Calvin Mickens, a cornerback who was dismissed in 2007 for a violation of team rules, said, “(Against) teams we knew we were going to roll, a couple of guys would get high." AP FILE PHOTO
The theme of the day was drugs when Sports Illustrated unveiled part three in a five-part special investigative report into the Oklahoma State football program.
SI’s cover story this week is titled “The Dirty Game” and it details alleged improprieties that occurred during OSU’s rise from mediocrity to nationally prominent program. Parts one and two of a five-part series centered on money and academics.
In the “drug” chapter, SI alleges that widespread marijuana use by players -- and even drug-dealing by players -- went largely unexamined, unchecked and untreated.
Donnell Williams, a linebacker in 2006, told SI that “drugs were everywhere.” Williams said he didn’t use drugs, but observed other players who did.
SI cited 30 players who said they used marijuana from 2001-11 and SI said players indicated it was “common” for some Cowboys to smoke marijuana before games.
Calvin Mickens, a cornerback who was dismissed in 2007 for a violation of team rules, said, “(Against) teams we knew we were going to roll, a couple of guys would get high. Some of the guys (it) didn’t matter what game it was, they were going to get high.”
Responded former defensive lineman Ugo Chinasa on Twitter: “How (do) we smoke weed before games when we were locked down nights before games in the hotel with police around on same floor as us?”
Herschel Sims, a running back who was dismissed in 2012 after allegations of stealing from a teammate led to him pleading guilty to two-second degree counts of second-degree forgery, said so many people were smoking marijuana regularly during a 2011 Fiesta Bowl season that if the school had suspended players who had the drug in the system that “we probably would have lost about 15-20 people who actually played.”
OSU indicated to SI that 18 of the team’s 100-plus players were randomly tested by the NCAA before the game. The result was a positive test and a suspension.
SI alleges that OSU had one of college football’s most lenient drug policies and still abused it.
The magazine alleges that frequent positive tests by stars were ignored while “lesser players were suspended or kicked off the team.”
SI said three former players admitted they dealt marijuana during the 2001, 2004 and 2006 seasons.
SI said players from seven other seasons between 2011 and 2012 were accused by teammates of dealing and one, former receiver Bo Bowling, was accused by police of dealing.
Bowling was allowed to rejoin the team in 2010 after a getting a one-year deferred sentence in regard to charges of possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. He was ordered to serve a 30-day sentence in the Payne County jail and was released after two weeks. He also completed a counseling program before being reinstated to the team.
“When (the Bowling matter) came across my desk, I sat down and talked with Bo,” athletic director Mike Holder said in 2010. “I wanted to get a good feel for how contrite he was and how committed he was to doing better in the future.”
Holder said he made Bowling agree to certain terms.
“Once he agreed to those, and I felt good about his intentions, then I turned it over to coach Gundy and let him make the final call.”
In a statement released by OSU at the time, Gundy said, “We expect (Bowling) to demonstrate the high level of maturity and character that we demand from everyone on the team.”
Bowling finished his career without incident.
Former defensive end William Bell, dismissed from the team following his only season, told SI he sold marijuana and methamphetamine while at OSU, making $300 or $400 a week on weed alone.
“I kept Bennett Hall hot,” he was quoted as saying.
Former defensive back Thomas Wright (dismissed from the team after playing in 2004) said he and other players snorted cocaine. Former defensive tackle Larry Brown also was quoted as saying he saw cocaine use.
SI questioned the qualifications of Joel Tudman, who multitasks as a counselor, team chaplain and strength and conditioning coach. SI alleged that he advised players on how to continue using marijuana. He denies that and said his job is to make sure “drug use has to decline and stop.”
Former running back Dexter Pratt flunked drug tests while at OSU and, according to the SI story, left over a lack of playing time. He was twice arrested in Texas for possession of marijuana and spent six months in prison, according to SI.
Also, according to university records obtained by ESPN, Pratt took three online courses and two actual classes. He told SI that in his first semester, in 2009, every course he took was online.
“Everybody thinks marijuana isn’t a bad drug, but it really has destroyed my life,” Pratt is quoted as saying. “When I was (at Oklahoma State) I wouldn’t have said it was an addiction, but it was. ... It would have helped to have some real counseling.”
The series will continue with part four (topic: sex) on Friday and conclude with part five (the fallout) on Tuesday.
Jimmie Tramel blog
Former OSU quarterback Aso Pogi talks about his interview with Sports Illustrated.
OSU football investigation
On Monday, Oklahoma State announced the hiring of Charles E. Smrt to lead an independent review of alleged misconduct in the OSU football program.
In the final chapter of "The Dirty Game," Sports Illustrated said so many players have been jettisoned from the Oklahoma State football program and wound up in bad situations that this question should be asked: "How much did the program really care?"
