The owner of a Miami-area exotic rental car agency told the Miami Herald in a statement that he never rented any of his vehicles to Jermaine Grace and Al-Quadin Muhammed after those two defensive stars were kicked off the ‘Canes after a university investigation found those players violated NCAA rules.
There’s much more in the full statement -- which you can read here on the Miami Herald’s website -- but Juan Cabellero, the owner of South Beach Exotic Rentals, said: “There has never been a single incident where a player has received preferential treatment or anything of value for free.”
Cabellero said Grace’s uncle and Muhammed’s cousin both rented cars at full price from his agency, and added it’s common practice for Miami students to come by his company to check out what’s available and test drive cars.
First-year Miami coach Mark Richt said in a radio appearance over the weekend said it was “sad” his program dismissed both players, but: “It got to the end of the line and a decision had to be made.”
Miami opens the season Saturday against Florida A&M.