NCAA reportedly investigating Florida (but temper excitement)
Maybe Maurkice Pouncey (56) can use the, "It wasn't me, it was my brother (55)" excuse.
Those dirty, cheatin’ Florida Gators may be under NCAA investigation.
But seriously, don’t get too excited, folks.
According to report by ESPN.com, the NCAA is investigating an allegation that former Florida center Maurkice Pouncey, a first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, was paid $100,000 by a representative of an agent some time after the Florida-Alabama SEC championship game against and before the Gators’ appearance in the Sugar Bowl against Cincinnati.
Let’s consider the worst-case scenario: Pouncey is guilty. That means Florida used an ineligible player in the Sugar Bowl. The ramifications: They would have to forfeit one win over the Cincinnati Bearcats.
So much the earth-shaking news in Gainesville. Or the parade in Athens.
Barring the NCAA finding Florida in violation of other allegations, the only way the Gators get slapped with a more significant penalty than vacating one win is if the NCAA finds that Florida knowingly used an illegal player in the Sugar Bowl. That issue was at the root of USC’s two-year probation with Reggie Bush. The difference is, Bush’s reported benefits took place over a series of several months, including his family living rent-free in a home that was provided by a sports marketing representative. The NCAA determined that the Trojans must have been aware of benefits Bush was receiving over a long period of time.
If Pouncey took $100,000 from the agent in the time frame that has been outlined, the NCAA would have to prove that Florida became aware of it after the SEC championship (Dec. 5) and before the Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1), a period of four weeks (some of which was a holiday break for players). It doesn’t seem likely the NCAA could prove that — nor does it seem plausible that coach Urban Meyer would care enough to cover up allegations of one player taking money from an agent for the sake of one bowl game that didn’t have national championship ramifications.
By the way, for the record, Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said: “At this time we have no information that has indicated that there are any compliance issues for the University of Florida.”
The NCAA will take it from here.
So let me guess: You believe Florida should be hit with three years probation and loss of 30 scholarships?
♦
Earlier today: Sneak Peek Monday:
Can Dogs end Alabama-Florida monopoly in SEC title game?
Can Jackets make it back to the ACC title game?
♦
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214 comments Add your comment
Noleman28
July 19th, 2010
4:12 pm
TampaGator
Tebow should be a pretty solid FB/TE in the NFL. Could be similar to Mike Alstott as a FB.
He may get a few snaps at QB in short yardage situations but that’s about it. Let’s hope he can accept that role and not cry about it. We’ve all seen enough of him crying.
TampaGator
July 19th, 2010
4:14 pm
I just read that the agent involved would have violated the Florida state agent law by giving money to Pouncey at that time….and if the agent can be identified, that agent could lose his agent license in Florida and be fined substantially……GOOD. I hope it happens real soon.
Ralph
July 19th, 2010
4:16 pm
Football educates the senses, calls into action the will, perfects the physical constitution, brings men into such swift and close collision in critical moments that man measures man.”
TampaGator
July 19th, 2010
4:17 pm
Noleman28…right now….Tebow is progressing just fine to win the backup role to Orton in Denver this coming season. I don’t think he will have any problem beating out the ex-Notre Dame QB for the backup role in his rookie season.
Ted Striker
July 19th, 2010
4:17 pm
This here’s a story about Maurkice and Mike Pouncey
Two young gators with nothin better to do
Than wait around to play the Tide, get high, smokin ounces
Here’s what happened when Urbie let ‘em loose
Headed north, hotel not far from the Dome
Where Maurkice got some Benjamins for him to take home
Maurkice took the cash in the lobby, just b4 the game
Came the game, lost the game, same-ole-same
Go on take the money and run
Go on take the money and run
Go on take the money and run
Go on take the money and run
TampaGator
July 19th, 2010
4:21 pm
Noleman28…..
And….you are probably one of those who said Tebow wouldn’t even get drafted by the NFL…which round did he go in???? FIRST…which made you cry….didn’t it!!!
bulldogmaniac
July 19th, 2010
4:21 pm
Forget all of the garbage! Let’s just beat UF on the field!
Mike T.
July 19th, 2010
4:21 pm
47 to your 39 and 2 ties
UGA Student
July 19th, 2010
4:22 pm
TampaGator – For this being a blog about a UF player messing up, i find it quite immature that you keep bringing up Damon Evans. Grow up.
Things that make you go hmmm.....
July 19th, 2010
4:22 pm
IF there’s something to it, will Oscar Meyer “retire” again?
Beast from the East
July 19th, 2010
4:23 pm
Striker,
Don’t quit your day job. You went form “Beverly Hillbillies” to classic rock. What were you thinking?
Things that make you go hmmm.....
July 19th, 2010
4:23 pm
TampaGator
July 19th, 2010
4:21 pm
Nah, REAL men don’t cry. Ooops, that leave out Tebow and Meyer.
Bamaboy
July 19th, 2010
4:23 pm
36 to your 25
Reality
July 19th, 2010
4:24 pm
Your 38 year old AD did a good bit of crying…it’s in the police report. And he’s 38.
Things that make you go hmmm.....
July 19th, 2010
4:24 pm
Bamaboy
July 19th, 2010
4:23 pm
If the 36 equals my waist size (which it does) and the 25 equals your IQ, then yes, good post.
Things that make you go hmmm.....
July 19th, 2010
4:25 pm
Reality
July 19th, 2010
4:24 pm
You mean our FORMER Athletic Director?
YoungDawg
July 19th, 2010
4:27 pm
No just declare Maurkice Pouncey not eligible if it’s true. This is how it should be! Catch the players & agents then punish them ASAP! Now if UF knew about it & let him play then yea they have to forfeit those games & give back the Bowl money!
Mike T.
July 19th, 2010
4:27 pm
At least we’ve beat Notre Dame, something ole checkerhead could never do.
Mike T.
July 19th, 2010
4:28 pm
our ex 38 year old AD
gatorman770
July 19th, 2010
4:30 pm
What I want to see if the NCAA sends dozens of NCAA investiGators in their normal SOP for violations in the SEC or will they lolligag around picking their butts like they did with the precious PAC-10 (or is that 12-PAC, now) Southern Cal?
Ted Striker
July 19th, 2010
4:31 pm
Beast @ 4:23 — What was I thinking? I was thinking about the smiles your twin sisters had when they left my house last night.
Mike T.
July 19th, 2010
4:33 pm
The first two letters of GAtors are the abbreviation for GEORGIA.
gatorman770
July 19th, 2010
4:33 pm
Oh….I meant to say: “……will they lolligag around picking their butts like they did with the precious PAC-10 (or is that 12-PAC, now) Southern Cal, for 5 friggin’ years?”
Bamaboy
July 19th, 2010
4:33 pm
@Things that give hummers
That’s the best you’ve got? Like your team, pathetic
Mr. Phil
July 19th, 2010
4:38 pm
C’mon NCAA dig deeper. Use this as an opportunity to really get in the Gators sock drawer and see what’s going on. I personally got very little satisfaction from the USC smack down. Let’s see how much worse you can do. I say ban the entire state of Florida from football related activities for at least the rest of my natural life.
Hillbilly Deluxe
July 19th, 2010
4:38 pm
What Division 1 school shouldn’t be investigated?
East Atlanta
July 19th, 2010
4:39 pm
Doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. The funny part is reading posts from the crybaby Gator fans as they try to rationalize, blame the agent, blame the NCAA, blame the dad’s illness (somehow), blame everyone…but themselves. Face it, if this turns out to be true, you had an ineligible player play in the Sugar Bowl. So, technically, you cheated (albeit unknowingly). Take your lumps like pretty much the rest of the CFB universe has had to this summer. You’ll survive.
GT BABY
July 19th, 2010
4:42 pm
If this were UGAY, the comments would be off……BANK ON IT!
Mike T.
July 19th, 2010
4:44 pm
Yeah we were real patheic when Stafford threw that TD in OT.Yall have a couple of good years with Satan, but ya’ll quickly forget those years Auburn, LSU and every one else was kicking yout butts. Auburn how many years in a row. six or seven.
Bamaboy
July 19th, 2010
4:47 pm
@GT Baby
You’re right about that. It would be “Comments are closed.”
Bamaboy
July 19th, 2010
4:51 pm
Mike T.
July 19th, 2010
4:44 pm
And how many SEC and NC does your sorry little team have? Hmmmmm????
Bamaboy
July 19th, 2010
4:52 pm
I am gay
Pi$$onaDawg
July 19th, 2010
4:53 pm
NCAA talking about violations at UGA, USC, UT, and UF? Sounds like the SEC EAST has a problem!
Galen Hall
July 19th, 2010
4:53 pm
The Gators have never cheated.
Charley Pell
July 19th, 2010
4:53 pm
I agree with Coach Hall.
Steve Spurrier
July 19th, 2010
4:55 pm
Heck, I could take your players and beat mine. And, it’s the Head Ball Coach, not Ol’ Ball Coach. Pay attention, dummies.
SMITTYSTHEMAN
July 19th, 2010
4:55 pm
I see red panties falling from the sky!!! I see red panties falling from the sky!!!!
Bama fan
July 19th, 2010
4:56 pm
Its a non issue. Florida would have to vacate the game for using an ineligible player and that’s it. There was no institutional problem here with Florida. And on top of that if indeed the player took money to help his father with a life saving operation this would largely be looked over. Much ado about nothing.
Bear Bryant
July 19th, 2010
4:56 pm
Momma never would let me cheat, I never even knew what the spread was on games. I was such a good ole boy, so good. I love Bamaboy in a special way.
Pi$$onaDawg
July 19th, 2010
4:57 pm
If it is wrong to now wear BLACKFACE in movies it is also wrong to have your Butt painted White and walk the UGA sidelines? RUSS wants to know.
Billy Bob
July 19th, 2010
4:59 pm
When’s the parade. It’s like scoring a touchdown. Gotta celebrate when you can!
Wally Butts
July 19th, 2010
4:59 pm
You sure about that, Bear?
Reality
July 19th, 2010
5:00 pm
Cheating Hall of Fame
The top 29 NCAA Division 1 teams in terms of all-time major NCAA infractions cases:
1) Arizona State…3) Auburn…..NUMBER 11) GEORGIA…
Source: ncaa.org (NCAA Legislative Database of major infractions)
BTW, Bama, Florida or even GT do not make this list.
Beast from the East
July 19th, 2010
5:05 pm
Striker,
I’ve got no sisters. But if I did, I’d send them straight to your place!
Beast from the East
July 19th, 2010
5:11 pm
Reality,
You can’t use facts with these guys. They don’t understand them and therefore refuse to acknowledge them.
Tdawg
July 19th, 2010
5:11 pm
Yes it is a big deal. This is a major violation. Just how major depends. I have to believe that the coaches did not know about this. But if things like this happened to other players on the team then it’s a big problem. All I’m saying is that thanks to Mr Pouncey the NCAA will look a lot deeper into the program than if it were a secondary violation. He opened the door for the NCAA to get in. If there is anything else then it could get ugly. If Mr Pouncey is the only one then taking away the bowl victory should end the whole mess.
I'm not Maurkice, he is
July 19th, 2010
5:15 pm
If guilty, unfortunate that you have to vacate the win for other 75-80 guys who didn’t cheat. $100 K is a lot of cash (hello IRS), so if true, you know he was making sure the agent was serious about the offer (i.e., he had thought about it a lot).
Greg
July 19th, 2010
5:16 pm
It’s snowing red panties, it’s snowing red panties, it’s snowing red panties… to all dawg fans, not sugar but red panties… get some of it.
Bo
July 19th, 2010
5:16 pm
Hey Schultz, is there any truth to the reports that Urban has told you to watch yourself for writing these despicable lies about kids? You better be careful or else Jeremy Foley isn’t going to send you anymore press releases about UF.
It's a shame what he did to that dog.
July 19th, 2010
5:18 pm
The NCAA investigates the SEC a lot. I wonder if the Big Ten is paying them off?
NCAA = Spanish Inquisition