|
|
||
STEVE DeSHAZO: Date published: 7/26/2010 By Steve DeShazo GREENSBORO, N.C.-- Tyrod Taylor found a novel way to avoid the agents who have been hounding his college football brethren,He got a new cell phone. "The number I did have, I don't have anymore, Taylor said yesterday. "Maybe that's why I don't hear from them." Before long, though, Taylor's new digits will undoubtedly fall into the wrong hands, putting Virginia Tech's star senior quarterback on the radar of those lusting to represent him if he makes it to the NFL. Never respected on the level of teachers or firemen, agents have gotten an even worse name recently--"pimps," according to Alabama coach Nick Saban--now that several schools are under investigation for alleged improper benefits provided to their players from outside sources, Southern Cal returned its replica of Reggie Bush's 2005 Heisman Trophy and lost 30 scholarships. Florida and North and South Carolina are cooperating with NCAA investigators. And like rats in your house, for every one you see there are probably 10 you don't. "It's a problem that's hard to get your arms around," Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner John Swofford said at the league's annual kickoff media event yesterday. Swofford insists that ACC schools do a good job of informing their players that NCAA rules prohibit them from signing with an agent or accepting money or favors until after their senior seasons. But UNC defensive tackle Marvin Austin is being investigated for allegedly driving an expensive car, and the NCAA wants to know how he and his close friend South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders made it to a Miami party thrown by San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore. Reports say Austin, a Washington native and projected 2011 first-round NFL draft pick, could be suspended for his senior season. Is he a cautionary tale, or just a guy who got caught? "Everybody's aware of it," said Virginia senior cornerback Ras-I Dowling, another potential first-round pick. "The biggest thing is not feeding into it." That's more easily said than done, especially for players who come from modest backgrounds. They see the millions of dollars raked in by their schools--and the big contracts signed by NFL stars. It's hard to blame them for wanting a slice of the pie.
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
|
|
|||||||||||||
