Cash Rewards Paid to Hurricane Players, Report Says

Some former University of Miami football players say they were offered cash for making big plays in key games from a fund partly bankrolled by players who had gone on to the NFL, the Miami Herald reported.

The former Hurricane players say the cash rewards, in violation of college football rules, included up to $500 for a touchdown, the newspaper said.

The Herald, which interviewed more than 40 former players in a two-month investigation, said the game-day bounties are among NCAA violations that occurred primarily between 1986 and 1992, a period during which Miami won three national titles.

Some of the money was paid by 2 Live Crew rapper and Hurricane fan Luther Campbell, the newspaper said. Campbell denied he ever paid for plays.

“They interviewed me about that football scandal,” Campbell told the Associated Press. “I told them I denied everything. All the allegations they made. Paying people off to make touchdowns and big hits and all that. I don’t know nothing about that.”

Jimmy Johnson, who coached the Hurricanes through 1988, had no comment. Dennis Erickson, who took over from Johnson, said he didn’t know of any infractions.

Three players described Campbell’s alleged pay scale to the Herald: $50 for a caused fumble or a fumble recovery, $100 for a sack, a block that flattens an opponent, an interception or a touchdown, and $200 for an interception returned for a touchdown.

But if the Hurricanes lost, no money was paid.

Former players said it was no secret graduates were giving money to athletes still in school.

Former defensive tackle Jimmie Jones (1986-89) said some former players also contributed to the “big-hit-pool,” which could grow to $800 per game. Active Hurricanes would put $5 to $10 into a kitty that former players would match.

A particularly large pot came in 1989 against unbeaten Notre Dame. The player who knocked receiver Rocket Ismail out of the game would receive $1,000. Quarterback Tony Rice was worth $1,500. Both lasted the game.