Burrow: OBJ handed out real cash to players
It appeared to be a joke when Cleveland Browns and former LSU receiver Odell Beckham was seen handing cash to Tigers players after Monday's national championship game.
The university's athletic department isn't laughing now.
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow went on a Barstool podcast and said that the bills were real.
“I'm not a student-athlete anymore, so I can say yeah,” Burrow said.
In the wake of those comments, LSU's athletic department put out a statement acknowledging that some of the money appeared to be real.
“Initial information suggested bills that were exchanged were novelty bills. Information and footage reviewed since shows apparent cash may have also been given to LSU student-athletes,” the statement read. “We were in contact with the NCAA and the SEC immediately upon learning of this situation in which some of our student-athletes may have been placed in a compromising position. We are working with our student-athletes, the NCAA and the SEC in order to rectify the situation.”
Receiver Justin Jefferson and safety Grant Delpit
are among a half dozen players from LSU's national championship team who've stated their intention to enter the NFL draft. Offensive linemen Saahdiq Charles and Lloyd Cushenberry and linebackers Patrick Queen and Jacob Phillips also plan to turn pro.
Alabama running back Najee Harris has decided to return for his senior season, according to 247Sports. He led the Crimson Tide with 1,224 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.
Bobby Petrino, a coach with a track record of on-thefield success and off-the-field embarrassments, will be the next coach at Missouri State.