Bloom’s Plea to Play Football Denied

The NCAA has denied Jeremy Bloom’s request to play football at Colorado while accepting endorsements to support his skiing career.

The decision, which was announced Tuesday, probably means that Bloom’s football career is over unless the NCAA reverses itself on appeal, university spokeswoman Lindsey Babcock said.

Coach Gary Barnett said the university has appealed the decision.

It was not immediately clear when the NCAA would act on the appeal.

Bloom, a world champion freestyle skier, was training with the U.S. Ski Team in Chile. Ski team officials did not immediately return a telephone message.

Bloom, a junior receiver and kick returner, has been battling the NCAA for more than two years over whether he can accept endorsement money as a professional skier and still keep his eligibility to play college football.