Several former Tennessee football and basketball players...

Several former Tennessee football and basketball players said they received money from boosters during college or knew of other players who did. Knoxville newspapers reported they were told by former Volunteer athletes that many players made extra money by selling complimentary game tickets for up to $200 a ticket.

The Knoxville Journal said it surveyed 20 former Tennessee football and basketball players and that 15 said they received gifts or money or knew of teammates who had.

The newspaper quoted former football player Reggie White and former basketball player Willie Burton as saying they received money while playing at Tennessee.

White, now with the Philadelphia Eagles, said there were boosters whom athletes knew they could ask for a few bucks.

“They would help the players who couldn’t get jobs or work while they were in school with meal money,” White said. “If I got anything on the side, it wasn’t the alumni coming to me. I would ask for it.”

Knoxville newspapers have been filled with reports of alleged NCAA violations within the Tennessee athletic program since the city police department disclosed that a gasoline credit card belonging to a booster was found in the car of quarterback Tony Robinson, accused of selling cocaine.