No doubt you've already heard of the pretty massive scandal which has rocked the Miami football program this week, which only got worse when Yahoo! Sports published an exclusive expose on the dealings on convicted Ponzi schemer Nevin Shapiro last night. The report is impeccably supported with damning documents that detail scores of serious NCAA violations Shapiro was engaged in with many different Miami football players from 2002 to 2010. Among those named are a number of current and former Eagles as well tons of other NFL players.
The allegations involving Antonio Dixon, Graig Cooper and Jerome McDougle are after the jump
First is current backup RB Graig Cooper, who the Eagles signed as an undrafted free agent this offseason.
Lodging on Shapiro's $1.6 million yacht for four days in January 2007.
Food, drinks and entertainment at Lucky Strike Lanes in January 2007.
Transportation in Shapiro's car in January 2007.
Next was former Eagles first round pick Jerome McDougle, who can be seen in several photos with Shapiro.
A television from BrandsMart USA for an apartment shared by McDougle, Cornelius Green and Andrew Williams. Shapiro said the TV cost approximately $700.
Drinks and VIP access in nightclubs.
A handful of cash gifts.
Food, drinks and entertainment in the booster's $2.7 million Miami Beach home.
And finally there is current Eagles DT Antonio Dixon.
At least two occasions where Shapiro paid for VIP access and drinks at nightclubs.
A dinner at Miami Beach eatery Grazie prior to the 2006 season.
One more I wanted to highlight though is Giants S Antrel Rolle, whose benefits put these guys to shame...
A $7,500 Jacob the Jeweler watch from Buchwald Jewelers.
Multiple cash gifts totaling in the thousands of dollars.
Multiple trips to both nightclubs and strip clubs where Shapiro paid for VIP access, drinks and entertainment.
$1,500 in bounties. One bounty of $1,000 was for Rolle shutting down Georgia Tech wideout (and former Miami recruiting target) Calvin Johnson in a 27-3 win over Georgia Tech on Oct. 2, 2004. A second bounty of $500 was for a game-sealing interception in a 41-38 win over Louisville on Oct. 14, 2004.
Trips on Shapiro's $1.6 million yacht.
Food, drinks and entertainment at Shapiro's $2.7 million Miami Beach home.
Transportation from Shapiro's bodyguards to and from nightclubs and strip clubs.
Shapiro also told federal agents in taped interviews that his former partner in Axcess Sports - then-NFL agent and current UFL commissioner Michael Huyghue - told him that he had paid Rolle approximately $40,000 while he was playing for the Hurricanes. According to a summary document acquired by Yahoo! Sports, Shapiro told federal agents that he also had a direct conversation with Rolle in which the player affirmed receiving the money from Huyghue and that he planned to repay it. Shapiro also told federal agents that current Miami staffer Sean Allen also had knowledge of Huyghue paying Rolle.
There are ton more of these as well that includes many, many current NFL players including Jon Beason, Calais Campbell, Vernon Carey, Orlando Franklin, Frank Gore, Jacory Harris, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Willis McGahee, Rocky McIntosh, Eric Moncur (who was with the Eagles for a short time), Kenny Phillips, Antrel Rolle, Sean Taylor, Jonathan Vilma, Vince Wilfork & Kellen Winslow Jr.