Perhaps not so surprisingly, those tied to a story about SEC players accepting impermissible benefits has stirred a bit of controversy. Nobody wants to be tied to controversy of course, so it is also not a surprise those indicted in the report are either not focusing on the story right now or coming out and telling a different side of the story.
John Phillips is one of the agents reported to have been connected to former Alabama player Luther Davis, who allegedly served as a middleman between agents and a handful of college football players around the SEC. Phillips has a bit of a sketchy background, having admitted to editing a video of Gus Malzahn‘s wife in 2011. Phillips has stated his quotes used in the story were taken out of context. He also released a statement suggesting the information in the report is “erroneous and out of context.”
The following statement was first shared by AL.com.I have cooperated and will continue to cooperate with those wanting information about any former relationship with Luther Davis to my days, largely back in 2009, as an NFL Contract Advisor. I will not be commenting to media until any such investigation concludes so as not to interfere with any such investigation. I spoke to Alabama in May about some of these issues and continue to. I have also presented some of it to the NFLPA.
I find the report to be erroneous and out of context. The writer of the story chose not return my call from September 10, choosing to go to press without getting further comment from me. We live in an age of reckless reporting and media wanting to put justice or facts aside for a quick, hasty story. It’s unfortunate.
Luther and I worked on a book in which I interviewed 14 former members of Alabama football teams about a host of issues. That book is in the editing process, as I have over 60 hours of recordings and books of notes. It truly changed the way I think about amateur athletics. My office has also issued cash or checks to Javier Arenas, Baron Huber, Cory Reamer, Brandon Deaderick, Brian Selman, Leigh Tiffin, Terry Grant, Michael Johnson, Preston Dial, Eryk Anders and others- all post eligibility.
DJ Fluker has never, in any way, been compensated by me. I am no longer a NFL Agent. I have not had a player signed to a NFL contract in years. Seeing chaplains asking for money, assistant coaches asking for money through representatives, and the like, quickly ruined any delusions I had that there was room for me in the business.
I have no further comment. Please respect that and know I am and will do everything I can to cooperate with any investigation.
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