Here's a story for those of you who are sick and tired of hearing about Cam Newton and the NCAA's investigation into his recruitment after leaving Florida and ending up at Auburn. Turns out that Mr. Newton isn't the only Heisman contender whom the NCAA has taken a special interest in this season. According to a story in the Willamette Week in Portland, Oregon, the NCAA took a look at Oregon running back LaMichael James earlier this season as well.
Apparently they were wondering where James came across the 2003 Range Rover that he started driving earlier this season.
Questions about how James acquired his white luxury ride prompted Angie Cretors, NCAA assistant director for agent, gambling and amateurism activities, to fly to Portland to investigate. She met early this month with Pernell Brown, a local gang-outreach worker who describes himself as James’ “uncle.”
When asked for specifics, Brown explains he’s more like a friend of the family who looks after the 21-year-old sophomore from Texarkana, Texas.
Brown says James, a leading contender for the Heisman and a key to Oregon’s national title hopes with two regular-season games remaining, called him in October. Brown says James told him someone was stalking him and leaving notes on his car—a red 2000 Ford Mustang with James’ initials and his jersey number, 21, affixed to the side window.
Brown—a former Woodlawn Park Blood who served seven years in prison for assault with a deadly weapon—says he suggested trading cars with James. Brown says he bought his 2003 Range Rover this year. Sales records show he paid $17,238 cash to M&R Auto Sales in Northeast Portland. Brown says a finance company provided the money, and he leases the SUV from the company.
Brown also went on to say that he is not an agent, nor does he have any plans to become an agent. He also said he's never bought James anything, be it shoes, a shirt or anything because he doesn't have the money. Obviously it seems that the NCAA buys the story, as James was never subjected to any kind of punishment for driving the Range Rover.
In fact, while the NCAA won't comment on the investigation per its usual policy, Oregon says they believe that James has already been cleared of any wrong doing.
As for that stalker, maybe he was just stalking the car?
