Suspended Florida State Player Says Florida Boosters May Have Set Him Up

A Florida State wide receiver, declared ineligible for the Gator Bowl game against Oklahoma State Dec. 30 because he sold complimentary tickets, said he may have been set up by boosters of arch-rival Florida who wanted to embarrass the Seminoles.

Senior Hassan Jones, Florida State’s leading receiver, said he was acting as a go-between when he sold 12 tickets to last month’s Florida State-Florida game for $100 each. He said he did it as a favor to Robin Fisher, a former Florida player now in real estate.

“From other information I’ve gotten, I think there’s a possibility I’ve been set up,” Jones told the Tampa Tribune. “I know this is going to put a damper on me, but it’s not indicative of me.”

Players are allowed only four complimentary tickets to each game, but Jones said he obtained more through three teammates. He refused to identify the teammates but said profits were to be returned to the other players.

WCTV-TV in Tallahassee reported that the other three players were senior tackle Issac Williams, sophomore linebacker John Eaford and freshman tackle Anthony Johnson.

Fisher denied that Jones had been set up.

“Basically what he said was true. I did buy some tickets from him for my clients,” Fisher said. “I’d rather not say how many. I didn’t set him up. I’m really sorry about the whole thing.”

Hootie Ingram, Florida State athletic director, said he got an anonymous tip last week about the ticket sales, and the tip led him to Jones.