Gene Jelks, a former Alabama running back...

Gene Jelks, a former Alabama running back who claimed he received a signing bonus and other benefits to play for the Crimson Tide, says a businessman in his hometown co-signed a $13,000 loan during his senior season, an Atlanta newspaper reported.

Jelks also told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that businessman Harold Simmons of Gadsden, Ala., paid two other former Alabama players to appear as grand marshals in a 1991 Christmas parade.

That is Jelks’ first allegations of possible wrongdoing involving Alabama players since the arrival of Coach Gene Stallings and his staff in 1990. Jelks’ previous claims involved the period between his recruitment in 1984 and the end of his college career in 1989.

University officials have declined comment, saying only that they have reviewed Jelks’ allegations and will “handle them in the proper manner” through the NCAA.

Jelks and his attorney told NCAA investigators that Simmons co-signed a bank loan in 1989, with Jelks using the money to purchase personal injury insurance from Lloyd’s of London.

Simmons denied co-signing the loan, which could be a violation of NCAA rules.