November 25, 2004
More smoke, allegations at Ohio State
Three former Ohio State players have come forward to corroborate the allegations made by Maurice Clarett against the university.
The former players, WR Drew Carter, LB Fred Pagac Jr., and FB Jack Tucker, said that they knew tutors that would complete homework for players and a booster culture that spawned "$100 handshakes". Carter also claims that he was overpaid for working odd jobs.
Clarett said he received money "in the thousands" from boosters after posting big rushing totals in games. On the subject of fans and boosters offering "$100 handshakes," Tucker responds as if it were common knowledge. "Yeah, I believe that happens," he says. "I mean, tell me something I don't already know."
On the heels of a November 15 visit to Columbus by investigators, the NCAA wants to interview Clarett about possible improprieties.
Here's the problem for Ohio State: Clarett has an ax to grind with the university. He got perks from boosters (no doubt) and the university didn't have his back. So, Clarett's allegations are tainted by his bias against OSU.
But when other players -- including academic All-Americans -- start coming forward with credible allegations, watch out. It's going to get real ugly, real fast in Columbus.
Comments:
posted on November 28, 2004 2:31 PM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue said:
I think Jeff is referring to Katz's GPA troubles.
John said:
posted on January 1, 2005 10:49 PM — 151.201.247.239 — link — abuse?
This whole thing makes me sick. ESPN must be owned by the National Enquirer. Even now with the Smith situation, I don't recall ever in my 44 years seeing a University attacked in this manner. Smith IS NOT a "smoking gun". He is another example of a young man who excercised poor judgement and is now paying the price. ESPN is full of it and so is Clarett. I didn't see this type of attack happen to Florida State, Miami, or any other major program who experienced issues of all types over the last 25 years. ESPN has outright manipulated reports and facts to champion its cause. Example: the "special" outside the lines targeted after the Alamo Bowl the other night. This was a planned assault as even Jeremy Schapp tried to manipulate the reporter from the Cleveland Plain Dealer to say that Jim Tressel and Andy Geiger were responsible for this mess. ESPN was embarassed 2 yrs ago when they basicly reported that OSU didn't belong on the same field with Miami. Then they played the game. Oops! No, the fact is ESPN and all of its offshoot idiots are responsible as well as Clarett. As far as the "$100" handshakes lets ask Trev and Mark about them. To quote Trev from the other night "They either cover it up or they're naive". Guess what ESPN? If you don't think that doesn't happen all the time at EVERY program in the USA you are completely full of $h!*! ESPN is a great network but this attack of OSU is outrageous and is the worst example of "trash" reporting that I have ever seen. They're doing it because they caused it in September of 02. Perhaps ESPN should hire more people like Fowler & Co and get rid of all of the trashy, jock sniffing wimps who never played a down but enjoy "hanging out" in the locker room. Clarett is a foolish young man who ruined what could have a great career not only at OSU but quite possibly the NFL as well. No whining story tellers who lack the common sense God gave a goose and blaime all of lifes problems on everyone above them allowed in the NFL. Or at least "NOT FOR LONG" Where is any credible evidence from anything that could be seen as truthful and reliable sources? Every bit of so called supporting evidence is twisted and distorted or comes from absolutely unreliable, axe to grind sources. They also only post comments that supports their cause. Where is Craig Krenzel,Mike Doss, or anyone else's comments from any era of OSU football who could be deemed credible? Better yet, why are they not quoting them? Because it doesn't fit ESPN and all of its cronies forum that's why. Anybody who truely listened to the ESPN recording of its interview with MC can hear nothing more than a bitter young man who now knows he screwed up, ROYAL! Good luck to him. He'll need it no matter what he does with the rest of his life.
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Mark said:
posted on November 26, 2004 9:03 AM — 68.56.168.170 — link — abuse?Until ESPN comes up with one live person who said they did this or that, this story is nothing new. The NCAA already heard ALL of these allegations, investigated them and left town the first time.
FWIW, Carter's statements are troubling...yet he has no real first-hand info to share. He worked his job...and what..the players talk about who has the good summer jobs? You think they talk about which girls on campus like FB players too? Well let's suspend them all then.
What football university in the our country doesn't have things like this "known" to the players. If some tutor is writing outlines, the lazy kids will find out and take advantage. I would guess it happens everywhere. Doesn't make it right, but again, doesn't mean JT knew of it...so let's talk to the tutor. What is his/her name? Can someone please produce this guy???
To suggest that JT is behind some giant pay to play conspiracy is hogwash. ESPN is pushing this assassination piece because they helped create this monster....
They were the ones along with SI (after MC's 225 yard debut against WSU) who staged the "one and done" photo, having MC toss his OSU jersey to the ground. They were the ones who put him on a pedistal ...only after his cover story did he start signing balls "GOAT". They ahad a 19 year old phenom athlete who would say anything to anyone...and they wanted the world to know it.
(a JC transfer)Tucker's statement is not believable. He was forever being pulled out of bars, incoherent and unable to function in his 2 years at OSU. He never started or played any meaningful minutes in part because he was constantly in violation of or receiving treatment per the university's DA policy, and, like Carter and Pagac was a Cooper recruit.
Pagac perhaps has an ax to grind as well in that his father, the DC at OSU, was not retained by JT after Cooper was fired.
If someone will stand up and say I received money from these boosters at this time, then you have a story. Even MC cannot or will not name names...it is all cloaked in secrecy...translation ...didn't happen.
19 members of the 2002 NC team have been drafted, 2 are still playing and the remaining player is MC. Yet ESPN interviews only Carter who says he heard of it...but can't say anything specific. Other members of that team have either not been contacted, or their comments ignored.
Will Allen, a captain in 03 and now plays for the Bucs in Tampa has said MC is full of it...but you do not see that in ESPN articles. One has to wonder how many guys ESPN interviewed to get their story...and how many told them a different version which did not make good print.
ESPN is making Dan Rather appear to have journalistic integrity in their attempt to create news...not report it.