FSU and Bowden kick QB McPherson off team
 

I sent a email to an FSU TKE and he said he was kicked off the team for betting on the NC State game, at least thats whats going around campus as the reason. Here is the ESPN article about it.

http://espn.go.com/ncf/news/2002/1125/1466404.html

Re: FSU and Bowden kick QB McPherson off team
 

Okay...on campus today...

Yes, McPherson HAS been kicked off the team. Many crazy allegations are floating around including, but no limited to:

* Chris Rix's father, who is a huge booster, paid off the coaching staff to get rid of McPherson...

* McPherson had gambling debts he needed to pay off...

* It is some huge conspiracy involving the players and attempting to throw certain football games...

For what it is worth, none of these have been proven. But from being on campus today, what I have heard most was that McPherson and other players have been involved in gambling.

Before this whole scandal, and when Rix was still the starter, there were rumors of players purposely dropping passes, and doing other things to cause deliberate errors on the field.

Who knows? All I know is they totally suck for my senior year. Sigh. :(

Bowden has lost control of the team is what it looks like. Reminds me of MSU.

McPherson surrenders to police
 

McPherson surrenders to police

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Associated Press


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State quarterback Adrian McPherson was arrested Wednesday on charges of stealing a blank check and receiving nearly $3,500 after it was cashed.

McPherson, kicked off the team Monday by coach Bobby Bowden, surrendered to police and was released about 45 minutes later after posting bail.

"Mr. McPherson has come here, bonded out and will have his day in court,'' said Daryl Parks, one of McPherson's lawyers.

McPherson started the last four games for Florida State, going 3-1. The 23rd-ranked Seminoles host No. 15 Florida on Saturday.

The sophomore was charged with misdemeanor theft for stealing a blank check from R&R Truck Accessories in Tallahassee and felony grand theft for receiving stolen goods after the check was cashed.

A McPherson friend, Melvin Capers Jr., was arrested this week and charged with grand theft and passing a forged check. He was released on bail Monday.

Police said Capers cashed a $3,500 check and gave the money to McPherson, who then gave his friend $30 "to get something to eat.''

Scott Hunt, spokesman for the Tallahassee Police Department, described Capers as "very cooperative'' and told police "everything that we needed to know.''

Hunt said police worried Wednesday that McPherson might fail to show up since his St. Petersburg attorney, Grady Irvin Jr., kept delaying his arrival time.

"Since this first broke, the attorney was in contact with us and we said "present your client, let's talk to him,''' said Hunt. "And everytime we turn on the television we see him holding a press conference and answering questions but he wasn't answering questions from us.''

Bowden, who has been known to be lenient on his players, has drawn some criticism for his decision, but he said it was ultimately a matter of trust between him and McPherson.


"The thing I've always told my players is don't lie to me because I don't lie to you,'' Bowden said. "Once you lie to someone you lose their trust. So you just got to hope that all your boys are honest with you and I've tried to always be honest with them.


"When that's broken it comes down to 'Who are you gonna believe?'''

On Tuesday, McPherson admitted involvement in the theft of the check but said he did not cash it or receive money from it. He signed a statement Wednesday claiming he did not receive any money and tried to persuade Capers to return the money if he had cashed the check.

Also Tuesday, McPherson blasted Florida State coaches for failing to gather all the facts before suspending him.

"I think they should have found out everything that went on before they kicked me off the team,'' McPherson said, adding that he never would play for the Seminoles again.

"How could I go on the field and give my all for someone who turned their back on me?'' he asked.

McPherson's attorney said the player wanted to dispel rumors that he bet on football games and owed gambling debts.

Florida State athletic director David Hart issued a statement Wednesday saying he questioned McPherson on gambling issues in response to rumors of gambling or point shaving.

"To that end, I asked questions that needed to be asked,'' Hart said. "There were no accusations, simply questions.''