General

Former Oklahoma State players react to SI: ‘Folks gonna believe what they want’

Sep 10, 2013, 4:36 PM UTC

Reaction to the first piece from Sports Illustrated’s investigative report into the Oklahoma State program from many former players paints a much different picture than the allegations made in the article.

About a half-dozen ex-players called in to a radio show on 107.7 FM in Stillwater to deny this first portion of the story, which alleges that many players were receiving payments under the table.

Former starting quarterback and MLB player Josh Fields was one of the players to call in and take issue with the report. Former offensive lineman Corey Curtis did so as well, and said he used to sit next to Brad Girtman -- one of SI’s sources -- in the locker room and never saw any money being handed out. All of the players who spoke on the show had essentially the same things to say.

The radio show in question is hosted by Sam Mayes, a former OSU offensive lineman, who echoed the sentiments of the players calling in, going so far as to say he’d be willing to take a lie detector test.

Here’s more reaction from former Cowboys:

I held bags and hit bags for four years and EARNED my scholarship just like EVERY person I played with. End of story.
— Evan Epstein (@EvanEpstein60) September 10, 2013

I guess some people have went crazy. That article is straight up bullshit.
— Orie Lemon (@OrieLemon52) September 10, 2013

Folks gonna believe whatever they want. I'm not trying to convince nobody. But I do know while I was in school no one took no extras
— tatum bell (@tspeedtx) September 10, 2013

Man this article is all the way false. Haha. Said Seymore sawe take money haha. From who? From we're ? He was scrub who not doing nothing
— tatum bell (@tspeedtx) September 10, 2013

In all that's going on I don't think it's right to bring up ppl that can't defend the program like Darrent Williams and Vernon grant.
— Isaiah Anderson (@imaFREAK82) September 10, 2013

00-04 I never saw anything like this, and the characters that they chose to interview are shady at best. Miles was such a tight ass, no way
— Ben Buie (@Blackbellybuie) September 10, 2013

Wow. Some of the info I here about this SI article is obnoxious. Trying to burn good people down. #dontbelieveeverythingyouread
— Roger Bombach (@rbosu12) September 9, 2013

Please tell me @thayerevanssi @georgedohrmann how many of those guys had a degree from OK State or were kicked off the team? @Sinow @espn
— Russell Okung (@BDR76) September 10, 2013

This article is a joke. Come on... Former players who were kicked off the team is a credible source? Good try Sports Illustrated. No respect
— Andrew McGee (@Coach_McGee) September 10, 2013

Also in part one were allegations of no-show jobs provided by a local Fellowship of Christian Athletes director named John Talley. Several former players defended Talley via Twitter and said they worked hard for what they were paid.

Lol plus John Talley worked the hell out of us..I went once or twice and never went back I did enough work with Coach Glass on the field
— Ugo Chinasa (@U_GO_C) September 10, 2013

@DerekBurtonJr I can't speak for nobody else but I still got scars from doing work for talley. Dudes are really trippin smh
— Darius Hart (@darius_hart) September 10, 2013

Wow Mick and Rod were right next to me sweeping trash and sweating in the heat on the north side of the stadium
— Jeremiah Burton (@jabfb47) September 10, 2013

I spent 5 years in Stillwater and never experienced any of these allegations... I'm interested to see who they got their information from
— Anton Jamie Blatnick (@JBlatnick) September 10, 2013

How dare they attack John Talley! That man changed so many lives through FCA after practices. Was there for our guys in a very positive way
— Nick York (@CoachNickYork) September 10, 2013

John Talley is an incredible man he was the answer to many of our prayers! He taught us hard work and how to do things the right way!
— Zachary Crissup (@CoachCrissup) September 10, 2013