North Carolina suspends 13 players for selling their shoes
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Less than a year after emerging from a long run of NCAA issues, North Carolina is dealing with rule violations again — this time for football players selling team-issued shoes.
The school announced Monday that 13 players will miss games serving suspensions for the secondary NCAA violations, which will leave the Tar Heels shorthanded during much of the season’s opening month. While secondary violations are generally considered less severe, the penalties in this case will result in several players being forced to sit out at least a third of the regularseason schedule.
In all, nine players will miss four games, two will sit two games and two others will miss one contest. The NCAA approved a school request to delay two suspensions affecting multiple players at one position, while the other 11 suspensions begin with the Sept. 1 opener at California.
The Tar Heels want to put move on quickly from this latest embarrassment.
“The guys that are suspended, they’re very remorseful,” coach Larry Fedora said during a news conference Monday. “They don’t want to let their teammates down and they feel like they did in this situation. But nobody’s pointing fingers on this football team. … We’re beyond that point now. It’s already happened. It is what it is, so they’re all looking forward and moving forward.” OHIO STATE: Ohio State closed ranks around the rollout of its football season as the university investigates whether coach Urban Meyer failed to report domestic abuse allegations, a scandal hitting a school already accused of not facing up to sexual misconduct allegations against a sports doctor.
The Buckeyes planned to open their first football practice Friday without Meyer, who was put on administrative leave during the probe and also suspended from an endorsement deal by restaurant chain Bob Evans. It’s not clear how restrictive the paid leave will be for the coach set to earn $7.6 million for the season after getting a raise this year.
Ohio State officials said Thursday that reporters would be barred from football practices until at least next week, and university trustees announced that a six-member committee will head up the investigation.
Co-offensive coordinator Ryan Day has been named acting head coach.
“Due to the ongoing investigation, football coaches and student-athletes will not be available for interviews until further notice and all practices will be closed,” Ohio State spokesman Jerry Emig said in an email.
Meyer’s future with one of the most storied programs in college football depends on how he managed allegations that Buckeyes assistant and recruiting coordinator Zach Smith abused his exwife, Courtney Smith — answering the questions of what Meyer knew and when.
Courtney Smith alleged Wednesday that she told Meyer’s wife, Shelley, about the abuse in text messages and phone conversations in 2015 and that Shelley Meyer indicated she would tell the head coach.
AAF: Former New Mexico running back Jhurell Pressley and former New Mexico State offensive lineman Anthony McMeans were among 100 players signed by the the Alliance of American Football, a start-up professional league scheduled to begin play in February.
Pressley and McMeans both were signed by the AAF’s Phoenix franchise. They were the only New Mexico-connected players on the list.
Pressley played for the Lobos from 2012-15, rushing for 2,725 yards on 394 carries with 35 touchdown. He has been under contract .with Minnesota, Green Bay, Atlanta and Jacksonville but has not had a carry in the NFL.
McMeans was a two-year starter at center for the Aggies. He signed a freeagent contract with the Los Angeles Rams in April 2017 but was waived the following month.