HBO Special Thread (including players debunking their story)

[TigerGlide 1]

I hope this is a fabricated story. Apparently, the show doesn't run until tomorrow night.

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.”

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.”

Kremer to McClover: “What did you say to the guy when he hands you five hundred dollars?”

McClover: “Thank you and I’m seriously thinking about coming to LSU.”

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.”

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.”

Kremer: “Did she offer sexual services?“

McClover: “Yes.”

Kremer: “Did you take them?”

McClover: “Yes.”

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.”

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.”

Kremer to McClover: “You opened it up, what are you thinking?”

McClover: “I almost passed out. I literally almost passed out I couldn’t believe it was true. I felt like I owed them.”

Kremer to McClover: “You felt obligated to them (Auburn)?”

McClover: “I felt totally obligated.”

Kremer to McClover: “Because of the money?”

McClover: “Yeah.”

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?”

Reddick: “That people are trying to take advantage of me. And I can’t give anybody any kind of power over me.”

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.”

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.”

Kremer: “So what did you do?”

Reddick: “I started complaining and insinuating that I was ready to leave any day. They had to do something about that.”

Kremer voiceover: “The enticement to stay, Reddick says, became clear to him, when one of the coaches approached him after a team meeting.”

Reddick: “He (Auburn coach) said I got some mail for you up in my office.”

Kremer to Reddick: “Some mail for you?”

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.”

Kremer: “500 dollars in the envelope?”

Reddick: (nods yes)

Kremer: “How often did you get the money in the envelope?”

Reddick: “Over that season it happened like two or three more times. And it happened about six or seven times my senior year.”

Kremer: “So where do you think the money came from?”

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.”

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.”

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.”

Kremer voiceover: “McClover says eventually he didn’t have to ask for money, as long as he played well, he’d get paid.”

Kremer to McClover: “How much was a sack worth?”

McClover: “Anywhere between 300 and 400 dollars. For one.”

Kremer to McClover: “I think in one game you had four sacks, what did you earn in that game?”

McClover: “Four thousand. Against Alabama.”

Kremer: “Seriously?”

McClover: “Alabama, a rivalry game.”

Kremer: “More money because it’s Alabama?”

McClover: “Definitely. No other game matters.”

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.”

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.”

Kremer: “How much are we talking about?”

Ramsey: “300 or 400 dollars a game.”

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.”

Kremer to Gray: “How much do you think you got?”

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.”

Kremer voiceover: “And he did go to Auburn but got injured before he ever played a game.”

On Ramsey’s motivation for coming forward

Kremer: “You have an axe to grind?” (Ramsey had a medical claim lawsuitagainst 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.”

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.”

Kremer: “How much money did that get you during your time at Auburn?”

Ramsey: “Five-six thousand dollars probably.”

Reddick: “I sold my SEC Championship watch right off the stage as we were celebrating in Toomer’s Corner.”

Kremer: “Why did you sell it?”

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.”

I will have more on the HBO Real Sports special as I continue to screen the remainder of the show.

Link: http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/ex-auburn-players-claim-systematic-pay-to-play-29592

[WarTiger 3,924]

sportsbybrooks is one of the least credible sources out there and I don't care if this is how it airs word for word. I don't believe a word of it. Way too many players have come forward and said they are lying. I'm not at all going to believe this garbage with the other garbage this idiot put out there months ago. That had zero truth to it as well.

[Tiltowait_AU 0]

There's a summary over at Track 'em Tigers as well for those of us who wouldn't head to Sports by Brooks on a dare (having problems pasting the link to the specific article for some reason, so wander on over if y'all wish).

I agree, there have been *plenty* of ex-AU players who say that this is false... and all of them would be more likely to be paid on a merit basis. I'm not saying that the ol' booster handshake never occurs, but the description of the systematic nature of this just doesn't ring true. Especially given the fact that the so-called recruiting activity with McClover was shown to not be accurate.

There appears to be no details, and pretty much all of the players mentioned in the "special" have washed out in one form or another and got -- allegedly -- paid for their "interview". No names, no coaches mentioned, no specifics. Add it to the rumor-filled allegations pointed at the reigning national champions. Won't loose any sleep over it.

But in the day and age of perception is reality, it's not a good thing. Gonna be a long summer. Time to tune out for a bit and get ready for A-Day.

[Mikey 16,753]

McClover has been proven to be a liar. All we have here is sour grapes from players that didn't make it big. I don't believe a word of it. Let 'em keep on bringing this crap and maybe it will inspire the team to repeat. Another 14-0 season would be sweet!

And...if SBB has something accurate, it would be by sheer accident, he's been off base with everything else.

[ShocksMyBrain 9,379]

Is this the HBO special? If so, I've read that the show isn't even going to be following that formula.

[Ryan Sanders 123]

A lot of stuff there to be fabricated.

Maybe the crap that the 4 players were saying is fabricated, but I wouldn't doubt that this will be on the air.

Pretty sad.

[AUBURNJAC 53]

Tick and Tock the clock hands round cause the Auburn Tigers are going DOWN!!!!!!!

These guys are OBVIOUSLY telling the truth! They are highly successful individuals and must be telling the truth!

DEATH PENALTY TO THE TIGERS!

If you think about it, and I mean ALL of it that has gone down over the last 7 or so months it is almost comical! Just laugh it off! These little bitches that keep spewing this bull**** about us paying and how corrupt we are will eventually be the ones to look like fools.

WAR DAMN "WE BE CORRUPT" EAGLE!

[OldNewby 27]

Tick and Tock the clock hands round cause the Auburn Tigers are going DOWN!!!!!!!

These guys are OBVIOUSLY telling the truth! They are highly successful individuals and must be telling the truth!

DEATH PENALTY TO THE TIGERS!

Updykes abound. And they'll believe anything anti-Auburn.

[RunInRed 16,497]

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.

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.

http://madvertiserblogs.com/HABOTN/2011/03/29/wednesday-will-be-a-big-day-at-auburn/

[RunInRed 16,497]

Former Tigers defend AU's program

[AUgrad00 7]

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.

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.

http://madvertiserblogs.com/HABOTN/2011/03/29/wednesday-will-be-a-big-day-at-auburn/

So they either lied then or are lying now which is it?

I would say it if this is true name freakin name guys? Name em. What coaches, what boosters who are they when did they give it to you?

They speak in such generalities and Mcglover and Ramsey have no credibility it makes me wonder if the story is true.

[AUgrad00 7]

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.

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.

http://madvertiserblogs.com/HABOTN/2011/03/29/wednesday-will-be-a-big-day-at-auburn/

So they either lied then or are lying now which is it?

I would say it if this is true name freakin name guys? Name em. What coaches, what boosters who are they when did they give it to you?

They speak in such generalities and Mcglover and Ramsey have no credibility it makes me wonder if the story is true.

I would add one thing you cant control booster and you can call me nieve but I dont believe for one minute Tubbs had coaches paying players. I dont buy it.

[RunInRed 16,497]

HBO films a day for Stanley McClover's foundation on February 27th, a month later McClover appears on HBO special. http://bit.ly/frOXej

@JHokanson

[RunInRed 16,497]

Funny HBO story just broke. Couple former players lying...Keep dreaming fellas..

@Ziemba73

[kickinwang 0]

and kody bliss comes out swinging on twitter....

I don't know Chaz Ramsey or Who Raven Gray even is. But Of the two I do know HBO literally picked two of the dumbest people I have ever met.

and...

@KJHerbert all I know is. That if Stanley had money he wasn't spending it. He borrowed my truck all freshman year.

[RunInRed 16,497]

I started 52 games for auburn, played on a 14-0 national champ team...and saw no money from any boosters or the team itself

...

Was recruited by the same folks as the hbo star bums, walked out the same locker room as them after games...never a dime

@Ziemba73

War Damn Lee Ziemba.

[jw 4 au 526]

Just for a second, suppose this was considered true and the NCAA decided to look into it. No names for whom these handshakes came from, no paper trail, no accounting ledgers or bank accounts with large deposits, no pictures (other than Dakota Mosley of course), no bookbags with fingerprints, several guys with an axe to grind, NO PROOF other than 4 peoples words! And how long ago was the last accusation? Could anything come from this, hypothetically speaking? I don't even think so. Any lawyers care to opine?

Now, back to reality.

[RunInRed 16,497]

We all walked out of same locker room and had same coaches yet never had money given to us. It's a shame what people will say

@Ryan_Pugh

[RunInRed 16,497]

Are these ex-Auburn players going to talk to NCAA? Name the boosters that paid them? Offer proof? If not, it's really kind of pointless.

@slmandel

[jw 4 au 526]

Another thing, any comments from Tubs on this? It all occured under his watch. I highly doubt Coach Tubs would have allowed anything like this to happen with his staff or his players.

[aubiescottie 1]

It's all straight from movies. Anyone ever seen BlueChips or The Program? Watched the SMU 30 for 30? Not hard to come up with scenarios.

[Duder 238]

It's all straight from movies. Anyone ever seen BlueChips or The Program? Watched the SMU 30 for 30? Not hard to come up with scenarios.

Indeed--the Blue Chips thing is exactly what I was thinking. I wonder when one of them will say a booster straightened their lapel at a dinner party and slipped an envelope in --give me an F'N break.

[autigeremt 6,719]

Bunch of bull with only one thing in common.....

4 men who sold themselves to cause trouble for AU. I hope they never step foot on our campus again, because their feet are soiled with toxic waste.

[quietfan 233]

Another thing, any comments from Tubs on this? It all allegedly occured under his watch. I highly doubt Coach Tubs would have allowed anything like this to happen with his staff or his players.

FTFY

[TitanTiger 20,524]

Comments from T.J. Jackson:

T.J. Jackson, a two-time All-SEC performer at defensive tackle for Auburn who played with Reddick and McClover, told the Opelika-Auburn News he was never paid when he was at the school, and he never heard any of these allegations while playing with the two.

“I’m not saying this to brag, but I made all-conference my junior and senior year, and I didn’t get paid,” Jackson said Tuesday night. “And I wasn’t the only back-to-back, all-conference player and those guys didn’t get paid either.

“I always hated these shows where guys are coming back after the fact saying all this. I say, ‘Alright, dude. If you got paid, you should have fed a few of us. We played with you.’

“Of course I’m speaking facetiously. But there seems to be other things going on with them than it just being about Auburn and football.”...

...Jackson, for one, said he doesn’t know what prompted his teammates to make such claims.

But he can guess.

“The question I pose is if, say, Stanley was a high draft pick, would we even be talking about this right now?” Jackson said. “If you’ve got issues with people, why not deal with them one-on-one instead of making it into a big deal? If you want to make a name for yourself, go into some other profession. Don’t make your whole life about football.

“Don’t make this into something it’s not just because you have anger about something.”

http://www2.oanow.com/blogs/aublog/2011/mar/29/16/report-4-former-players-tell-hbo-they-received-mon-ar-1646268/