Times wires
Thursday, June 2, 2011
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Sports Illustrated's report on the Buckeyes' NCAA problems in football is "90 percent wrong," the lawyer for quarterback Terrelle Pryor said.
"There's a misperception about Terrelle," Larry James said Thursday. "There's a misperception about the overall program, as brought about in part by the Sports Illustrated article that everybody's just taken to the bank."
In a story released Monday, a few hours after Jim Tressel resigned as coach, Sports Illustrated reported at least 28 players are known or alleged to have traded or sold memorabilia for tattoos, a violation of NCAA rules. Ohio State has suspended five players, including Pryor, for five games next season.
"Obviously, if you know these other kids that are in this Sports Illustrated article, if you spent any time around them, you know that story is 90 percent wrong on those kids," James said.
Asked if he was saying the story was factually wrong, James said, "Factually, about the other kids, you will find in due time."
Sports Illustrated spokesman Scott Novak said, "We stand by our reporting."
The NCAA is investigating Ohio State. Among the issues is cars driven by Pryor. Sports Illustrated reported he has had as many as eight during his three seasons at Ohio State.
"Over that time period, he may have had three or four loaner cars, period," James said. "So you take the three cars that the mom purchased over that time period and the loaner cars, and this is how the story gets turned into a tornado."
James provided the purchase agreement for the 2007 Nissan 350Z with more than 80,000 miles that Pryor was seen driving this week. Pryor's mother, Thomasina, signed for the car, which cost $18,401.56. The Pryors traded in a Dodge Charger valued at $7,253, lowering the cost to $11,435.06 with the addition of taxes and fees.
James also denied a report that Pryor's driving privileges are suspended because he failed to produce proof of insurance when pulled over for a stop-sign violation Feb. 19.
"It's my understanding that his license has been reinstated since he has shown proof," he said. "And I have a copy of the insurance policy in place at the time of the stop."
Tebow admits lying: In his autobiography, ex-Florida quarterback Tim Tebow writes he falsely told then-coach Urban Meyer he had no symptoms from a concussion sustained two weeks prior and could play against LSU. Tebow was hurt against Kentucky and writes in Through My Eyes he had headaches during warmups. But he told Meyer he was fine, and Meyer, after resisting, relented and let him play. Tebow writes the headaches disappeared before kickoff of the 13-3 victory.
BCS: The Justice Department's antitrust division will meet with BCS officials this summer. BCS executive director Bill Hancock said a lawyer asked for a voluntary background briefing on how the BCS operates.
Jacksonville St.: Washaun Ealey, who led Georgia in rushing the past two seasons, transferred to the I-AA school. Ealey was released from his scholarship last month after two suspensions in one year.
Softball: Kelsi Kettler's home run in the eighth gave Baylor a 1-0 win over Oklahoma State at the World Series in Oklahoma City. Kaila Hunt's single in the second lifted Alabama past Cal 1-0. Alabama faces Baylor tonight. Oklahoma State faces Cal on Saturday. Katelyn Boyd homered to help Arizona State beat Oklahoma 3-1. Today, Arizona State faces the winner of the late game between Florida and Missouri. Saturday, Oklahoma faces the loser.
Men's golf: Florida shot a final-round 21-over 309 to finish 23rd at the NCAA Championships in Stillwater, Okla. The top eight advanced to match play. Bank Vongvanij was the Gators' top finisher. He tied for 13th, seven back of first-place John Peterson of LSU.
Baseball: Darin Erstad, who played 14 years in the majors, was hired as Nebraska's coach. He was an All-American at the school in 1995.