Darth23
Nov 26th, 2002, 09:49:23 AM
The main story:
<a href=http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/sports/colleges/florida_state_university/4605778.htm target=new>T.D. Sports</a.
Posted on Tue, Nov. 26, 2002
McPherson off team
Seminoles' quarterback part of police investigation
By Steve Ellis
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
Quarterback Adrian McPherson was dismissed from the Florida State University football team Monday amid a police investigation into his alleged involvement in a check forgery.
According to a Tallahassee Police Department news release, the case involves the theft of a blank check from a local business. The check was forged and cashed at a local bank.
No one, including McPherson, had been charged as of Monday afternoon. School officials said they do not think another FSU athlete is involved in this investigation. McPherson had not been questioned by TPD at the time of his dismissal.
His attorney, Grady Irvin of St.Petersburg, said his client might not be charged in the case. He also said McPherson contacted police about the incident.
"Adrian did not write the check," Irvin said. "He did not endorse the check or receive any funds from the check. It is our understanding that McPherson may have knowledge of the check."
Sources said the check was stolen from R&R Truck Rental on West Tennessee Street, and Irvin said the forged check was cashed for $3,500. Dale Acosta, R&R's owner, said he was "a victim in all this" and he is cooperating with police. Acosta said he would release a statement this morning.
Irvin said McPherson was disappointed by the turn of events.
"He took the initial steps. He was proactive through all of this. People who are proactive certainly warrant some reservation on the part of the institution to hold back and let's say, 'Let the dust and smoke clear and find out what is going on,'" Irvin said at a news conference in St. Petersburg. "To dismiss him from the football team is very disconcerting."
McPherson's departure comes five days before the Seminoles' showdown against Florida, although his position as starting quarterback already was in question after last weekend's stunning 17-7 loss to North Carolina State. Chris Rix, who started 20 games before being replaced by McPherson, will start Saturday for 23rd-ranked FSU.
FSU coach Bobby Bowden said he can't discuss specifics of the investigation or the dismissal. "I can't stand to talk when I can't talk," he said.
Details were unclear Monday, and rumors were rampant. McPherson's attorney further muddied the situation by giving apparently conflicting statements.
At first, Irvin said McPherson told coaches last Friday about the situation and that he was allowed to play anyway.
"At some time last week Mr. McPherson approached members of the coaching staff and informed at least one member he was concerned about some contact," Irvin said.
Irvin later said the coaching staff became aware of the matter over the weekend.
Bowden told the team Monday that McPherson was kicked off the squad because he had lied to him. Bowden wasn't specific about their conversation, according to two players. It is a normal practice for players who run into legal problems to be suspended until the case is concluded with a police investigation or through the court system.
"It all depends on the circumstances...circumstance and information we know to be accurate," FSU athletic director Dave Hart said.
Hart said McPherson has not violated any university or NCAA rules and that the decision to dismiss McPherson was made within the athletic department. Although Tallahassee was abuzz Monday with rumors that McPherson's dismissal was related to gambling, FSU compliance director Bob Minnix said his office has not investigated it as a gambling-related matter.
Sports information director Rob Wilson also confirmed that this investigation does not involve gambling.
McPherson, Florida's Mr. Basketball and Mr. Football in high school, also will not play basketball for the Seminoles. He remains enrolled and on scholarship at the university.
The dismissal of McPherson - who started the past four games and was 80 of 155 for 1,017 yards, with 12 touchdowns and one interception - stunned teammates.
"It's a shock," said tailback Nick Maddox. "A guy losing eligibility is shocking."
Offensive tackle Brett Williams said McPherson let the team down.
"It's very disappointing," Williams said. "I remember just thinking to myself ... 'Man, he's going to be a great quarterback and might win the Heisman or something one day.' He kind of let us down.
"We've been through similar situations like this around here. I think we will be able to handle it well."
McPherson's dismissal comes at the end of a roller-coaster regular season for FSU. The Seminoles won their 10th ACC title outright and will play in a Bowl Championship Series game, likely the Sugar Bowl. But FSU also lost at least four games for the second consecutive season and will be without offensive starters Maddox and Antoine Mirambeau when it hosts Florida.