Tigers X - Number one Source to Talk Auburn Tigers Sports
Pat Dye Field => War Damn Eagle => Topic started by: AUChizad on March 29, 2011, 08:59:35 PM
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http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/iteam/2011/03/hbos-real-sports-must-see-tv-for-final-four-viewers
HBO's Real Sports must-see TV for Final Four viewers
BY MICHAEL O'KEEFFE
This week's special edition of HBO's Real Sports should be mandatory viewing for sports fans who are planning on watching the Final Four this weekend.
The two segments that anchor the show don't break any new ground, but they do provide a deep look into the hypocrisy and corruption that permeate college sports.
The first segment, "The Money Trail," explores how college football and basketball programs rake in millions of dollars a year, enriching coaches and administrators, while the players get stiffed. The most interesting news from the segment comes from Rigo Nunez, a former UMass basketball forward who says many of the nation's top players planned a protest in 1995.
"At one point it was pretty organized among players that maybe the biggest impact that we can have, and the biggest opportunities for us to have a stand, will be prior to the NCAA tournament," Nunez told correspondent Bernard Goldberg.
"Well, how was that gonna happen?" Goldberg asked.
"We were not gonna play," Nunez said.
"What?"
"We were just gonna go to the middle of the court and sit down. Every game, in the whole country."
"Because you weren't getting paid?" Goldberg said.
"Because it was not fair to us," Nunez replied.
The second segment focuses on "the money handshake" - the illicit payoffs talented players received to attend and stay at college sports factories. Stanley McClover, a former Auburn defensive end, talks about how he received not just cash but sexual services during a recruiting visit to Ohio State.
Players also cashed in by selling sports memorabilia and tickets.
"The NCAA has to be deaf, dumb and blind not to know what's going on," said longtime college basketball coach Tom Penders.
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:facepalm:
http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/ex-auburn-players-claim-systematic-pay-to-play-29592
HBO Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel premieres an hour-long special on the business and ethics of college sports on Wednesday. The first airing is at 10p ET on HBO.
(Spoiler alert!)
I have obtained an advance copy of the show and have transcribed excerpts of a portion of the Andrea Kremer-hosted “Pay to Play†segment of the show below.
The segment contains explosive claims from former Auburn players Chaz Ramsey, Troy Reddick, Stanley McClover and Raven Gray.
On McClover’s recruitment:
Kremer voiceover: “McLover said it wasn’t until he attended an all-star camp at Louisiana State University that he realized how the game is played. A game of money and influence.â€
McClover: “Somebody came to me, I don’t even know this person and he was like, ‘we would love for you to come to LSU and he gave me a handshake and it had five hundred dollars in there. … that’s called a money handshake … I grabbed it and I’m like, ‘wow,’ hell I thought ten dollars was a lot of money back then. Five hundred dollars for doing nothing but what I was blessed to do. I was happy.â€
Kremer to McClover: “What did you say to the guy when he hands you five hundred dollars?â€
McClover: “Thank you and I’m seriously thinking about coming to LSU.â€
Kremer voiceover: “But McClover says there were money handshakes from boosters at other football camps too. At Auburn for a couple hundred dollars and at Michigan State. All the schools denied any wrongdoing. And things really started heating up a few months later when he went to Ohio State for an official visit where schools get a chance for one weekend to host prospective athletes. McClover says there were money handshakes from alumni there too. About a thousand dollars. And something else to entice him.â€
McClover: “They send girls my way. I partied. When I got there I met up with a couple guys from the team. We went to a party and they asked me to pick any girl I wanted.â€
Kremer: “Did she offer sexual services?“
McClover: “Yes.â€
Kremer: “Did you take them?â€
McClover: “Yes.â€
Kremer: “McClover committed to Ohio State right after that weekend. The recruiter at Ohio State who says he dealt with McClover that weekend denied the school was involved in any wrongdoing.â€
On what caused McClover to sign with Auburn over Ohio State:
Kremer voiceover: “McClover says what he asked for was money. A lot of it. And that he got it. Delivered in a bookbag, exact amount unknown.â€
Kremer to McClover: “You opened it up, what are you thinking?â€
McClover: “I almost passed out. I literally almost passed out I couldn’t believe it was true. I felt like I owed them.â€
Kremer to McClover: “You felt obligated to them (Auburn)?â€
McClover: “I felt totally obligated.â€
Kremer to McClover: “Because of the money?â€
McClover: “Yeah.â€
Troy Reddick talks about his recruitment by Auburn
Reddick: “I was contacted by a local alumni (of Auburn) and offered a large sum of money.
Kremer: “What are you thinking?â€
Reddick: “That people are trying to take advantage of me. And I can’t give anybody any kind of power over me.â€
Kremer voiceover: “He (Reddick) says he didn’t take the handout. …
Reddick on why he was unhappy at Auburn - and the remedy for that unhappiness
Kremer voiceover: “Reddick was growing increasingly unhappy because he says the (Auburn) coaches wanted him to change his major. Why? Because his class schedule got in the way of football practice.â€
Reddick: “I changed my major, so my classes didn’t interfere no more but I didn’t bother to go because I knew I was only there to play football.â€
Kremer: “So what did you do?â€
Reddick: “I started complaining and insinuating that I was ready to leave any day. They had to do something about that.â€
Kremer voiceover: “The enticement to stay, Reddick says, became clear to him, when one of the coaches approached him after a team meeting.â€
Reddick: “He (Auburn coach) said I got some mail for you up in my office.â€
Kremer to Reddick: “Some mail for you?â€
Reddick: “And I followed him up to his office and he gave me an envelope. I didn’t open there, I walked out to my truck, took off. … It was about 500 dollars.â€
Kremer: “500 dollars in the envelope?â€
Reddick: (nods yes)
Kremer: “How often did you get the money in the envelope?â€
Reddick: “Over that season it happened like two or three more times. And it happened about six or seven times my senior year.â€
Kremer: “So where do you think the money came from?â€
Reddick: “I think that worry got back to alumni from my hometown. Or it may have been the coaches or the staff but everybody knew I didn’t want to be there.â€
On McClover being paid $4,000 for his performance in the Iron Bowl:
Kremer voiceover: “Stanley McClover says he was also paid while at school (Auburn). Paid by boosters. Like the time he had his eye on this 1973 Chevy Impala.â€
McClover: “Private owner wanted seven thousand in cash so I went to my booster who I knew and he gave me the money the next day in a bookbag.â€
Kremer voiceover: “McClover says eventually he didn’t have to ask for money, as long as he played well, he’d get paid.â€
Kremer to McClover: “How much was a sack worth?â€
McClover: “Anywhere between 300 and 400 dollars. For one.â€
Kremer to McClover: “I think in one game you had four sacks, what did you earn in that game?â€
McClover: “Four thousand. Against Alabama.â€
Kremer: “Seriously?â€
McClover: “Alabama, a rivalry game.â€
Kremer: “More money because it’s Alabama?â€
McClover: “Definitely. No other game matters.â€
Chaz Ramsey and Raven Gray are interviewed at same time together
Kremer voiceover: “Chaz Ramsey played for a year (for Auburn) in 2007, and says he too received money handshakes after games.â€
Ramsey: “You walk out and all the fans are waiting for you to sign autographs and everything and some random guy just walks up to you and shakes your hand and there’s a wad full of money.â€
Kremer: “How much are we talking about?â€
Ramsey: “300 or 400 dollars a game.â€
Kremer voiceover: “Raven Gray was a top (Auburn) recruit in 2007, he says people affiliated with Auburn would visit him at his junior college and press the flesh there too.â€
Kremer to Gray: “How much do you think you got?â€
Gray: “Twenty five-hundred to three thousand dollars. Loyalty is the key. This man give me money I’m going to be loyal to him and go to Auburn.â€
Kremer voiceover: “And he did go to Auburn but got injured before he ever played a game.â€
On Ramsey’s motivation for coming forward
Kremer: “You have an axe to grind?†(Ramsey had a medical claim lawsuit against Auburn recently thrown out.)
Ramsey: “I’m not out to get anybody, I want high school athletes to know what they’re getting into. This is what college football is really about it, it’s a business.â€
Ramsey and Reddick on selling items made available to Auburn players by the school:
Ramsey: “I would sell tickets all the time, Iron Bowl you can make a thousand dollars a ticket.â€
Kremer: “How much money did that get you during your time at Auburn?â€
Ramsey: “Five-six thousand dollars probably.â€
Reddick: “I sold my SEC Championship watch right off the stage as we were celebrating in Toomer’s Corner.â€
Kremer: “Why did you sell it?â€
Reddick: “Because it was useless to me. I had to sell all my championship rings to help my sister not go into debt as her house was about to be foreclosed on.â€
I will have more on the HBO Real Sports special as I continue to screen the remainder of the show.
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True or not.......holy fuck.
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(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sR6V0Mgvzt4/SHVrijG2hdI/AAAAAAAAC8E/wLbgX4lQomY/s640/Before.jpg)
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Rage and Anger....
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Rage and Anger....
(http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/la/061108AlkaSeltzerFizz.jpg)
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If any of you have been behind the stadium when the players come out? You know the "handshake" allegations are utter bullshit.
Impossible to happen in that environment. Absolutely impossible for that to go on and not be noticed.
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I've got an uncle by marriage who played QB at Sweetwater High School back in the '80's when they won their first state title. He said he got $100 handshakes after that game and nobody was recruiting him.
By the way, Sweetwater is one of the poorer "cities" in the state.
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If any of you have been behind the stadium when the players come out? You know the "handshake" allegations are utter bullshit.
Impossible to happen in that environment. Absolutely impossible for that to go on and not be noticed.
McClover I'm not surprised by. I expected better of Reddick and Ramsay. Maybe they are just jumping on the gravy train. Maybe Ramsay is still harboring some bad thoughts of the previous staff with his back ordeal. Who knows. It does sound like a load of crap though. But either way, its damaging - true or not.
And it fucking sucks that this will be on HBO. After it airs every Finebaum and Cowherd will be crowing about this until next year. And no one will know the difference between "alleged" and "fact". Perception is all that will matter. Again - fucking sucks.
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This shit has to stop.
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McClover I'm not surprised by. I expected better of Reddick and Ramsay. Maybe they are just jumping on the gravy train. Maybe Ramsay is still harboring some bad thoughts of the previous staff with his back ordeal. Who knows. It does sound like a load of crap though. But either way, its damaging - true or not.
And it fucking sucks that this will be on HBO. After it airs every Finebaum and Cowherd will be crowing about this until next year. And no one will know the difference between "alleged" and "fact". Perception is all that will matter. Again - fucking sucks.
Doesn't matter what Finebaum and Cowherd say. The problem is that when this shit gets put out like this, the NCAA can't look away. They will do something, right or not, truth or lies. Can't run the risk of looking like they don't have a dick.
It's the same motherfucking story as always. Find a disgruntled former player, let the other side pay him off and he'll say any damn thing. The fuckers found four. Four who thought they'd play in the NFL but busted out -- all for reasons of their own doing. But that's Auburn's ffault.
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Were getting torched on Twitter, it's only going to get worse once this hit piece airs Wednesday.
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We need more refutation from those who denounced McClover previously. Was it Rosegreen, Obomanu and Stanley's HS coach?
Some other, more high profile, players would be nice as well.
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Fuck twitter.
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I'm neither surprised nor care that this happens. No way to stop it.
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So, McClover's story goes from getting paid at his HS by a couple Auburn coaches, while they made his Veteran HS HC stand outside his own office...to I gots paid $300-$400 for sacks (3-4k against bama), $500 handshakes all of the time, 7k for a '73 Impala, a bookbag full of cash...enough to make me go "wow", I got to pick out any whore I wanted? LMAO.
HBO:"Stanley, here's a DVD of the movie Blue Chips, it's about Basketball but pretend that it's about football and then throw in a few teams that were recruiting you...make sure you put Auburn's name in there A LOT. We'll contact you in a week or so to get your story, you know since that whole getting paid at your HS went into the toilet. Talk to you soon."
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Doesn't matter what Finebaum and Cowherd say. The problem is that when this shit gets put out like this, the NCAA can't look away. They will do something, right or not, truth or lies. Can't run the risk of looking like they don't have a dick.
It's the same motherfucking story as always. Find a disgruntled former player, let the other side pay him off and he'll say any damn thing. The fuckers found four. Four who thought they'd play in the NFL but busted out -- all for reasons of their own doing. But that's Auburn's ffault.
Yeah, looks bad. Amazing they have allegations about tOSU, LSU, and Auburn there. Couldn't find any from other schools? I guess bammer is squeaky clean, or they keep their players happy when they put them out on Medical Scholarships.
I'm certain the NCAA will look, but there will have to be some proof, not just a disgruntled player saying "I got cash after a game."
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What about the slush funds? Lowder, Colonial, McGregor and prepaid atm and bingo cards? Nope, all cash allegations in small, untraceable amounts from multiple sources. By the way, I have no doubt there's a percentage of dumbass boosters that get a nut giving a "hunnerd dollah handshake".
I like how Reddick tries to act all high and mighty about the offer, but took the money anyway.
Ramsay, he has no grudge...his lawsuit just got dismissed.
Fuck this shit, we got to keep these fuckers happier.
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What about the slush funds? Lowder, Colonial, McGregor and prepaid atm and bingo cards? Nope, all cash allegations in small, untraceable amounts from multiple sources. By the way, I have no doubt there's a percentage of dumbass boosters that get a nut giving a "hunnerd dollah handshake".
I like how Reddick tries to act all high and mighty about the offer, but took the money anyway.
Ramsay, he has no grudge...his lawsuit just got dismissed.
Fuck this shit, we got to keep these fuckers happier.
It'll be funny, sort of, that after this HBO thing goes "as planned, regardless of facts" to see that whole colonial-lowder-slushfundgate go to away....for a little while. Well atleast until the HBSO dies down.
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It'll be funny, sort of, that after this HBO thing goes "as planned, regardless of facts" to see that whole colonial-lowder-slushfundgate go to away....for a little while. Well atleast until the HBSO dies down.
You forget, evidence isn't needed...all this cash WILL BE from the slush fund. Shane will make sure you hear that "fact" every day for the next year.
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You forget, evidence isn't needed...all this cash WILL BE from the slush fund. Shane will make sure you hear that "fact" every day for the next year.
I wish I could get in on this slush fund.
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I wish I could get in on this slush fund.
No lie.
(http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/demotivators/corruptiondemotivationalposter.jpg)
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From Jay G. Tate:
http://madvertiserblogs.com/HABOTN/
UPDATE @ 9:15 p.m. — Auburn has in its possession signed letters from all four players saying they were unaware of any NCAA violations during their time on campus.
The salient portion of the letter reads as follows:
You affirm that you have reported to the director of athletics of your institution any violation of NCAA regulations involving you or your institution. You affirm that you understand that if you sign this statement falsely or erroneously, you violate NCAA legislation on ethical conduct and you will further jeopardize your eligibility.
Is that an air-tight alibi? Far from it, though I found that interesting and notable.
:clap:
UPDATE @ 9:30 p.m. — Auburn is not planning to offer any statement on the program beyond what it submitted to HBO earlier this year. That reads as follows:
Auburn Athletics respectfully declines to comment on these alleged claims apparently made by a few former football players. Compliance with all NCAA and Southeastern Conference rules is a major emphasis and top priority for all of our athletic programs at Auburn University.
:facepalm:
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That is all the school should have to say.
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From Jay G. Tate:
http://madvertiserblogs.com/HABOTN/
:clap:
I say we
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG1S-YR_UpA
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Ziemba, Pugh and others tweeting they played for and were recruited by the same coaches, and walked out the same lockerroom,and never saw a dime.
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Ziemba, Pugh and others tweeting they played for and were recruited by the same coaches, and walked out the same lockerroom,and never saw a dime.
That's because they are white.
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That's because they are white.
Yes, but the other players speaking out against this are not. I find it ironic that the players that are in the NFL or look to have promising NFL careers are the ones debunking this and the players in the HBO interview are the ones that fizzled out.
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Yes, but the other players speaking out against this are not. I find it ironic that the players that are in the NFL or look to have promising NFL careers are the ones debunking this and the players in the HBO interview are the ones that fizzled out.
Good point.
Ziemba, Tate, Campbell, Caddy, Ronnie Brown, Carlos Rogers, Dansby, D Thomas, Courtney Taylor, Obamanu, Aroshamadu, Rosegreen, Pugh, Marcus McNeil, Simmons, Newton, Adams, Fairley. None of this guys got a damned dime.
But somehow Ramsay (only 1 year lettered), Grey (never played), Reddick (not a star) somehow all got thousands left and right????
What
The
Fuck
Ever
McClover - yes, he was a good rush DE, but THAT good?? Nope. Fuck him and his ax grinding, REC money taking self. All of em. Douche bags.
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Good point.
Ziemba, Tate, Campbell, Caddy, Ronnie Brown, Carlos Rogers, Dansby, D Thomas, Courtney Taylor, Obamanu, Aroshamadu, Rosegreen, Pugh, Marcus McNeil, Simmons, Newton, Adams, Fairley. None of this guys got a damned dime.
But somehow Ramsay (only 1 year lettered), Grey (never played), Reddick (not a star) somehow all got thousands left and right????
What
The
Fuck
Ever
McClover - yes, he was a good rush DE, but THAT good?? Nope. Fuck him and his ax grinding, REC money taking self. All of em. Douche bags.
The source, the obvious motives, the lapse of time, the allegations that can't be substantiated due to time, and amounts of money, and method of delivery...all the real star players who refute it...none of that will matter to those who want to believe it.
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The source, the obvious motives, the lapse of time, the allegations that can't be substantiated due to time, and amounts of money, and method of delivery...all the real star players who refute it...none of that will matter to those who want to believe it.
Well of course it won't but the only ones who have to have common sense in this situation is the NCAA.
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I think this guy is broke and needs the money. I also find it odd the big dogs are not getting paid.
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I think this guy is broke and needs the money. I also find it odd the big dogs are not getting paid.
HBO says they didnt pay them, but HBO is sponsoring some event put on by McGlover's charity foundation.
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Its just another media outlet riding piggy back on the whole Cam Newton non-story. I don't subscribe to HBO anyway so fuck'em. They haven't been relevant since Boxing was worth a shit. The sad part is what JR said, the statements from tons of other ex-Auburn players will be totally overlooked. Sani is right though, the NCAA is what matters but the media is on a witch hunt and I'm sick of it.
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HBO says they didnt pay them, but HBO is sponsoring some event put on by McGlover's charity foundation.
So in other words, they paid him?
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HBO says they didnt pay them, but HBO is sponsoring some event put on by McGlover's charity foundation.
Is that the "Predator Needs Some New Extensions Fund"?
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So in other words, they paid him?
Sounds like McClover gets lots of under ththe table shit.
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Well it was fun while it lasted.
(http://zombie.clue-free.com/tpt/newstuff/NukeOrbit.jpg)
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Can one of you fine counselors answer me this? Would the money that they admitted to taking be taxable income, and thus the subject to fines from the IRS for not reporting it?
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Can one of you fine counselors answer me this? Would the money that they admitted to taking be taxable income, and thus the subject to fines from the IRS for not reporting it?
Not a tax lieyer but I believe you are on to something here. How much would the interest be on this by now?
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Can one of you fine counselors answer me this? Would the money that they admitted to taking be taxable income, and thus the subject to fines from the IRS for not reporting it?
Yes, it would. Not sure if that's a tactic I'd like to see pursued, though.
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I think this guy is broke and needs the money. I also find it odd the big dogs are not getting paid.
Duh! They all got the debit cards from Uncle Miltie.
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Its just another media outlet riding piggy back on the whole Cam Newton non-story. I don't subscribe to HBO anyway so fuck'em. They haven't been relevant since Boxing was worth a shit. The sad part is what JR said, the statements from tons of other ex-Auburn players will be totally overlooked. Sani is right though, the NCAA is what matters but the media is on a witch hunt and I'm sick of it.
And the worthless bastard who is perpetuating most of it is the same one who perpetuates most other non-frontpage newsworthy items in sports. Brooks.
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(http://i.imgur.com/d2ITg.jpg)
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And the worthless bastard who is perpetuating most of it is the same one who perpetuates most other non-frontpage newsworthy items in sports. Brooks.
BINGO! He's a cockaroach.
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http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2011-03-30/key-auburn-starters-lee-ziemba-and-ryan-pugh-say-i-didnt-see-a-dime
Key Auburn starters Lee Ziemba and Ryan Pugh say, 'I didn't see a dime'
Ken Bradley
Sporting News
As a true freshman in 2007, Lee Ziemba started Auburn’s first game of the season against Kansas State. Four years later, when the Tigers captured the BCS national title, Ziemba wrapped up his college career with a school-record 52 consecutive starts dating back to that win against the Wildcats.
Ziemba says he never received money from Auburn coaches or anyone else affiliated with the program. An HBO special to air tonight reveals four former Auburn players saying they received money while at the school.
Lee Ziemba, who played for Auburn four years, starting in 2007, says he wasn't paid to play there, and he doubts anyone else was. (AP Photo)
“I think the guys who have come on the air obviously had something against Auburn,†Ziemba told Sporting News. I played with two of them (Chaz Ramsey and Raven Gray). … Two of them I know had bad divorces with the university. (Ramsey) got involved in a lawsuit that he didn’t win and obviously, must hold a grudge because we went on to win the national championship and were very successful with the guys he came in and was recruited with. I’m not sure what they’re trying to say. I walked out the same locker room doors as they did after games. I was recruited by the same men, and didn’t see a dime. I did things the right way.â€
Rivals.com rated Auburn’s 2007 offensive line class as the best in the country. Ziemba was the crown jewel, the highest-rated player Auburn signed that class. He said after four years on campus and starting every game and seeing players come and go, he would have heard something.
“No, I absolutely did not (receive money),†Ziemba told Sporting News. “In fact, it was the other way around. Everybody is complaining about (not having) money in college. I remember trying to figure out—I was just talking to my girlfriend about this yesterday—I just got my first credit card yesterday and I was talking about how nice it was not to have to choose between eating food and putting gas in my truck for once. Even though now I have money, I told her that would be helpful back when I was in college. That’s the way things were. They were late giving us our scholarship checks, we were getting money on the 17th or something like that, late on our rent checks and stuff. We struggled in college. As much as you whined and complained and tried to get money, you weren’t getting a dime. So I don’t know where all this is coming from.â€
Center Ryan Pugh was also a four-year starter from the national championship team and a key piece from that 2007 recruiting class.
Pugh said that team leaders, like himself and Ziemba, would have known if teammates were getting handouts.
“There was probably some bad blood between some of those players who made comments and some things that happened while they were there,†Pugh told Sporting News. “I know with Chaz, he had unfortunate situation with an injury and was no longer able to play. I don’t know what the motive is behind this, really.
Ramsey recently lost a lawsuit filed against a former Auburn head athletic trainer, Arnold Gamber. The lawsuit stated that Ramsey reinjured his back and the injury ended his career while he was performing exercises during rehabilitation after back surgery.
“We played together, we came in as freshmen together so we definitely were close†Pugh said of him and Ramsey. “Since that freshman year, we haven’t been close at all. He was no longer on the team, we continued to play and some other things probably hindered that relationship since that time, but I’m sure he would have told us if there was something going on.â€
In fact, Pugh said he and his teammates would have known if this happened.
“If things like that are going on, you tend to see your players who have produced more for the university,†Pugh told Sporting News. “There are things going on out there in Division I college football as far as receiving money from boosters. If that stuff is going on, you would think that some of the major players who are the face of the program would see some of that. For us to have played for four years and to have never seen anything like that, it really makes it hard to believe that stuff like that was really going on.â€
Ziemba agreed.
“You get a fistful of cash, it’s hard not to tell anybody,†he said. “I haven’t heard that. I’m telling you. I was around that program, I did everything that program … I was part of a national championship program—undefeated. I didn’t see a dime, I’m telling you there’s no way these folks saw it.â€
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Nice read. No one outside the AU family will believe it but....
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Nice read. No one outside the AU family will believe it but....
I told a co-worker just a couple of minutes ago that no one will believe the Zimbea article nor the Groves interview. I still think that we are looked at as the new U. "We are dirty thugs who rob people at gunpoint, we pay our players, we bought our championship, you name it, we are doing it. At least that is the national perception about us.
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Nice read. No one outside the AU family will believe( or see it) it but....
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Another similar article.
http://auburn.scout.com/2/1060175.html
Ziemba Disputes Claims In HBO Show
All-American Lee Ziemba
By Jason Caldwell
Inside the Auburn Tigers
Posted Mar 30, 2011
Former Auburn football star Lee Ziemba comments on his experience with the Tigers and how it doesn't match up with claims made by what he says look to be disgruntled former players.
Auburn, Ala.--On Tuesday night reports surfaced that ex-Auburn football players Troy Reddick, Chaz Ramsey, Stanley McClover and Raven Gray have claimed in interviews for HBO’s Real Sports television program that they received money from unnamed boosters as recruits or while at Auburn.
That episode of Real Sports is scheduled to air on cable for the first time at 9 p.m. CDT on Wednesday.
Lee Ziemba, a 2010 All-American offensive tackle who set an Auburn record for the most games started by any player, made it clear he is skeptical of the accusations.
“I started 52 games in the SEC,†Ziemba told Inside the Auburn Tigers on Wednesday. “I was part of a 14-0 national championship team. I played here four years. I walked out the same doors and locker room doors after games that these fellows did. I hung out with them after games.
“I was recruited by the same coaches just as hard as they were, and I didn’t see a dime from anyone--not from a booster, not from the school, not from a fan, not from anybody,†said Ziemba, a high school All-American who had scholarship offers from colleges from around the nation.
“The way I figure it is the guys who are coming out obviously have a bone to pick with the university,†Ziemba adds. “I don’t know why. Maybe they didn’t think they were treated fairly.
“None of this happened,†Ziemba added. “It’s just a story that is going to sell some subscriptions to HBO. That’s all it is.â€
Another former player, wide receiver Jeris McIntyre, said he was approached by someone who claimed he was working for HBO and tried to get him to him make comments critical of the Auburn football program.
I didn’t really have any idea,†McIntyre said of getting the unexpected contact. “In this day and age you have all these media outlets and a guy hit me up saying he was doing a story on big time college football. I went to Auburn and we just won the national championship so I decided to go ahead and do it. I gave him my number and he called me.
“He started out by asking me questions about Auburn,†McIntyre said. “I thought I was just doing an interview. He asked me if I thought players should be paid. I was trying to answer the question as far as legally and through the university how it would be nice because of all the money that the football program brings in. I think it makes some sense.
“Then he asked me if players get paid under the table at Auburn? I told him ‘no way.’ We were pretty much struggling, maybe not everybody was struggling but nobody was living the life. I told him absolutely not. He just got off the subject and talked about college football itself and the Cam Newton situation and things like that. I told him Cam Newton was a great player, but I don’t know anything about the situation because I was there in 2003.â€
McIntyre added that knows of dozens of former players who were contacted trying to dig up dirt on the Tigers, who won the 2010 national championship, but those players were just like him in defending the program against allegations of improper conduct.
Of the four players reported to be part of the HBO program, offensive tackle Reddick and defensive end McClover were the ones who saw significant playing time at Auburn.
Reddick and teammate Marcus McNeil were both considered NFL?prospects at tackle. McNeil has become a star for the San Diego Chargers and Reddick did not make an NFL?team.
McClover left Auburn early to enter the NFL draft. A seventh round pick for the Carolina Panthers, he was active for just 13 games in two years for the Panthers and made 12 tackles one sack before being cut. He was signed by the Houston Texans, but was cut by that team without playing a down.
Ramsey started 10 games as a freshman in 2007 as part of an offensive front that included Ziemba, who was also a freshman that season. Ramsey never played after that due to a back problem. Deciding to put the blame on Auburn for his injury, he sued former AU offensive line coach Hugh Nall and former trainer Arnold Gamber. That lawsuit was dismissed in early February of 2010.
Coming out of Enterprise High, Gray signed with Auburn but failed to qualify academically and attended Copiah-Lincoln Junior College in Mississippi. His second year there he suffered a knee injury that required surgery and was never the same after that. He re-signed with Auburn, but stayed at Auburn briefly after having off the field issues. He left the team prior to the 2008 season.
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Posted by David Irons on Scout earlier this afternoon:
Stanley Mclover and any others who make this claim are full of $$$it. I had 2 guys there who played pretty good during their Auburn careers we never got offerd any cash. so there are a lot of NFL stars who played for Auburn that will say the these cats are full of it. All the good out weighs BAD.
Don't be MAD at AUBURN cause you left school early were doing bad in class anyway and your NFL career never went the way you wanted. I told your A$$ to stay in school cause you couldn't play in a 3-4 D
All I can say is MAN up stick with the cards you played and enjoy life
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David Irons should tell his
brother son (Kenny) to put down the weed.
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Now HBO (Andrea Kramer) is saying that Auburn has a history of pay for play schemes...SERIOUSLY??? People can't be that fucking stupid. Also, she said that you can't deny that it didn't happen, regarding $$$ handshakes...Btw, Kramer covered the Eric Ramsey case too. And, bammers ALL OVER are having Super Bowl style parties to watch this. LMFAO.
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David Irons should tell his brother to put down the weed.
I believe that was from David Sr.
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I believe that was from David Sr.
Fixt above
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On ESPN now...
Finebaum just said Auburn sure hopes the NCAA doesn't start digging further into the Cam Newton situation because of this, because in his opinion there is a lot more there to find, and it will all be bad for Auburn.
Joe Schad was there too and said his initial thoughts were that the statute of limitations would prevent the NCAA pursuing this further, but "several based on conversations he had today", his opinion on that has changed, and he believes the NCAA will be pursuing this, because "Let's face it, the Cam Newton investigation is still ongoing."
:facepalm:
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On ESPN now...
Finebaum just said Auburn sure hopes the NCAA doesn't start digging further into the Cam Newton situation because of this, because in his opinion there is a lot more there to find, and it will all be bad for Auburn.
Joe Schad was there too and said his initial thoughts were that the statute of limitations would prevent the NCAA pursuing this further, but "several based on conversations he had today", his opinion on that has changed, and he believes the NCAA will be pursuing this, because "Let's face it, the Cam Newton investigation is still ongoing."
:facepalm:
NCAA SoL
32.6.3 statute of Limitations. Allegations included in a notice of allegations shall be limited to possible violations occurring not earlier than four years before the date the notice of inquiry is forwarded to the institution or the date the institution notifies (or, if earlier, should have notified) the enforcement staff of its inquiries into the matter. However, the following shall not be subject to the four-year limitation: (Revised: 10/12/94, 4/24/03)
(a) Allegations involving violations affecting the eligibility of a current student-athlete;
(b) Allegations in a case in which information is developed to indicate a pattern of willful violations on the part of the institution or individual involved, which began before but continued into the four-year period; and
(c) Allegations that indicate a blatant disregard for the Association’s fundamental recruiting, extra-benefit, academic or ethical-conduct regulations or that involve an effort to conceal the occurrence of the violation. In such cases, the enforcement staff shall have a one-year period after the date information concerning the matter becomes available to the NCAA to investigate and submit to the institution a notice of allegations concerning the matter.
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And the worthless bastard who is perpetuating most of it is the same one who perpetuates most other non-frontpage newsworthy items in sports. Brooks.
He's not to blame here.
He's only reporting what's there.
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(http://thenextweb.com/socialmedia/files/2010/05/Screw.png)
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Homer, is this all you can contribute? Stupid pics you cut and paste? No movie quotes? :facepalm:
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How's this?
Expected.
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Homer, is this all you can contribute? Stupid pics you cut and paste? No movie quotes? :facepalm:
Some examples for you to study...
Would have been fitting for the screwed picture.
"That's it man, game over man, game over! What the fuck are we gonna do now? What are we gonna do?"
Maybe we could build a fire, sing a couple of songs, huh? Why don't we try that?
For comments about Andrea Kremer...
"The great Satan hisself is red and scaly with a bifurcated tail, and he carries a hay fork."
On why these guys allegedly accepted money they knew they weren't supposed to have...
"I did it when I was a freshman, and you'll do it when you're seniors. but you're doing great. Now fry like bacon, you little freshman piggies. Fry!"
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Some examples for you to study...
Would have been fitting for the screwed picture.
"That's it man, game over man, game over! What the fuck are we gonna do now? What are we gonna do?"
Maybe we could build a fire, sing a couple of songs, huh? Why don't we try that?
For comments about Andrea Kremer...
"The great Satan hisself is red and scaly with a bifurcated tail, and he carries a hay fork."
On why these guys allegedly accepted money they knew they weren't supposed to have...
"I did it when I was a freshman, and you'll do it when you're seniors. but you're doing great. Now fry like bacon, you little freshman piggies. Fry!"
All strong entries. +5
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Tweet
@AuburnRivals Jeffrey Lee
Rosegreen on McClover purchasing car at AU: He bought that car with his Pell Grant money. I know that for a fact. I was there when he did it
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@AuburnRivals Jeffrey Lee
Marcus McNeill on Reddick: He didn't receive any money at Auburn, not that I know of. And I don't know why he would say he did.
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Of course the guy's a d1ck, his name is redtool.
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So he had to sell his rings because he had no money, or he was given money at will by the coaches/boosters?
Which is it?
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So he had to sell his rings because he had no money, or he was given money at will by the coaches/boosters?
Which is it?
Whichever lie is convenient.
Fuck those guys.
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He's not to blame here.
He's only reporting what's there.
Not the transcript he posted so much, but the opinion he interjects. He reads between lines that don't exist. Read his website and tweets. The guy just perpetuates shit because thats what keeps his business going. He's a slum journalist ala the National Enquirer, Jerry Springer, you name it.
Example (paraphrased): You think the NCAA will prosecute Auburn immediately for these crimes?This one is pretty concrete if you ask me.
Just that kind of shit.
:facepalm:
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Why is Homer Samford a guest now?
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I guess he committed suicide. RIP, Homer. We hardly knew ye.
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The rumors of his death are greatly exagerated
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The rumors of his death are greatly exagerated
Exit Stage Left.
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The rumors of his death are greatly exagerated
Yeah but Scott Moore has the tapes and Homer breathing is clearly heard.
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Roundtable hosts posed the question "If Auburn was paying these guys, why did they have to rob someone at gunpoint?"
Also, as I mentioned before, how can the same guy say he was paid at will from Auburn, but he was so broke he had to sell his rings "on the stage at the championship celebration".
Does not compute.
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Roundtable hosts posed the question "If Auburn was paying these guys, why did they have to rob someone at gunpoint?"
Also, as I mentioned before, how can the same guy say he was paid at will from Auburn, but he was so broke he had to sell his rings "on the stage at the championship celebration".
Does not compute.
Here's hoping our compliance folks and investigators will obtain phone records of the Fab 4.
In the criminal law, a conspiracy is an agreement between two or more persons to break the law at some time in the future, and, in some cases, with at least one overt act in furtherance of that agreement. There is no limit on the number participating in the conspiracy and, in most countries, no requirement that any steps have been taken to put the plan into effect
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Here is an article from the Sun Sentinel interviewing Dillard High Head Coach Ken Scott.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/highschool/football/broward/fl-stanley-mcclover-hbo-booster-aubur20110330,0,2735568.story
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I just got an email from a guy that says Reese Davis was the producer of this particular show.
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I just got an email from a guy that says Reese Davis was the producer of this particular show.
I bet ESPN would love the details on this.
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I bet ESPN would love the details on this.
Yeah, well I'm gonna ask the fella tomorrow where he heard this from. I tried to scoop it from the HBO site but that was a no go.
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HBO Executive Producer is Rick Bernstein. Born in Miami, raised in Birmingham....bammer.
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HBO Executive Producer is Rick Bernstein. Born in Miami, raised in Birmingham....bammer.
that's the fourth name I've heard. All were branded 'bammers"
At some point it becomes ridiculous.
I don't doubt they are behind it, but proof is required.
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HBO Executive Producer is Rick Bernstein. Born in Miami, raised in Birmingham....bammer.
He went to Missouri you flaming fucktard.
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He went to Missouri you flaming fucktard.
With a name like Bernstein he's got to be a bamm...wait, what?
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that's the fourth name I've heard. All were branded 'bammers"
At some point it becomes ridiculous.
I don't doubt they are behind it, but proof is required.
Actually, I think the name Tim Walker is the correct one. Its buried around here somewhere. I was reading a quote from Junior Rosegreen that stated the Walker guy as the producer that called him.
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http://www.sheltonstate.edu/Uploads/Files/News/Alabama%20Stage%20and%20Screen%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20to%20Honor%20Two%20in%202006.doc
Alabama Stage and Screen Hall of Fame to Honor Two in 2006
(Tuscaloosa, Ala.) - The seventh presentation of the Alabama Stage and Screen Hall of Fame awards has been scheduled for Saturday, April 22, 2006 on the campus of Shelton State Community College at 9500 Old Greensboro Road in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
"Since 1999, Theatre Tuscaloosa, in partnership with Shelton State Community College, has hosted the Stage and Screen Hall of Fame," said Paul K. Looney, executive director of the event. "I'm proud to announce that our honorees for 2006 are favorite native son Jim Nabors and Rick Bernstein executive producer of HBO Sports."
Rick Bernstein, born in Miami but raised in Birmingham, graduated from Mountain Brook High School in 1975. It was in Alabama, as a teenager with a love of sports, that Bernstein coincidentally found his way into sports television. As a young boy, Bernstein sold refreshments and souvenirs at Rickwood Field and Legion Field.
After befriending an ABC Sports technician, he learned that ABC frequently hired production assistants and runners. In the years that followed, he drove though out the South working college football games, Wide World of Sports, Auto Racing and Golf. By the time Bernstein reached college, he was traveling 35 weekends a year for ABC sports.
Following graduation from the University of Missouri, Bernstein began working in 1980 as a Production Assistant for the then fledging HBO Sports.
At the time, HBO Sports had just entered the Boxing business and had few programs to speak of, other than Inside the NFL. Bernstein traveled to New York to work on what he thought would be a one month project. Twenty five years later, he remains in New York, today as Executive Producer and Senior Vice President of HBO Sports.
He is responsible for overseeing the production of all HBO sports programming, including World Championship Boxing, Boxing After Dark, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, Costas Now, Inside the NFL and an array of documentaries. He works with an entire production staff as well as the best broadcasters in sports television today including James Brown, Cris Collinsworkth, Bob Costas, Bryant Gumbel, Jim Lampley and Dan Marino
Throughout his career at HBO, his contributions have earned four Peabody Awards and 16 Emmy Awards.
Bernstein holds a BS/BA degree in Business from the University of Missouri and lives in Larchmont, New York with his wife Jane and his three children.
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Rick Bernstein, born in Miami but raised in Birmingham, graduated from Mountain Brook High School in 1975. It was in Alabama, as a teenager with a love of sports, that Bernstein coincidentally found his way into sports television. As a young boy, Bernstein sold refreshments and souvenirs at Rickwood Field and Legion Field.
Psh.
Bullshit.
We all know people who live in Mountain Brook don't have to sell refreshments at Alabama football games.
I bet he worked the recruiting sections. I bet he sold popcorn for cheap prices. I bet it was popcorn boxes full of money.
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Psh.
Bullshit.
We all know people who live in Mountain Brook don't have to sell refreshments at Alabama football games.
I bet he worked the recruiting sections. I bet he sold popcorn for cheap prices. I bet it was popcorn boxes full of money.
Dill pickles wrapped in Hundreds
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He went to Missouri you flaming fucktard.
Again, born in Miami....raised in bammerham, fucking retard. Maybe the NtYF will hit him up with some real fucking questions.
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Again, born in Miami....raised in birmigham, fucking retard. Maybe the NtYF will hit him up with some real fucking questions.
Fixt.
By the way, don't give this rape victim more face time than he deserves.
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He is responsible for overseeing the production of all HBO sports programming, including World Championship Boxing, Boxing After Dark, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, Costas Now, Inside the NFL and an array of documentaries.
On a side note, I read in another article earlier today that the host (Nick Charles) of the bolded show above hosted his last show a week ago because he is about to die of cancer. It was to be his final show/calling of a boxing match. He was also CNN's first sports anchor and beat Chris Berman head to head in ratings when CNN did sports (they don't anymore). Just thought that was interesting.
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On a side note, I read in another article earlier today that the host (Nick Charles) of the bolded show above hosted his last show a week ago because he is about to die of cancer. It was to be his final show/calling of a boxing match. He was also CNN's first sports anchor and beat Chris Berman head to head in ratings when CNN did sports (they don't anymore). Just thought that was interesting.
Holy cow, that was the saddest thing I've ever read in my life.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1374213/CNN-sports-legend-Nick-Charles-speaks-openly-cancer-battle.html
Dude taping goodbye messages for his five year old daughter. I couldn't even read the whole story, my computer screen got all blurry.
Wow.