Schembechler Criticizes NFL’s Supplemental Draft

Michigan Coach Bo Schembechler accused the National Football League of undermining the integrity of professional and college football by agreeing to a supplemental draft for two college players declared ineligible because of their involvement in the players agents scandal.

Schembechler, speaking Friday during the Wolverines’ annual media day, deplored the special Aug. 28 draft that will include Ohio State’s Cris Carter, ruled ineligible for his senior season because he accepted money from an agent.

The draft will include Pittsburgh running back Charles Gladman, ruled ineligible for not cooperating in an investigation of agents.

“So what the NFL has done, in essence, is say that anybody in college football who robs, steals, cheats, commits murder, rape or whatever it is, the National Football League will have a supplemental draft so that they can take them into the professional league,” Schembechler said. “So they’ve kind of damaged their integrity a little bit, as well.

“It comes at a bad time. College football, as you know, has been under the microscope by administrators the past year or so. I think all of us are trying to do all we can to establish the integrity of college athletics.

“We think it’s important. We think academic integrity is important, as well.”

NFL spokesman Joe Browne called Schembechler’s remarks “a cheap shot,” adding: “NCAA rules say a college player becomes a professional when he signs with an agent. That’s their rule, not ours.”

Instead of criticizing the NFL, he said coaches should “speak to the NCAA and get them to change . . . unrealistic rules regarding their definition of a professional.”

The supplemental draft was also attacked by the National Assn. of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

“It is incomprehensible to us that the NFL has played into the hands of the player agents,” said Don Canham, chairman of the association’s Division I-A group.

Schembechler said: “The real problem, in my judgment, is that there is no communication between the hierarchy in the NFL and the NCAA and the American Football Coaches Association. I would suggest that (NFL Commissioner) Pete Rozelle get the hell out of his ivory tower and come down and talk with the coaches and the NCAA and find out what kind of solution we can work out.”