STILLWATER, OK - OCTOBER 8: Wide receiver Justin Blackmon #81 of Oklahoma State celebrates with fans after the game against Kansas University on October 8, 2011 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State defeated Kansas 70-28. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
Here we have a report that Oklahoma State players may have received impermissible benefits, if you like reading that sort of thing.
The Oklahoma St. Cowboys are looking into whether a man named Gannon Mendez provided impermissible benefits to OSU football players, according to a lengthy report by Fox Sports' Thayer Evans. Self-reported violations along the way included the sale of bowl-gifted XBoxes to athletic department employees, which is about six levels of NCAA ticky-tackery all at once.
According to the report, Blackmon, Hubert Anyiam and Kendall Hunter attended a birthday party for Mendez' stepdaughter. Mendez reportedly bragged about selling their autographs for $50 each, splitting proceeds with the players, once selling a Blackmon signature for $300. Further allegations include Mendez giving food and drinks to Cowboys players and selling electronics for them.
He's been informally banned from appearing on the sidelines during OSU games, according to the report, after coach Mike Gundy announced to the team that players were to have no further contact.
We'll wait and see what comes of this. It's not exactly Nevin Shapiro, but if these indiscretions can be proven to OK State's and then the NCAA's satisfaction, this will be a bad thing for the Cowboys. Pretty deep analysis.
For more on the Cowboys, visit Oklahoma State blog Cowboys Ride for Free.
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