asked the casino and the Atlantic City Police Department for a copy of any videotape of the incident. They said they could not release a copy of the videotape to me. Some days later—I believe it was on February 25—I spoke to an Atlantic City police official again, asking again whether I could get a copy of the tape or, if not, whether I could come to his New Jersey office and view it. He said I could not, but he did offer to view the tape and describe what he
saw. "
--And then this, countering the allegation Bisciotti offered Rice a job after releasing him. And that the offer was made for "hush" money:
“I did not receive an account of what happened in the elevator “within hours” of the incident. Within a couple of days, I asked the casino and the Atlantic City Police Department for a copy of any videotape of the incident. They said they could not release a copy of the videotape to me. Some days later—I believe it was on February 25—I spoke to an Atlantic City police official again, asking again whether I could get a copy of the tape or, if not, whether I could come to his New Jersey office and view it. He said I could not, but he did offer to view the tape and describe what he saw. "
You can read the entire statement countering all points of the article RIGHT HERE
Bisciotti spent a good portion of the time talking about his surprise the NFL did not know about the video and not thinking to ask Rice's lawyer, who DID have the tape, to see it.
He also got emotional denying that he lobbied NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for a shorter suspension for Rice initially saying, "Why would I do that?" "I played golf with the commissioner but nobody has ever accused us of being friends" "I expected a 4-6 game suspension for Ray, not 2"
Another strong statement: The NFL has never escalated domestic violence to the level of bar fights and drugs. And to be honest, he's right. He's done a strong job of stating the NFL's weakness, inequity and lack of a strong discipline policy. He also said this is a great opportunity for the league and for Goodell to take the lead and change and elevate the response to domestic violence.
To his credit, Bisciotti was quite a bit more open and emotional than NFL commissioner Roger Goodell when talking about the issue. He did not hide behind vagueness, he was upset he and his team's integrity was being questioned. And his team came prepared to repute every aspect of ESPN's report.
We suspect the truth in this matter, like most, lies somewhere between these two stories. But props to Bisciotti and the Ravens team for being prepared and able to explain every accusation.
We hope to god this is the end of the lengthy press conferences about this subject. It happened. It was horrible. A lot of people made a lot of mistakes. Let's find out who did and when the time is right, release the information.
But until then, we are ready for the Sports world to move on.
Friday, September 19, 2014
ESPN Eviscerates Ravens and NFL's Ray Rice Explanation
((ht: espn.com))
Oh boy! Nothing like dropping a bombshell on a Friday night. But man, if you are following the saga of the NFL, Baltimore Ravens and how they handled the Ray Rice incident, this is huge.
ESPN's Outside the Line produced a detailed report that went into great behind the scenes detail to explain what the Baltimore Ravens and the NFL may or may not have known while investigating now former Raven Ray Rice.
You can read their fantastically detailed report RIGHT HERE
Yeah...
The report cites multiple sources who say the Ravens knew quite a bit more about what happened than they let on. But they gave Rice the benefit of the doubt because of the good deeds he'd done for them.
But it also details Rice's lawyer seeing the videotape long before it was made public and making the team aware of it. In fact, they apparently knew just hours after the February incident, exactly what happened. Which DIRECTLY contradicts what team owner Steve Bisciotti has gone on the record saying.
It also speaks about Ravens coach John Harbaugh wanting Rice gone immediately after hearing about what happened. Harbaugh was overruled by team president Dick Cass and G.M Ozzie Newsome. Harbaugh apparently tried again when two other players got in trouble to cut those two along with Rice. Again he was overruled. This all happened before the video became public.
Essentially, the report calls the Ravens liars.
And Roger Goodell along with his investigators are not spared. While not saying Goodell himself actually saw the video, the NFL itself was apparently well aware of what happened. The report does portray Goodell as regretting his decision early in the process, but he eventually bowed to pressure from the Ravens to do them a favor.
Again, you REALLY need to watch this report. If you thought highly of the NFL and their credibility before, this should end it. Of course the Jolly Roger's press conference on Friday didn't help things much either.
Here's your video story from ESPN.com:
Oh boy! Nothing like dropping a bombshell on a Friday night. But man, if you are following the saga of the NFL, Baltimore Ravens and how they handled the Ray Rice incident, this is huge.
ESPN's Outside the Line produced a detailed report that went into great behind the scenes detail to explain what the Baltimore Ravens and the NFL may or may not have known while investigating now former Raven Ray Rice.
You can read their fantastically detailed report RIGHT HERE
Yeah...
The report cites multiple sources who say the Ravens knew quite a bit more about what happened than they let on. But they gave Rice the benefit of the doubt because of the good deeds he'd done for them.
But it also details Rice's lawyer seeing the videotape long before it was made public and making the team aware of it. In fact, they apparently knew just hours after the February incident, exactly what happened. Which DIRECTLY contradicts what team owner Steve Bisciotti has gone on the record saying.
It also speaks about Ravens coach John Harbaugh wanting Rice gone immediately after hearing about what happened. Harbaugh was overruled by team president Dick Cass and G.M Ozzie Newsome. Harbaugh apparently tried again when two other players got in trouble to cut those two along with Rice. Again he was overruled. This all happened before the video became public.
Essentially, the report calls the Ravens liars.
And Roger Goodell along with his investigators are not spared. While not saying Goodell himself actually saw the video, the NFL itself was apparently well aware of what happened. The report does portray Goodell as regretting his decision early in the process, but he eventually bowed to pressure from the Ravens to do them a favor.
Again, you REALLY need to watch this report. If you thought highly of the NFL and their credibility before, this should end it. Of course the Jolly Roger's press conference on Friday didn't help things much either.
Here's your video story from ESPN.com:
Monday, August 18, 2014
Tulsa Facing Title IX Lawsuit Over Hoops Player
((HT: ESPN/KTUL-TV))
Pat Swilling was a tremendous linebacker for Georgia Tech and the New Orleans Saints...
His son is a promising basketball player at Tulsa University. But the younger Swilling is in the middle of a firestorm at the moment involving a lawsuit filed in a federal court Monday that claims the school failed to protect a female student from an individual with a past of alleged sexual indiscretions.
Swilling, in the suit, is detailed to have been in three previous incidents involving attempted or alleged sexual assaults- one in Idaho at his previous school, one at Tulsa, and another incident in town off campus.
It's a heavy list of accusations and part of a larger investigation that ESPN is doing...
Paula Lavigne discusses with Cary Chow
And Lavigne's story is must reading hyah on all three previous instances and the holes in the system in both Idaho and Tulsa...
In late April, the Tulsa DA's office didn't press charges against Swilling. Swilling's attorney, Corbin Brewster, said the allegations made "were not credible."
President Stedman Upham said, in a prepared statement released to the media, that Tulsa stands by its Title IX practices:
"The safety of University of Tulsa students, faculty and staff is our top priority at all times. The university has a robust policy to investigate allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault in a thorough and deliberate manner.
Although this legal filing has been widely distributed to media outlets, the lawsuit has not been served on the university. As such, we have not yet been able to thoroughly review the lawsuit; but, from media reports, it appears misinformation already is developing regarding our handling of this matter.
This process was carried out fully and completely in the case in question, including communicating the official policy to all parties involved. As soon as the incident was reported, university administrators immediately began the investigation process.
We conducted our investigation in a fair and timely manner, cooperating fully with local law enforcement.
TU's policy on sexual violence is far-reaching; and although investigation is a critical component, our plan to protect our students extends well beyond. This policy includes a proactive approach to ensuring student safety, which is reviewed and updated annually, if not more frequently. During the previous academic year, the university has taken steps to further protect students, including limiting access to campus, implementing a Rape Aggression Defense program and coordinating an initiative called iStand to fight sexual violence.
TU's policy on sexual violence was developed using recommendations from the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault. Leading this effort was our Dean of Students assisted by university legal counsel, the Title IX coordinator and members of TU's Sexual Violence Prevention and Educational Programming Committee (commonly referred to as the Advocacy Alliance), which is comprised of faculty, staff and students from the following departments: Student Affairs, Counseling Services, Campus Security, Athletics, Psychology (including the Institute for Trauma, Adversity and Injustice), and Housing and Residential Life.
As TU welcomes its freshman class, these students will learn what other TU students and alumni already know, which is their safety and well-being is and remains our foremost priority."
Pat Swilling was a tremendous linebacker for Georgia Tech and the New Orleans Saints...
His son is a promising basketball player at Tulsa University. But the younger Swilling is in the middle of a firestorm at the moment involving a lawsuit filed in a federal court Monday that claims the school failed to protect a female student from an individual with a past of alleged sexual indiscretions.
Swilling, in the suit, is detailed to have been in three previous incidents involving attempted or alleged sexual assaults- one in Idaho at his previous school, one at Tulsa, and another incident in town off campus.
It's a heavy list of accusations and part of a larger investigation that ESPN is doing...
Paula Lavigne discusses with Cary Chow
And Lavigne's story is must reading hyah on all three previous instances and the holes in the system in both Idaho and Tulsa...
In late April, the Tulsa DA's office didn't press charges against Swilling. Swilling's attorney, Corbin Brewster, said the allegations made "were not credible."
President Stedman Upham said, in a prepared statement released to the media, that Tulsa stands by its Title IX practices:
"The safety of University of Tulsa students, faculty and staff is our top priority at all times. The university has a robust policy to investigate allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault in a thorough and deliberate manner.
Although this legal filing has been widely distributed to media outlets, the lawsuit has not been served on the university. As such, we have not yet been able to thoroughly review the lawsuit; but, from media reports, it appears misinformation already is developing regarding our handling of this matter.
This process was carried out fully and completely in the case in question, including communicating the official policy to all parties involved. As soon as the incident was reported, university administrators immediately began the investigation process.
We conducted our investigation in a fair and timely manner, cooperating fully with local law enforcement.
TU's policy on sexual violence is far-reaching; and although investigation is a critical component, our plan to protect our students extends well beyond. This policy includes a proactive approach to ensuring student safety, which is reviewed and updated annually, if not more frequently. During the previous academic year, the university has taken steps to further protect students, including limiting access to campus, implementing a Rape Aggression Defense program and coordinating an initiative called iStand to fight sexual violence.
TU's policy on sexual violence was developed using recommendations from the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault. Leading this effort was our Dean of Students assisted by university legal counsel, the Title IX coordinator and members of TU's Sexual Violence Prevention and Educational Programming Committee (commonly referred to as the Advocacy Alliance), which is comprised of faculty, staff and students from the following departments: Student Affairs, Counseling Services, Campus Security, Athletics, Psychology (including the Institute for Trauma, Adversity and Injustice), and Housing and Residential Life.
As TU welcomes its freshman class, these students will learn what other TU students and alumni already know, which is their safety and well-being is and remains our foremost priority."
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Donald Sterling's Past Is Condensed
((HT: ESPN))
It started when Donald Sterling tried channeling his inner Al Davis when he bought the San Diego Clippers and wanted to move them to Los Angeles. He did and didn't care what the NBA thought then or now...
He had a history of not investing, openly expressed the desire to tank to improve his draft position, and apparently fawning over his athletes. And that's just on the court...
The businessman and his wife, Shelly, were just as ruthless off the court with the business dealings- lawsuits and public perceptions be damned...
Here's John Barr's short version of "Outside The Lines" accumulation of the Sterlings transgressions that were either unchecked, ignored, or both by the league that enabled his behavior- until just recently...
The Mike Fish story is a good read as to how when someone is allowed to run unfettered in hos thought patters and values, the 2014 version of Donald Sterling is allowed to happen...
It started when Donald Sterling tried channeling his inner Al Davis when he bought the San Diego Clippers and wanted to move them to Los Angeles. He did and didn't care what the NBA thought then or now...
He had a history of not investing, openly expressed the desire to tank to improve his draft position, and apparently fawning over his athletes. And that's just on the court...
The businessman and his wife, Shelly, were just as ruthless off the court with the business dealings- lawsuits and public perceptions be damned...
Here's John Barr's short version of "Outside The Lines" accumulation of the Sterlings transgressions that were either unchecked, ignored, or both by the league that enabled his behavior- until just recently...
The Mike Fish story is a good read as to how when someone is allowed to run unfettered in hos thought patters and values, the 2014 version of Donald Sterling is allowed to happen...
Monday, January 27, 2014
Mizzou Finally Looking Into 2010 Rape Allegations
((HT: KOMU-TV))
The University of Missouri system will now look into allegations centering around a 2010 sexual assault of swimmer Sasha Menu Courey- possibly by one or more members of the football team at the time...
System President Tim Wolfe released a statement after an ESPN report that said in part:
"In light of the ESPN "Outside The Lines" report that questioned the response of our Columbia campus to an alleged sexual assault of a former MU student athlete who also suffered from severe mental illness, I want to address the questions raised with all of you and ask for your immediate assistance and support. I am asking the board of curators to hire outside independent counsel to conduct an investigation of MU's handling of matters related to Ms. Courey."
OTL published a story that claims the university did not tell law enforcement about the alleged rape of Courey despite administrators finding out about the alleged incident more than a year ago.
Menu Courey committed suicide in 2011.
Here's the local coverage...
In addition to any retroactive investigating by state officials on any possible negligence in not pursuing the Courey case, the Missouri system could also face an inquiry by the Office of Civil Rights...
And the HQ is looking forward to this investigation...
The University of Missouri system will now look into allegations centering around a 2010 sexual assault of swimmer Sasha Menu Courey- possibly by one or more members of the football team at the time...
System President Tim Wolfe released a statement after an ESPN report that said in part:
"In light of the ESPN "Outside The Lines" report that questioned the response of our Columbia campus to an alleged sexual assault of a former MU student athlete who also suffered from severe mental illness, I want to address the questions raised with all of you and ask for your immediate assistance and support. I am asking the board of curators to hire outside independent counsel to conduct an investigation of MU's handling of matters related to Ms. Courey."
OTL published a story that claims the university did not tell law enforcement about the alleged rape of Courey despite administrators finding out about the alleged incident more than a year ago.
Menu Courey committed suicide in 2011.
Here's the local coverage...
In addition to any retroactive investigating by state officials on any possible negligence in not pursuing the Courey case, the Missouri system could also face an inquiry by the Office of Civil Rights...
And the HQ is looking forward to this investigation...
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Ryan Braun Doesn't Answer Questions
((HT: ESPN))
A new "Outside The Lines" report from ESPN details the lack of cooperation during the interviewing process that the Brewers' Ryan Braun and that Major League Baseball may be handing down as many as 20 suspensions in and around the All-Star Break.
Names like Braun, Alex Rodriguez, Nelson Cruz, Bartolo Colon, Melky Cabrera, Jesus Montero, Jhonny Peralta and Everth Cabrera may be linked and could cause serious damage to a bunch of fantasy teams across the world.
Braun is also set to return to action after his bruised thumb is no longer hampering his swing. A-Rod is in minor league rehab currently trying to find his swing.
Jim Basquil catches up with a bearded TJ Quinn
A new "Outside The Lines" report from ESPN details the lack of cooperation during the interviewing process that the Brewers' Ryan Braun and that Major League Baseball may be handing down as many as 20 suspensions in and around the All-Star Break.
Names like Braun, Alex Rodriguez, Nelson Cruz, Bartolo Colon, Melky Cabrera, Jesus Montero, Jhonny Peralta and Everth Cabrera may be linked and could cause serious damage to a bunch of fantasy teams across the world.
Braun is also set to return to action after his bruised thumb is no longer hampering his swing. A-Rod is in minor league rehab currently trying to find his swing.
Jim Basquil catches up with a bearded TJ Quinn
Monday, April 22, 2013
Auburn AD Jacobs Officially Refutes Selena Roberts And ESPN
((HT: Auburn Athletics))
First, to recap...
Here's what everyone is talking about...
Here's the link to the Selena Roberts story on her new site that stirred up trouble...
Roberts discussed it with Tim Brando during the week of the national title game in Atlanta...
((HT: CBS Sports))
And the hurriedly-assembled Shaun Assael story from the four-letter...
((HT: ESPN))
Auburn Athletics Director Jay Jacobs, himself under fire for running the successful athletics program into the ground on the field, came out swinging Monday morning with the release of the University's own investigation into the above firestorm brought on by Auburn alumna Roberts...
The school's conclusions...
No academic fraud on Michael Dyer's behalf:
The article alleges improper grade changes took place to make nine student-athletes eligible for the 2011 BCS National Championship Game. That is false. In fact, six players were academically ineligible for the BCS National Championship game, and none of them made the trip to Arizona with the team.
The article also states that former football student-athlete Michael Dyer was academically ineligible prior to the BCS National Championship game. That is also false. Mr. Dyer was never in danger of academic ineligibility. In fact, he passed 15 hours during the fall of 2010 (nine more than required by the NCAA) and had a 2.8 GPA at the end of the fall semester. Mr. Dyer actually passed a combined 24 hours in the summer and fall semesters.
Mike McNeil's grades were adjusted according to university policy and not by an alleged academic counselor that acted on behalf of the university:
The article also implies that an academic counselor who works with the athletic department kept Mike McNeil eligible by changing his grade in a course from an F to a C. The article fails to point out that the professor changed Mr. McNeil's grade after documented reasons were provided, including excused absences from classes for medical reasons. The independent review by Auburn University Internal Auditing showed that all institutional policies regarding grade changes for excused absences were followed.
Shenanigans around McNeil, Dre Kirkpatrick, and Will Muschamp...??? The university investigation gave this:
It is also worth noting that while Mr. McNeil also alleges that former Auburn assistant coach Will Muschamp paid him during the 2007 season, Coach Muschamp immediately and publicly denied the allegations, as was widely reported throughout the media.
The article also claims that Mr. McNeil recalls receiving $500 cash to entertain a former prospect, Dre Kirkpatrick, while Mr. Kirkpatrick was on an official visit to Auburn. Mr. Kirkpatrick never took an official visit to Auburn. Mr. Kirkpatrick has since publicly stated that no one at Auburn gave him money or spent money on him during unofficial visits to our campus.
Jacobs also defended former head coach Gene Chizik and Darvin Adams released a statement through Chizik's attorney denying his effort to be paid to "stay" in school for his senior season... which seems somewhat counter-productive to anyone who thinks they have a chance at a pro career... if you want to go and people tell you that there's a chance you'll get drafted...
You'll go...
The Athletics Department even goes on to a point-by-point discussion of the allegations involving contact between the McNeil family and the school by divulging phone records, drug testing time frames, and McNeil's desire to transfer to another school.
Now, if Jacobs had shown this kind of nerve earlier in his career, he may not be on the hot seat that he's on now...
First, to recap...
Here's what everyone is talking about...
Here's the link to the Selena Roberts story on her new site that stirred up trouble...
Roberts discussed it with Tim Brando during the week of the national title game in Atlanta...
((HT: CBS Sports))
And the hurriedly-assembled Shaun Assael story from the four-letter...
((HT: ESPN))
Auburn Athletics Director Jay Jacobs, himself under fire for running the successful athletics program into the ground on the field, came out swinging Monday morning with the release of the University's own investigation into the above firestorm brought on by Auburn alumna Roberts...
The school's conclusions...
No academic fraud on Michael Dyer's behalf:
The article alleges improper grade changes took place to make nine student-athletes eligible for the 2011 BCS National Championship Game. That is false. In fact, six players were academically ineligible for the BCS National Championship game, and none of them made the trip to Arizona with the team.
The article also states that former football student-athlete Michael Dyer was academically ineligible prior to the BCS National Championship game. That is also false. Mr. Dyer was never in danger of academic ineligibility. In fact, he passed 15 hours during the fall of 2010 (nine more than required by the NCAA) and had a 2.8 GPA at the end of the fall semester. Mr. Dyer actually passed a combined 24 hours in the summer and fall semesters.
Mike McNeil's grades were adjusted according to university policy and not by an alleged academic counselor that acted on behalf of the university:
The article also implies that an academic counselor who works with the athletic department kept Mike McNeil eligible by changing his grade in a course from an F to a C. The article fails to point out that the professor changed Mr. McNeil's grade after documented reasons were provided, including excused absences from classes for medical reasons. The independent review by Auburn University Internal Auditing showed that all institutional policies regarding grade changes for excused absences were followed.
Shenanigans around McNeil, Dre Kirkpatrick, and Will Muschamp...??? The university investigation gave this:
It is also worth noting that while Mr. McNeil also alleges that former Auburn assistant coach Will Muschamp paid him during the 2007 season, Coach Muschamp immediately and publicly denied the allegations, as was widely reported throughout the media.
The article also claims that Mr. McNeil recalls receiving $500 cash to entertain a former prospect, Dre Kirkpatrick, while Mr. Kirkpatrick was on an official visit to Auburn. Mr. Kirkpatrick never took an official visit to Auburn. Mr. Kirkpatrick has since publicly stated that no one at Auburn gave him money or spent money on him during unofficial visits to our campus.
Jacobs also defended former head coach Gene Chizik and Darvin Adams released a statement through Chizik's attorney denying his effort to be paid to "stay" in school for his senior season... which seems somewhat counter-productive to anyone who thinks they have a chance at a pro career... if you want to go and people tell you that there's a chance you'll get drafted...
You'll go...
The Athletics Department even goes on to a point-by-point discussion of the allegations involving contact between the McNeil family and the school by divulging phone records, drug testing time frames, and McNeil's desire to transfer to another school.
Now, if Jacobs had shown this kind of nerve earlier in his career, he may not be on the hot seat that he's on now...
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Are the Auburn Gates Beginning To Open? ESPN Confirms Part of Wednesday's Story
((ht: espn.com))So, most football fans south of the Ohio have been caught up in the implications swirling after a scathing report claimed all kinds of improprieties surrounding the Auburn Tigers football team.
The report on a "new" website, run by a former New York Times reporter and Auburn alum quoted multiple football players accusing the school of paying players, fixing grades and essentially institutional racism.
We voiced our thoughts on that story by Serena Roberts on Roopstigo.com earlier today.
You can read the original story by Roberts, RIGHT HERE
There were many accusations in Roberts story, including that the school protected multiple players who failed drug tests before the 2010 National Championship game.
And today (Friday) comes a follow up story by ESPN's "Outside the Lines" explaining how the school kept drug tests confidential and was fully aware of multiple players using synthetic marijuana and did nothing about it.
You can read that story RIGHT HERE\
And yes, we'll direct this paragraph to brother Jon. While the ESPN.com story does not validate the entire Serena Roberts story, it confirms a portion of it.
And Auburn AD Jay Jacobs confirmed it. (The marijuana part)
So, the takeaway from this is simple: Auburn played the 2010 Championship Game with players that arguably shouldn't have been eligible. Yet they were.
By no means are we implying Auburn is the only school that looked around the "Synthetic Marijuana" issue. There were reports that same year that Georgia looked away from then star tailback Isiah Crowell's positive result for the same drug the week before the Georgia/Florida game.
Here's our initial story RIGHT HERE
We had been told that Crowell was the player in question, but nobody would at the time confirm it. Crowell and 2 other players were suspended the following week...vs. New Mexico State.
You can read that story RIGHT HERE
Our point here is this: There have been some questions about the Selena Roberts report. Several have said she "Has a vendetta" "She's looking for revenge". And maybe that is a factor in her reporting, which focuses around former Auburn Safety Mike McNeil. But as time passes, confirmation of the story is beginning to surface.
If the drug test/abuse allegations are true, than what other parts are? Yeah, sure, most in the SEC world are saying "So what, everybody does stuff like this". And they may be right. But Auburn is again in the spotlight for it.
Expect an NCAA Investigation for what that is worth (another). And expect it to probably not get anywhere.
But we've said all along, "Where there's smoke, there is fire" and it sure sounds like that's beginning to hold very, very true.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
And Tyree Graham Gets Past 7-Second Delay...
((HT: Awful Announcing/petertheleaderTV))
This is also the personification as to why Bob Ley is, and will always be, awesome...
"Outside The Lines" wanted to keep the Mike Rice discussion going and caught up with a former player, Tyree Graham, who forgot one of the basic tenets of Live Television...
That he was, in fact, on live television...
And Ley just kep' on goin' after apologizing...
A lesson for all of us...
This is also the personification as to why Bob Ley is, and will always be, awesome...
"Outside The Lines" wanted to keep the Mike Rice discussion going and caught up with a former player, Tyree Graham, who forgot one of the basic tenets of Live Television...
That he was, in fact, on live television...
And Ley just kep' on goin' after apologizing...
A lesson for all of us...
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
And Why Is Mike Rice Still Employed...???
((HT: ESPN/OTL))
"Outside The Lines" showed tape today of a compilation of Rutgers head hoops coach Mike Rice delivering some very colorful language during some practices over the last little while. It had been rumored that Rice had delivered his strings of colorful metaphors since 2010, but this is the first time the tapes had been made public.
Rutgers AD Tom Pernetti, whose hiring of Rice is considered the signature hire of his administration, showed the tapes before the OTL report this morning as a bit of a pre-emptive strike on any kind of reporting and subsequent backlash.
Rice had been suspended three games and fined $50,000 for his outbursts back in December, and the matter had been considered somewhat closed... until today...
Here's a look at a little bit of it...excellent work by John Barr on the story if you haven't seen it...
Eric Murdock was the Director of Player Personnel for the school until last July, His lawyer contends that his client was fired for whistleblowing and is filing a wrongful termination suit against the school.
Pernetti claims Rice is returning next season...
"Outside The Lines" showed tape today of a compilation of Rutgers head hoops coach Mike Rice delivering some very colorful language during some practices over the last little while. It had been rumored that Rice had delivered his strings of colorful metaphors since 2010, but this is the first time the tapes had been made public.
Rutgers AD Tom Pernetti, whose hiring of Rice is considered the signature hire of his administration, showed the tapes before the OTL report this morning as a bit of a pre-emptive strike on any kind of reporting and subsequent backlash.
Rice had been suspended three games and fined $50,000 for his outbursts back in December, and the matter had been considered somewhat closed... until today...
Here's a look at a little bit of it...excellent work by John Barr on the story if you haven't seen it...
Eric Murdock was the Director of Player Personnel for the school until last July, His lawyer contends that his client was fired for whistleblowing and is filing a wrongful termination suit against the school.
Pernetti claims Rice is returning next season...
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Paterno Family Trying To Unring The Sandusky Bell
((HT: WHP-TV/ESPN))
It is all carefully staged at this point...
The first salvo was the Sue Paterno open letter trying to explain who her late husband, Joe, really was...
Now, before Sue Paterno gives, what surely will be, an emotional interview with Katie Couric...
ESPN has timed and cooperated with an embargo of a report co-authored and researched by former Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh (among others) who addressed the self-thought of "holes and inaccuracies" in the Freeh Report...
To refute, somewhat, coach Paterno could probably have issues spelling the word e-mail- much less understanding what it is and how to use it within the Penn State system. If Freeh anointed himself "judge, jury, and executioner" then the issues are to be with the university for signing off on the conclusions- not Freeh or the NCAA.
The issues should be resolved with the school as the family tries to reclaim what's left of a tattered reputation.
The family's full report, courtesy, of ESPN is hyah...
Part of Freeh's response to the Paternos says:
Mr. Paterno was on notice for at least 13 years that Sandusky, one of his longest serving assistants, and whose office was steps away, was a probable serial pedophile. Mr. Paterno was aware of the criminal 1998 investigation into Sandusky's suspected child sexual abuse. Indeed, the evidence shows that Mr. Paterno closely followed that case. Later, in 2001, another one of his assistants, Mr. McQueary, directly reported to Mr. Paterno that Sandusky was sexually abusing a young boy in Mr. Paterno's Penn State football locker room. The evidence shows that Mr. Paterno purposefully ignored this evidence.
So, to the Paternos, good luck in your Pee-Ahr campaign. It will be interesting to see how many of us outside of State College buy what you're selling...
Especially tomorrow...
It is all carefully staged at this point...
The first salvo was the Sue Paterno open letter trying to explain who her late husband, Joe, really was...
Now, before Sue Paterno gives, what surely will be, an emotional interview with Katie Couric...
ESPN has timed and cooperated with an embargo of a report co-authored and researched by former Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh (among others) who addressed the self-thought of "holes and inaccuracies" in the Freeh Report...
To refute, somewhat, coach Paterno could probably have issues spelling the word e-mail- much less understanding what it is and how to use it within the Penn State system. If Freeh anointed himself "judge, jury, and executioner" then the issues are to be with the university for signing off on the conclusions- not Freeh or the NCAA.
The issues should be resolved with the school as the family tries to reclaim what's left of a tattered reputation.
The family's full report, courtesy, of ESPN is hyah...
Part of Freeh's response to the Paternos says:
Mr. Paterno was on notice for at least 13 years that Sandusky, one of his longest serving assistants, and whose office was steps away, was a probable serial pedophile. Mr. Paterno was aware of the criminal 1998 investigation into Sandusky's suspected child sexual abuse. Indeed, the evidence shows that Mr. Paterno closely followed that case. Later, in 2001, another one of his assistants, Mr. McQueary, directly reported to Mr. Paterno that Sandusky was sexually abusing a young boy in Mr. Paterno's Penn State football locker room. The evidence shows that Mr. Paterno purposefully ignored this evidence.
So, to the Paternos, good luck in your Pee-Ahr campaign. It will be interesting to see how many of us outside of State College buy what you're selling...
Especially tomorrow...
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Laurie Fine To Sue ESPN For Libel
She says that her reputation was destroyed when the stories aired about her husband, former Syracuse assistant Bernie Fine, in the past year as ESPN investigated the sexual abuse allegations in Syracuse...
ESPN is standing by their series of stories even as both ex-ballboys, Bobby Davis and Mike Lang, probably had their statute of limitations run out for any kind of case. A third man, Zach Tomaselli, has waffled about alleged abuse by Fine as well. Now serving time in a Maine jail Tomaselli says Fine abused him.
Laurie Fine also says that ESPN doctored an audio tape that the network played detailing her alleged knowledge of her husband's sexual behavior.
The family's house is now on the market, there is question as to whether or not Laurie and Bernie Fine are still married, and Laurie Fine actually held the news conference 45 minutes outside of town...
Here's CNYCentral's coverage...
And the presser in full...
ESPN is standing by their series of stories even as both ex-ballboys, Bobby Davis and Mike Lang, probably had their statute of limitations run out for any kind of case. A third man, Zach Tomaselli, has waffled about alleged abuse by Fine as well. Now serving time in a Maine jail Tomaselli says Fine abused him.
Laurie Fine also says that ESPN doctored an audio tape that the network played detailing her alleged knowledge of her husband's sexual behavior.
The family's house is now on the market, there is question as to whether or not Laurie and Bernie Fine are still married, and Laurie Fine actually held the news conference 45 minutes outside of town...
Here's CNYCentral's coverage...
And the presser in full...
Monday, April 23, 2012
ESPN report: Saints GM eavesdropped on opponents (UPDATED with Saints Follow-Up)
((ht: espn.com/outsidethelines))
Hmmmm...this could be interesting. It could be a bombshell or it could be an embarrassment to someone depending on whom you believe.
Monday afternoon, ESPN revealed a report on its "Long-Form" investigative show "Outside the Lines" that said New Orleans Saints GM Mickey Loomis had audio from opposing teams communications piped into his box at the Superdome from 2002-2004.
No, really. They said it.
Check out their story RIGHT HERE
You can also watch it:
For their part,the Saints have responded and called the report a bunch of Baloney. However, someone considers the charges serious because they apparently have been sent to the U.S Attorney's office.
We are guessing that those charges have something to do with wiretapping, but we aren't lawyers, so we could be wrong.
U.S Attorney Jim Lefflen told NOLA.com that he was made aware of the issue on Friday, but declined to say who informed him about it. (And he could but didn't say it might have been a 4-letter acronym)
The Saints also told the paper that they asked ESPN to provide them the information or some of background on what and why they were reporting the story.
They didn't get any.
Read the NOLA.com story RIGHT HERE
This story is going to get ugly for someone really fast, but we don't know exactly whom that will be. Either Loomis and the Saints or ESPN isn't being truthful here. The ESPN story mentions a previous incarnation of a listening device put in place for former GM Randy Mueller to listen to his own teams conversations.
That seems to be the impetus for this story.
Without knowing who brought the information forward, it may never be proven. We respect the heck out of John Barr and his reporting skills, but this story doesn't connect the dots very well. It is very heavy on Federal eavesdropping and very little on how or why it was done.
We also might add the Saints weren't exactly world beaters during that time period and the report doesn't imply it is still being done.
Stay tuned here, like we said, this could get interesting. If true, Loomis is done, if not, ESPN is putting an awful lot on the line.
TUESDAY UPDATE: WWL-TV's Chick Foret was interviewed on the subject...
Barr tried to track him down for the piece...
Former Saints Exec Jim Miller was interviewed about it as well...
 |
| Mickey Loomis |
Hmmmm...this could be interesting. It could be a bombshell or it could be an embarrassment to someone depending on whom you believe.
Monday afternoon, ESPN revealed a report on its "Long-Form" investigative show "Outside the Lines" that said New Orleans Saints GM Mickey Loomis had audio from opposing teams communications piped into his box at the Superdome from 2002-2004.
No, really. They said it.
Check out their story RIGHT HERE
You can also watch it:
For their part,the Saints have responded and called the report a bunch of Baloney. However, someone considers the charges serious because they apparently have been sent to the U.S Attorney's office.
We are guessing that those charges have something to do with wiretapping, but we aren't lawyers, so we could be wrong.
U.S Attorney Jim Lefflen told NOLA.com that he was made aware of the issue on Friday, but declined to say who informed him about it. (And he could but didn't say it might have been a 4-letter acronym)
The Saints also told the paper that they asked ESPN to provide them the information or some of background on what and why they were reporting the story.
They didn't get any.
Read the NOLA.com story RIGHT HERE
This story is going to get ugly for someone really fast, but we don't know exactly whom that will be. Either Loomis and the Saints or ESPN isn't being truthful here. The ESPN story mentions a previous incarnation of a listening device put in place for former GM Randy Mueller to listen to his own teams conversations.
That seems to be the impetus for this story.
Without knowing who brought the information forward, it may never be proven. We respect the heck out of John Barr and his reporting skills, but this story doesn't connect the dots very well. It is very heavy on Federal eavesdropping and very little on how or why it was done.
We also might add the Saints weren't exactly world beaters during that time period and the report doesn't imply it is still being done.
Stay tuned here, like we said, this could get interesting. If true, Loomis is done, if not, ESPN is putting an awful lot on the line.
TUESDAY UPDATE: WWL-TV's Chick Foret was interviewed on the subject...
Barr tried to track him down for the piece...
Former Saints Exec Jim Miller was interviewed about it as well...
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