In the past few weeks, we’ve seen bar fights, heard stories of DUIs, and have watched more players than usual suffer the wrath of the legal system. Forget sanctions, we got people doing stupid things and getting caught in the process.
Our latest moronic action, however, is one that I couldn’t believe when I read through it the first time. While the following is no doubt stupid, it’s also revolutionary.
Pittsburgh senior defensive end Jabaal Sheard did something that a) I could never see happening to anyone ever and b) I would pay top dollar to see.
While many of you probably already know the story surrounding his wild Sunday night, let me run it back for you once again.
Sheard through a dude through a glass door at an art gallery. After that, he started beating him and then proceeded to get himself maced. All in all, just your average Sunday (can’t stress that part enough) evening.
Sheard has been suspended indefinitely as the university and authorities are gathering more info. It’s uncertain whether he will have a spot on the team or not, but it’s safe to say he’s in some serious trouble. I, for one, don’t know how you possibly penalize an individual with the creativity to take his fight into through an art gallery.
If Sheard ever wants to share his side of the story or simply meet up for a beer, I’ll be his Huckleberry.
Let’s hope that the negatives are getting themselves out of way when it comes to college football news. UNC is in some serious hot water (cough cough Marvin Austin), Florida’s Maurkice Pouncey may have taken some serious cash (100k) from an agent back in December, aka when he was still in school, and then there’s the interesting but somewhat different item below.
I received this press release over my cup o’ joe, and while this won’t garner the press of the recent happenings listed above, these allegations certainly open up the door for more inquiries and potential issues going forward. As we have seen, sometimes it takes only once incident like the USC probe to change the discipline landscape.
The release below describes some major funds that are in question regarding one of college football’s biggest bowl games. These are serious claims that also have potential legal ramifications if proven true.
Should be interesting to see if and what come out of this. As seen, the NCAA isn’t exactly sitting on their hands right now and there will be other parties other than the executioner NCAA who will likely seek more info going forward.
DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA.
PLAYOFF PAC COMPLAINT LEADS SECRETARY OF STATE TO REQUEST CRIMINAL PROBE OF BCS’ FIESTA BOWL
WASHINGTON, DC-The Arizona Republicreported late last week that Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett has asked the state’s Attorney General “to conduct a criminal investigation into claims that current and former Fiesta Bowl employees made illegal campaign contributions to politicians friendly to the bowl.”
Secretary Bennett’s request follows a months-long investigation of the BCS’s Fiesta Bowl, which was initiated by Playoff PAC’s formal complaint filed last year. According to five current and former Fiesta Bowl employees, the BCS bowl organization reportedly reimbursed its employees’ political contributions, a felony offense under Arizona state law. During the Secretary’s inquiry, his office publicly noted that the BCS’s Fiesta Bowl was uncooperative.
Matthew Martinez, a Playoff PAC director, commented: “Given the Fiesta Bowl’s efforts to stonewall Secretary Bennett’s investigation, the Secretary acted sensibly by referring this troubling matter to the Attorney General. We hope that the BCS bowl will now take a more cooperative tack and open their books so that it can be determined whether a taxpayer-subsidized entity behaved illegally. We expect that the Attorney General’s office will conduct a thorough and impartial investigation of these potential felonies, which were originally raised by five current and former Fiesta Bowl employees.”
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Secretary Bennett’s office complained publicly that the Fiesta Bowl was uncooperative
“Amy Bjelland, whose office is part of the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office, said the Fiesta Bowl has not provided ‘sufficient information’ to a state inquiry.” (Craig Harris, Fiesta Bowl Fails to Release Info in Campaign-Contribution Probe, The Ariz. Republic, Jan. 26, 2010)
“‘Normally people are pretty cooperative on getting us information,’ Bjelland said. ‘They haven’t provided any hard data yet, but we are looking forward to getting something from them.’” (Craig Harris, Fiesta Bowl Fails to Release Info in Campaign-Contribution Probe, The Ariz. Republic, Jan. 26, 2010)
The Fiesta Bowl tried to kill this controversy by paying a consultant to perform a hasty five-day internal review
The Fiesta Bowl “declined comment on the selection of [internal investigator Grant Woods] as an independent fact finder.” (Dennis Wagner, Fiesta Bowl: Inquiry Finds No Evidence of Illegalities, The Ariz. Republic, Dec. 24, 2009)
“This paid consultant’s five-day review plainly lacks the credibility necessary to rebut claims of impropriety made by five separate Fiesta Bowl employees.” (Playoff PAC Press Release, Dec. 29, 2009)
Playoff PAC’s complaint is based on allegations of five current and former employees first reported in The Arizona Republic
“Over the past decade as the Fiesta Bowl worked to maintain its elite position as one of the top postseason college-football games, employees made contributions to politicians friendly to the bowl, including some donations that may violate campaign-finance laws. Past and present Fiesta Bowl employees have told The Arizona Republic they were encouraged to write checks to specific candidates and were reimbursed by the bowl.” (Craig Harris, Fiesta Bowl Employees Say Bowl Repaid Political Contributions, The Ariz. Republic, Dec. 18, 2009)
“More than $38,000 in campaign contributions have been made since 2000 by 14 Fiesta Bowl employees. Those contributions come on top of the $4 million the Fiesta Bowl spent during the same period on lobbyists, trips, dinners and golf retreats to build relationships with athletic officials who control the Bowl Championship Series and to garner support from politicians.” (Craig Harris, Fiesta Bowl Employees Say Bowl Repaid Political Contributions, The Ariz. Republic, Dec. 18, 2009)
A few months ago, this was the scene on the Arkansas campus.
Mallett broke his foot during conditioning drills back in February and the injury required surgery – hence the awesome boot and scooter (and awesome mix which I could watch on repeat done by @LSUFeek. Now, however, Mallet says he’s ready to roll, even though he had the screw replaced less than a month ago.
The rehab for Mallett has been slow and the injury was a surprise and relatively serious in nature. This means, Mallett logged a lot of time off the field, off his feet and in the pool.
“I feel like I could try out for the Olympics right now,” Mallett said. “I’ve gained a whole new respect for swimmers. I’m used to just kicking around in the pool, but this has really kept me in great condition since I haven’t been able to run.”
Even with the replaced screw, Mallett has been working out and throwing the ball. He says he has no doubts he should be good to go by August 5th, which is when the Hogs start training camp.
He better be ready, because if my NCAA ’11 season prediction is going to hold true with a Hogs’ title, AND Arkansas wide receiver Greg Childs is going to win the Heisman, Mallet is going to need to be healthy and on his game.
And although Mallett might be healthy once again, here’s hoping that somehow this fantastic scooter YouTube vid lives on, and brings about as much joy to others as it has to me.
After using that scooter, I'm afraid Mallett will now be off balance due to the massive calf muscle he's developed ... John
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