Tatum Bell just said on @sportsanimal that no one from SI contacted him about the story.
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) September 10, 2013
This Sports Illustrated story on the Oklahoma State Cowboys has been much anticipated, but now that it has been released there are some serious discrepancies and Sports Illustrated is taking a lot of flack for it.
SI claims in its article that Tatum Bell denied to them he got illicit payments.
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) September 10, 2013
That’s a pretty big issue if a player is saying that he was never interviewed when he is mentioned/quoted in the article. There could be some serious fallout for SI after this.
There are other players also denying ever having seen anything such as what is being reported in the story.
Former OSU QB Josh Fields tells @ESPN: "I'm in disbelief. Never had anyone attempt to give me money or saw teammates accept money"
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) September 10, 2013
Former Oklahoma State OT Russell Okung, 2010 1st rounder, said he never received or was offered $ and never saw anyone accept $ from 06-09.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) September 10, 2013
Here’s what T. Boone Pickens tweeted after the report surfaced:
.@SInow Disappointing in your reporting. Never asked one important question: What’s happening at #OKState today? http://t.co/MjMF1X67nU
— T. Boone Pickens (@boonepickens) September 10, 2013
Former player Rodrick Johnson wrote this on his Facebook page:
Buckle up, SI.