Florida football recruit admits to taking money

[Russ Smith]

By JOSEPH GOODMAN
[email protected]

The only game in town
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.

''I didn't even count it,'' Rainey said in a story published Tuesday. ``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.''

Efforts to reach Rainey for additional comment later Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Bylaw 11.9.1 of the FHSAA rules handbook states that ``a student may not participate in an athletic activity of the Association unless he/she is an amateur. A student who has accepted remuneration, gift or donation for participation in a sport is . . . thereafter disqualified for further participation in that sport in high school for a period of one year.''

Lakeland (14-0), ranked No. 1 in the nation in some polls, plays Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (12-1) on Friday at Dolphin Stadium in the FHSAA's Class 5A state championship. Lakeland is a two-time defending Class 5A state champion.

FHSAA Commissioner John Stewart contacted Miami Herald Executive Sports Editor Jorge Rojas on Tuesday morning to verify the authenticity of the quote attributed to Rainey.

''We stand by the reporting in the story,'' Rojas said. ``It's all on tape.''

In a letter sent to The Miami Herald, Stewart said, `This office is notifying Lakeland High School that the FHSAA is beginning a formal investigation into this matter.''

He later said, ``We're looking at it and talking to Lakeland people to see what is going on. . . . We have to prove that [Rainey] accepted gifts. It's going to be his word against the reporter's.''

Lakeland Athletic Director Sid Kimbrell confirmed Tuesday that the FHSAA contacted Lakeland about possible rules violations.

''We're looking into it and that's all the comment I want to make on it,'' Kimbrell said

 

[devilfan02]

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.

''I didn't even count it,'' Rainey said in a story published Tuesday. ``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.''

What a *******. His parents did a great job raising that gem

 

[Russ Smith]

What a *******. His parents did a great job raising that gem

The story is just weird. Rainey is now denying it. First he said he didn't say it, then the reporter said he had it on tape. Rainey then hired an attorney and said he was "just joking around I didn't realize he was taping it." The reporter insists he was holding a microphone in front of Rainey when talking to him. And another report says the only reason they ever asked Rainey about taking money was that there were rumors all over the campus that Rainey was bragging about taking money and gifts.

I'm not clear if this means the kid will be stripped of amateur status or not since he blatantly admits he has no idea how much he actually took, he can't just repay it which is the usual punishment.


This is like when Melvin Turpin got mad that some of his Kentucky teammates told him they got paid while they were in college(they were all in the NBA at the time) so Turpin went and told a reporter all about it and how angry he was that he didnt get paid when he was at UK too.

 

[Southpaw]

" "In the future everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes."

Andy Warhol

Chris Rainey got his 15 minutes. He's done.

 

[Rivercard]

" "In the future everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes."

Andy Warhol

Chris Rainey got his 15 minutes. He's done.

He might get another 5 minutes ala Maurice Clarett.

 

[Assface]

There are crazy stories coming out of Lakeland county on a weeky basis. I don't know what the hell is wrong with the people who live there.

 

[Southpaw]

There are crazy stories coming out of Lakeland county on a weeky basis. I don't know what the hell is wrong with the people who live there.

If you have ever spent more than 2 hours there, you wouldn't have to ask. I think the phosphate mine residue got into the public water supply.

Many moons ago, the Lakeland Civic Center was the sole venue for many of the big name rock bands on national tour. Just imagine Led Zepp in Mayberry RFD and security being provided by the KKK.