SMU - ESPN 30 for 30

[huskerscott]

What sickens me is that Craig James went to one of the most corrupt schools in NCAA history, then gets a gig on ESPN where he's praised as this great star all the time. The guy was crooked, and just as guilty as anyone else. He didn't got to SMU out of the kindness of his heart, and he didn't magically pick them over other schools because they offered him nothing. Then to see him have the influence of the microphone on ESPN, and to wield that influence with his son at Texas Tech just further shows that he hasn't changed. The guy is bad for college football, and I can't wait to see him get nailed in Leach's lawsuit.

 

 

You know the funny part about James Knappy....He says he went to SMU because of his then girlfriend (now wife) who was enrolled there. He acts above the whole scandal and even said he has misgivings about SMU because he thought they bought E.D. He said he only signed after he was assured that was not the case. He even throws Alabama under the bus about how they tried to buy him and get his girlfriend to transfer. All that sounds plausible and believable considering that even when the death penalty was given after the repeat violations and second major while on major probation, that there were only 15-20 kids that were involved out of the 80+ on the team. Maybe James was not involved...

 

However there are a few things that stood out to me. James has never denied taking money; he has only denied taking money from the SMU administration. Even wrote it that way in his book, Game Day. "Now, I’m not going to sit here and tell you I never received a nickel during my playing days. But I can say with certainty that no benefits were ever extended to me from anyone associated with the SMU administration."

 

He then goes on to defending the boosters for their hearts and love of SMU. Funny also is that James's off season job was at the real estate office of the one and only Sherwood Blount when he was out of school. The head man for the slush funds and main player in the pay to play scandal. Also curious is that the same Sherwood became James's agent in his career after graduation from college.

 

Although there is no proof that he did take money, all the signs point to guilty. The open ended quotes (not from administration, but what about boosters Craig??) & even the non denial of taking money. Add in the personal and business relationship with the man some say is the reason for the infractions and death penalty and I believe you have guilty man sitting there acting innocent.

 

Dang Fro, you did your homework! I was actually surprised that James and Eric both gave such "innocent" accounts about their time there, just got the sinking feeling while watching that show was that "we got away with it, so we can rub it in" from those two.

 

I feel ya on that one. I do think Eric just wont say. He talks about it and then just says "if I did, or didn't". I think its clear he did, but doesnt speak about it. As for James, he acts above it, thats what chaps me. He does absolutly have the "got away with it" look written all over him.

 

Really SMU was made an example of. So many schools were doing the same things and a number got in trouble. I bet you nearly every single school in our area did it also. I know that I heard rumors of Tony VanZant driving a fancy new car around Mizzou after he commited in 86. The number 1 player in the country and a Missouri HS player signed with the Tigers who had 1 win the year before. (too bad his knee exploded before every playing a down a Mizzou) I dont know if that was true or not about TVZ, but SMU was not the only one, thats for sure. They probably were however, the only ones to get in trouble for it 3 times in 5 years though. LOL

 

 

Yeah everybody was doing it in the 80's. I wouldnt have been surprised if Nebraska did it, too. Eric came off as a guilty SOB in the show. Since it was on ESPN they prob didnt want to find anything out about James or it would make them look bad. Blount was the cash cow considering James worked for him and how Blount refused to be interviewed for the show, I guess you make James come off as innocent.

 

I enjoy watching these shows, but somehow somebody in each of these movies is tied to ESPN or is real popular figure(maybe its just me). Most of time at the end, Im saying "I want more" because it seems they only dug about half deep.

[Notre Dame Joe]

I have watched the first hour and 1/2 and will finish it tonight. I have thought the movie has been really good. I do find the arrogance of some of the SMU folks a little bit overwhelming. They cause a program to be shut down completely, and for most of them, they never felt the effects.

 

I would also high recommend watching the movie on "the U". It was also a nice piece.

 

They should be watched together and have the talking heads explain why which one got the death penalty.

[UGAHusker]

I don't care what anyone else says. After watching that documentary, I wish I had gone to a SWC school (preferably one of the ones in Dallas and not TT or Baylor) during the late 70s, or early 80s. Looked really fun.

[redout22]

I thought the special was pretty sweet. If only Beebe wasnt in it.. I woulod have really liked to see Sherwood Blount get interviewed but can defintely see why he wasnt. One of the best 30 for 30's I have seen.