The “U” in Serious Trouble … University of Miami Hurricanes Accused of Giving Gifts to Football Players by former Miami Booster Nevin Shapiro … Will NCAA Give the Death Penalty?

ANOTHER NCAA FOOTBALL SCANDAL AND A USUAL SUSPECT …

If true, this explosive accusation would make the Miami Hurricanes of the 80′s and 90′s blush. Looks like the U has an albatross around their neck, oh wait, that’s just IBES.

Former Miami Hurricane booster, who is now serving jail time, has blown the whistle on the “U”. The incidents are said to have taken place with Miami football players and other athletes from 2002 through 2010. As reported at Yahoo Sports, this is a must read and a damning expose. Who would have ever thought that the Canes of the 1980′s could have ever been outdone?

A University of Miami booster, incarcerated for his role in a $930 million Ponzi scheme, has told Yahoo! Sports he provided thousands of impermissible benefits to at least 72 athletes from 2002 through 2010.

In 100 hours of jailhouse interviews during Yahoo! Sports’ 11-month investigation, Hurricanes booster Nevin Shapiro described a sustained, eight-year run of rampant NCAA rule-breaking, some of it with the knowledge or direct participation of at least seven coaches from the Miami football and basketball programs. At a cost that Shapiro estimates in the millions of dollars, he said his benefits to athletes included but were not limited to cash, prostitutes, entertainment in his multimillion-dollar homes and yacht, paid trips to high-end restaurants and nightclubs, jewelry, bounties for on-field play (including bounties for injuring opposing players), travel and, on one occasion, an abortion.

So what does this mean for the future of The U, formerly known as “thug life” in the 1980′s and early 90′s? Could the NCAA give the U the “death penalty”, similar to that of the Pony Express and SMU in the late 80′s. After the most recent actions against Ohio State for their breaking of the NCAA rules, this one would make that pale in comparison. Selling jerseys vs. trips on yachts, getting tattos vs. receiving prostitutes. YIKES …  the NCAA and The U has a major headache on their hands.

More at ESPN and a list of the gifts that where given and names named.

Shapiro said he gave money, cars, yacht trips, jewelry, televisions and other gifts to a list of players including Vince Wilfork, Jon Beason, Antrel Rolle, Devin Hester, Willis McGahee and the late Sean Taylor. Shapiro also claimed he paid for nightclub outings, sex parties, restaurant meals and in one case, an abortion for a woman impregnated by a player. One former Miami player, running back Tyrone Moss, told Yahoo! Sports he accepted $1,000 from Shapiro around the time he was entering college.