Oklahoma St. WR Bryant played during investigation
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10/09/2009 02:05 PM ET By JEFF LATZKE (AP)
OKLAHOMA CITY -All-America receiver Dez Bryant played in Oklahoma State's first three games of the season while compliance officials were investigating an apparent meeting with former NFL players Deion Sanders and Omar Stoutmire that he later lied about to the NCAA.
Documents released by the university Thursday in response to an open records request from The Associated Press show OSU suggested to the NCAA that it should interview Sanders and Stoutmire because they were "purported to work out" with Bryant.
The documents also show questions were raised about Bryant's account of events — before the start of the season. That calls into question whether his participation in the first three games could cause Oklahoma State to forfeit, if the NCAA rules he should have been ineligible from the start.
In an Aug. 26 e-mail, associate athletic director for compliance Scott Williams mentions that Oklahoma State's season opener was approaching — at that point 10 days away — and the school would need to make "a determination on Dez's playing status."
Five days later, still before a season-opening win against Georgia, Marcus M. Wilson, the NCAA's assistant director of agent, gambling and amateurism activities, asks Williams about Bryant: "Why does his story keep changing?"
Oklahoma State ruled Bryant ineligible Wednesday because he "failed to openly disclose to the NCAA the full details of his interaction with a former NFL player not affiliated with OSU."
The school has said it already has begun the process of asking the NCAA to reinstate Bryant, and released documents show Bryant is tentatively scheduled for a follow-up interview with the NCAA on Tuesday in Indianapolis.
In that Aug. 26 e-mail, Williams informed Wilson that the NCAA should contact former NFL players Sanders and Stoutmire, along with former Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree and Bryant's girlfriend, if it was taking over the investigation. The e-mail mentions a facility where "Dez, Deion and Omar were purported to work out."
Sanders served as an adviser for Crabtree, who has the same agent that represented Sanders, setting up the former Texas Tech receiver's announcement in January that he would turn pro and commenting on his behalf during a prolonged holdout.
Sanders told The New York Times that he met with Bryant over the summer at a Texas athletics center and had him over to his house for dinner, but did not work out at the facility named Fieldhouse USA. Sanders said Bryant "panicked" and lied to the NCAA because he "thought it was a violation to come over to my house and it isn't."
Sanders declined an interview request from The Associated Press through NFL Network spokesman Dennis Johnson. Gary Oliver of Fieldhouse USA, whose name is listed in OSU's documents, did not respond to telephone and e-mail messages left by the AP on Thursday.
In determining what information the university could include in a news release announcing Bryant was ineligible, Williams sought advice from the NCAA.
"Would it be possible to release information regarding an alleged association between the former NFL player and an active agent? Would it be permissible to release information regarding the alleged workouts?" Williams asked in an e-mail this week. "What parts of the investigation are we restricted from discussing?"
The NCAA's Wilson responded that specific details of the investigation should not be released.
The documents also show the university and the NCAA also had an inquiry into a cell phone that Bryant was using that did not belong to him, but determined he had not received an extra benefit.
If the NCAA finds Sanders provided Bryant with any extra benefits during their visit or was serving as an intermediary for an agent, Bryant's college career is finished.
A top NFL prospect, Bryant caught 87 passes for 1,480 yards and 19 touchdowns and also had two punt returns for touchdowns last season. This season, Bryant leads the team with 17 catches for 323 yards and four touchdowns.
The university released a statement from Bryant on Wednesday saying "I made a mistake by not being entirely truthful when meeting with the NCAA."
Willie Baker, Bryant's attorney, said in an e-mail that "NCAA rules restrict our ability to talk about this due to the ongoing investigation. Accordingly neither Dez or I will have any further comments at this time."
The 15th-ranked Cowboys (3-1) play at Texas A&M (3-1) on Saturday in the Big 12 Conference opener for both teams.
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Comments (Page 1 of 3)
UMMM CHECK ALL THE JOB APPLICATIONS. THEN WALK A MILE IN SOMEONE 'S SHOES. I WONDER WHO COULD PASS WITHOUT CASTING THOSE STONES. JOIN THE REAL WORLD. LOOK AT THE PERSON IN THE MIRROR THEN CASY JUDGEMENT,
I do have something to say, Anyone who hasn't told a lie, keep blogging your ****. Anyone who has told a lie, just shut up, as I will as soon as I post this. He is still a kid, I don't even follow sports much, but in true life, not the crap we are all dragged into...if you have been perfect, talk your ass off, if not, go home. Kinda the "he who has never sinned may cast the first stone". I will bet you all of those NCAA people have **** hidding in their closet, and they are still the first to cast a stone. I pity them. The kid is just looking at his future, and they have the "right" to ruin it. Not cool in this US of A anymore. Too many rules that we have to follow, but the Senators and other ********* can do what they want when they want, and break the same rule they enacted. Wow, are we the idiots of the world, it's no wonder we lie so much. Get a grip to the world around us, it is wonderful.
Unless you are Michael Vick. Or maybe the you dont lie rule only applys to college not NFL cause he sure did lie to the NFL commissioner and a lot of other people.
So NOW flat out lying is JUST A MISTAKE?????? A mistake is something you DID BT ACCIDENT.........Lying is....INTENTIONAL !!!
So when a college player deals witha a pro athelete everyones got to know.Let's see Teebow with the top pro QB"S, Leinhart before he left college, Lebron before he left school. It's jus crazy
Only an idiot like you could equate this story to what obama has planned for our nation. I guess you have your hand out like all the others (OSU) that can't be winners without the help of redistribution and cheating. Bryant lied, plane and simple. He knew what he did was against the rules. I agree that many of the NCAA rules are ridiculous, but until it is changed, it is what it is. As for you, try to educate yourself, get a real job and stop relying on the government to take care of you and your degenerate family members. You probably surround yourself with the same type of people that obama does. Poor pittiful you! And poor pittiful OSU!
HAVE YOU EVER KNOWN AN AFRICAN TO TELL THE TRUTH? OF COURSE NOT. (I DIDN'T DO IT,IS A TYPICAL ANSWER)
Do you live in Norman Oklahoma dude? There is no rule, NONE, zilch regarding a college player having contact with a pro player. The only thing this kid is guilty of is being untruthful when asked about it. Hardly the end of the world, but a one game suspension is appropriate. Anything more on something this flimsy should result in a lawsuit against the NCAA
I'M A MAN I'M FORTY, I CAN TAKE IT!
DOC BUGGS, I thought that was some kind of instrument physicans used to stick up your ass to check for hemorrhoids
this is outrageous! can't you see? it depends upon what the definition of "is" is . . . errrr . .. strike that . . . what the definition of "interaction" is. i thought we, as a nation, decided it was ok to lie, that we were past these old issues of right and wrong . . . it's all relative, dudes, so let's get on with it.
Whats wrong with you wingnuts? The kid knowingly lied about contact with a professional player. Against NCAA rules for a reason. It's called colusion. He needs to sit out the rest of the season at least. You don't lie.
Oklhoma State, what a supprise, I thought Florida State was the only school that required a police record as a resume for recruitment.
DOC BUGGS--you're off your medication again, aren't you?
The kid knows another athlete big deal. Does the NCAA need to know everything about someone's life; who they hang out with, when they eat, what they eat, how often they go to the bathroom. This is ridiculous. Let the kid play and do what he is good at and loves. Maybe someone should look into how many scandals are going on within the NCAA and all of the hushed payouts that occur and favoritism that goes on.
What choo talkin 'bout, Willis?
The kid knows Deion Sanders. He did not reveal it. Scandalous! Shocking! Nobody paid him to go to OSU. He is academically eligible to play. He has great pro prospects. This is more revealing of the NCAA, which makes billions of dollars off these kid athletes and purports to want to help student athletes. Unlike the Oregon player who has serious self-control issues and hit an opponent after losing, this did KNOWS DEION SANDERS and did not reveal how well he knew him. How dare a former professional player try to mentor a talented kid! What was he thinking!!!
He will be reinstated as well, but the NCAA has to flex its muscles first.
What DOCC BUGGS said............... !
why does EVERY story become a racist issue on AOL????