Winning a national championship is hard enough in college football but maintaining a pristine image has become harder for those elite teams.
Consider the case of LSU, a 15-0 team that defeated seven Top Ten teams and may be one of the best teams of all time. The SEC Tigers got an unexpected slap in the face when Heisman Trophy winning quarterback revealed on a podcast that former LSU star and Cleveland Browns’ wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was distributing real cash to players on the field after the 42-25 victory over Clemson Monday night in New Orleans.
“I’m not a student-athlete anymore, so I can say yeah,’’ Burrow said on the most recent episode of Barstool Sports, “Pardon My Take.’’
Burrow’s statement opened a can of worms for the Tigers.
The school’s athletic department issued a statement Wednesday, saying it was aware of a video showing apparent cash being given to players by Beckham and it has already been in contact with the NCAA and the SEC concerning the matter.
“We are aware of the situation regarding Odell Beckham Jr. interacting with LSU student-athletes and others affiliated with the program following the championship game,’’ the statement said. “Initial information indicated the bills that was exchanged were bills that were exchanged were novelty bills. Information and footage reviewed since shows apparent cash may also have been given to LSU student-athletes.
“We were in contact with the NCAA and the SEC immediately upon learning of the situation in which some of our student-athletes may have been placed in a compromising position. We are working with our student-athletes, the NCAA in order to rectify the situation.’’
Initially, an LSU spokesman told the Baton Rouge Advocate that the money was counterfeit. But a now private Twitter video that initially went viral showed Beckham handing out real cash.
“First, I’m hearing about it,’’ LSU coach Ed Orgeron said.
It’s time the college football playoff to limit access to the field after the game, especially if there are too many third parties are ready to congratulate players with improper benefits.
