The Eric Bledsoe saga continues, but this time, it’s family and friends speaking out. [URL=”http://www.nationofblue.com/new-york-times-reports-ncaa-investigating-bledsoe-1322/”]The New York Times article that was published weeks ago[/URL], stated that Bledsoe’s grades and his high school coach paying his rent were the two main issues. In an article from the Birmingham news, Bledsoe’s family and friends take issue with the rent issue specifically.
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Here’s an excerpt from the al.com….
[QUOTE]Billy Fagnes, who is a first cousin to Bledsoe’s mother, Maureen Reddick, said his family paid most of the rent on the house where Reddick and Bledsoe lived during his senior year at Parker. Also, Jerome McMullin, who described himself as a close family friend, said that although Ford found the family an affordable home, McMullin helped the family pay the rent during some difficult financial times. Ford did not pay any rent, McMullin said.
According to the Alabama High School Athletic Association, a high school coach who pays for a player’s rent would violate its recruiting and amateur rules. By moving to the house at Center Street South, Bledsoe was eligible to play for Parker as a senior. Ford denied paying any money.
[/QUOTE]It’s great to hear Bledsoe’s coach did not pay for his rent, but what about McMullin? I’m sure the UK Haters (National Media Outlets) will be questioning the relationship with McMullin (who I’m praying isn’t an ex-NBA agent).
Here’s what McMullin had to say…
[QUOTE]McMullin, who said he knows Ford well, said Ford found the family a house it could afford in the Parker attendance zone. But Ford did not pay any rent, according to McMullin.
“They went through some hard times and I helped them pay their rent,” said McMullin, adding that he paid a total of about three months of rent. “I took them to get food for them. There’s a lot of things they didn’t have and people stepped up to the plate and helped out. I never asked for anything or any kind of favor. I did it out of the goodness of my heart. Maurice didn’t do anything.”
[/QUOTE]You can [URL=”http://blog.al.com/solomon/2010/07/eric_bledsoe_relative_friend_s.html”]read the complete article here….[/URL]
