Ramsey Accused of Using Tapes as Leverage
Auburn player Eric Ramsey threatened to blow the whistle on the athletic department nearly two years ago when he was accused of cheating in class. And a former Auburn sociology teacher said Ramsey discussed using secretly recorded conversations with coaches and boosters as “leverage” to help the teacher get his job back.
The Montgomery Advertiser reported both educators’ comments Saturday, on the eve of Ramsey’s appearance on the CBS program “60 Minutes,” where he will play tape recordings he made secretly during meetings with coaches and boosters. Ramsey has said that during those meetings he received cash and gifts in violation of NCAA regulations.
Psychology professor Robert W. Schaeffer said students in his class turned in Ramsey for cheating on a test in 1989. But Schaeffer said the vice president for academic affairs dropped the charge against Ramsey after the player mentioned alleged wrongdoing in the football program.
In May of 1991, Ramsey learned that a sociology teacher he liked, Allen Shelton, did not get his contract renewed.
Ramsey could not be reached for comment.
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