A while back, when Chris Rainey, a top Florida recruit, gave his verbal to the Gators... he made a couple of comments regarding "it was a good thing to verbal early because once fans know you're on board, good things start happening for you". There were some question about what these "good things" were. Now, this past Tuesday, Rainey was quoted in the Miami Herald: "Then there are the rewards that come with recognition. Rainey said a local clothing vendor recently gave him a bag full of sports jerseys and jewelry in exchange for his autograph. Another time, an elderly woman approached him at a restaurant, gave him a hug and handed him a wad of cash. ''I didn't even count it,'' Rainey said. ``When I walk around, people are buying me food, giving me money. I'm like, damn, I'm glad I'm Chris Rainey. It's real nice to be me.'' And on Wednesday... this: "A Lakeland High School football player is under investigation for allegedly accepting gifts that could violate rules of amateurism, according to the Florida High School Athletic Association. Chris Rainey, Lakeland's star senior running back, told The Miami Herald he received sports jerseys and jewelry from a Lakeland clothing vendor in exchange for an autograph. He also said he received cash from an unknown elderly woman." http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/16173414.htm This kid will need someone like Willie Williams' attorney. ... and I'm real sure he will have one... and he will be very good... and very free!!
He was cleared to play in the state championship game, his team won and he hung $2.76 on the other team: The Dreadnaughts star senior running back endured a tumultuous week after he allegedly accepted money as a local celebrity and traded his autograph for clothing and jewelry. Until late Thursday night it was not known if Rainey would have to sit out the 5A state title game. The Polk County School Board eventually cleared Rainey to play and then Rainey went clear through the St. Thomas defense rushing for 276 yards on 26 carries and three touchdowns to spur Lakeland to a 45-42 double overtime victory and the school's fifth state championship. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/16201474.htm I don't know what the amateur rules are but at a minimum he is guilty of being stupid albeit young and stupid. How about the the adults throwing money at him like that, pretty pathetic.
If they know enough about college football to pay a good prospect, surely they know enough to realize it's against the rules. They would have to live in a cave to not have heard of the problems at other schools such as tOSU.
