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Confessions of an [NFL] agent (The best piece of sports investigative reporting this year)
Sports Illustrated ^ | 10/18/10 | George Dohrmann

Posted on 10/12/2010 2:19:40 PM PDT by truthandlife

I will never forget the first time I paid a player.

There are moments you will always remember, like your first kiss or your first home run or the day you met your wife. For me, the first time I broke an NCAA rule to try to land a client is just as indelible.

It was before the 1990 football season, and I flew from Los Angeles to Denver and drove to the University of Colorado to try to meet with Kanavis McGhee. He was a big, pass-rushing linebacker who was expected to be a high pick in the 1991 NFL draft. I was 20 years old -- the youngest agent ever certified by the NFL Players Association -- and had less than a year's experience, but for whatever reason I convinced myself that I had a shot with him.

I figured out where Kanavis lived, drove to his apartment and knocked on the door. No one answered, so I waited. About four hours later, Kanavis finally came home and I bum-rushed him at the door.

"Hey, Kanavis, my name is Josh Luchs. I'm a sports agent, and I flew here from Los Angeles specifically for you," I said. "You're a great player and I came a long way, and I'd really appreciate it if you would sit down and talk to me for a few minutes."

(Excerpt) Read more at sportsillustrated.cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; Miscellaneous; US: North Carolina
KEYWORDS: agents; chat; money; nfl; northcarolina; sports; tarheels; unc
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To: wmileo
Have you made your travel reservations to meet Mr. Smith yet and bestow on him your personal congratulations on his recent academic achievement?

Recent? Like what, 15 years ago? And this is relevant to what about the double standard between physical and mental gifts in prospecting for jobs in college?

61 posted on 10/15/2010 6:50:30 PM PDT by triumphant values (Never criticize that to your right.)
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To: Alberta's Child
I don’t see how a professional player’s association like that should have any concern about what a player did before he was a member of the organization — at least in terms of what appears to involve no criminal behavior of any kind.

I wonder what the IRS would say. It's basically money under the table. From this article it sounds like the guy was giving relatively small amounts. But if some agent was giving away cars and such, well, I think the tax man is interested.

62 posted on 10/15/2010 6:53:29 PM PDT by Ditto (Nov 2, 2010 -- Time to Clean House.)
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To: wmileo
My issue is with the so called Amateur Athletes who aspire to become professionals. The way they have learned to use the system to get free stuff is indicative of their lack of character.

While their Division I coaches have fatter pay checks than half the professors combined and the schools collect millions from their TV contracts. I recall Dr. Thomas Starzel at Pitt who pioneered liver transplants that have saved thousands of lives made about 30% of what the head football coach made. I'm a 'market oriented' kind of guy, but something is not right with that. College sports is out of whack because of the big TV revenues.

Even for a 'dumb jock' the hypocracy of big time NCAA sports stands out like a sore thumb. They know they are being used and abused.

63 posted on 10/15/2010 7:06:51 PM PDT by Ditto (Nov 2, 2010 -- Time to Clean House.)
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To: triumphant values
"Recent? Like what, 15 years ago? And this is relevant to what about the double standard between physical and mental gifts in prospecting for jobs in college?"

There is no double standard. The two have nothug to do with each other. Most folks would have figured it out by now. It is relevant in that he felt it was important to have something to show for being in an acedemic institution for a number of years. He unfortunately is the unique exception.

I know that you really wanted to go but I understand. The economy is not what it should be and I hate airports myself.

Then again what is the difference if you go or not? You don't have any respect for the honest achievement of a fellow human being. Why bother loosing teeth over it airline mileage points not withstanding.

64 posted on 10/15/2010 7:18:55 PM PDT by wmileo
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To: wmileo

Ok weirdo, yes that’s it. Emmit Smith is going to assault me for talking down his college degree he got 15 years. Kook.


65 posted on 10/15/2010 7:21:48 PM PDT by triumphant values (Never criticize that to your right.)
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To: wmileo
There is no double standard.

Oh, there most certainly is. But what there isn't on this thread is you answering even the most simple direct question.

66 posted on 10/15/2010 7:23:48 PM PDT by triumphant values (Never criticize that to your right.)
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To: Ditto
Your point is the same as mine. There is something wrong with amateur sports in this country and the world. TV Money is only part of the reason.

I just finished reading a book about Jim Thorpe. The same problems existed when he was playing for Carlisle and Pop Warner was making more money that the rest of the faculty.

The athletes were also getting free stuff as long as they played. Jim Thorpe spent time in that money pit spanning over 9 years. He left after the 1913 season at the age of 25 without earning a degree or certificate. In his entire life he never had the sense of pride as an adult in accomplishing anything outside of sports. That had a lasting effect on him for the remainder of his short life. You just can't go back and blame the system alone. The athlete even back then had to take some responsibility for what happened to them. This has bee going on for a century or more.

67 posted on 10/15/2010 7:34:34 PM PDT by wmileo
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To: triumphant values
"Emmit Smith is going to assault me for talking down his college degree he got 15 years"

He would do no such thing even if you told him that his degree is worthless. It is the fact that you think he would waste his time on you that I find interesting. However, not as interesting as the MLB Playoffs so have a nice flight.

68 posted on 10/15/2010 7:40:24 PM PDT by wmileo
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To: truthandlife

Great article. Thanks for posting it


69 posted on 10/15/2010 7:47:26 PM PDT by downwdims (It does not take a majority to prevail... but rather an irate, tireless minority)
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To: wmileo
"Emmit Smith is going to assault me for talking down his college degree he got 15 years" He would do no such thing even if you told him that his degree is worthless. It is the fact that you think he would waste his time on you that I find interesting.

Hey, you, you're the nut that just wrote this a few posts ago.

Why bother loosing teeth over it airline mileage points not withstanding.

So are you mentally unstable, lying, or senile?

70 posted on 10/15/2010 7:53:26 PM PDT by triumphant values (Never criticize that to your right.)
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To: triumphant values
"I tell people all the time they are wasting their money on the embossed paper selling racket. Now you tell me what is so honorable about buying paper from places that sell paper. "

I am sure all of your many acquaintances appreciate your advice. But the MLB game on TBS is getting even more interesting.

71 posted on 10/15/2010 7:58:06 PM PDT by wmileo
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To: wmileo
But the MLB game on TBS is getting even more interesting.

No thanks, I grew out of watching semi-literate thugs and third worlders chase balls around in my mid 20s.

72 posted on 10/15/2010 8:01:32 PM PDT by triumphant values (Never criticize that to your right.)
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To: triumphant values
Do you mean to tell me that I have been exchanging pleasantries with a mentally unstable mendacious scoundrel who is senile to boot?

But the Game is really getting interesting.

73 posted on 10/15/2010 8:03:00 PM PDT by wmileo
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To: wmileo
No, I really have a problem with the hypocrisy, and double standards applied to athletic pursuits in universities and the prospecting of jobs.

It still doesn't make me want to watch semi-literate thugs and third worlders do those pursuits in my living room.

74 posted on 10/15/2010 8:07:21 PM PDT by triumphant values (Never criticize that to your right.)
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To: triumphant values
"No thanks, I grew out of watching semi-literate thugs and third worlders chase balls around in my mid 20s. "

You shouldn't talk about your friends that way. First you tell them they are wasting there time going to college and now this?

No wonder they haven't talked to you since your mid twenties. What have you been up to all of this time? Not taking Linear Algebra I'll bet.

75 posted on 10/15/2010 8:08:29 PM PDT by wmileo
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To: wmileo

You done spending post after post never even broaching the topic at hand or grasping the most basic line of thought, or are you going to continue to be deliberately obtuse?


76 posted on 10/15/2010 8:13:35 PM PDT by triumphant values (Never criticize that to your right.)
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To: wmileo; Ditto
Your point is the same as mine.

No it's not. Not even in the same galaxy. Ditto's point was about the athletes being used while millions were made around them. That wasn't your point at all. In fact you've yet to articulate a coherent point on this thread. Obviously even you don't know what you're trying to say from post to post or certainly can't keep it straight.

77 posted on 10/15/2010 8:16:50 PM PDT by triumphant values (Never criticize that to your right.)
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To: Ditto
Athletes must take responsibility for what happens to them even in a corrupt system. They are provided with opportunities for success but the education they should be getting is their backup plan in case they don't make it.

The institution is going to make money on them. If they weren't the scolarships would not be offered in the first place. As someone who has paid tuition for three kids in college, I can tell you that my kids appreciate the sacrifices other have made on their behalf to get them an education. But it is up to them to make something of their lives with the education. Amateur Atheltes are responsible for what happens to them. They are being used but they are using the system as well. If they don't use the system to get an education as well as an opportunity to play professional sports, they can't expect to get any sympathy.

78 posted on 10/15/2010 8:50:14 PM PDT by wmileo
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To: triumphant values; Ditto
"You done spending post after post never even broaching the topic at hand or grasping the most basic line of thought, or are you going to continue to be deliberately obtuse?"

I am trying to find something or someone you have not insulted on this thread between students, academics, Emmitt Smith, etc. while watching the best game of the post season so far on TBS.

Not to be. I think I will just watch the game instead.

79 posted on 10/15/2010 8:57:11 PM PDT by wmileo
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To: truthandlife
I heard Mel's silly ass excuse in response to this. He's an idiot- and not a great judge of football talent.

Does anyone know if Mike Williams (the Lions draft pick) had any relationship with Gary? Kiper was all over William's tip in that draft, which made absolutely NO sense.

80 posted on 10/15/2010 9:00:28 PM PDT by rintense
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