Texts from Laremy Tunsil to an Ole Miss coach asking for money to help pay a parent’s bill have been confirmed as real by the school.
Two weeks ago, things did not go as planned for former Ole Miss Rebels star offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil as he waited to get selected in the NFL draft. A video showing him smoking out of a bong attached to a gas mask was released on social media just before the draft began, causing Tunsil to drop from a projected spot in the top six picks to 13th overall, where he was taken by the Miami Dolphins.
Shortly after that selection, Tunsil caused more waves when he said that he did ask coaches and officials at Ole Miss for money during his time at the school. The revelation came after text messages showing an alleged conversation between the player and one of his coaches also found there way onto social media.
Now, the university is confirming that the conversation did take place between the player and a coach who reportedly had major involvement in recruiting players to the school, according to ESPN:
"In the conversations, which supposedly occurred in February and April 2015, Tunsil asked Ole Miss assistant athletic director John Miller for money to pay rent and his mother’s $305 utility bill. Miller responds to Tunsil’s request by replying, “See Barney next week,” an apparent reference to Ole Miss assistant athletic director for high school and junior college relations Barney Farrar.Farrar told ESPN’s Joe Schad last month that he has not given Tunsil money and that Tunsil did not ask him for money."
Ole Miss, which is currently under NCAA investigation for a variety of potential violations that have occurred within the football program as well as other sports, is now investigating to see if the text messages were altered in any way online from what was originally sent.
Tunsil was considered to be one of the top overall players in the 2016 NFL Draft after a three year career with the Rebels. He missed over half of his junior year in 2015 while the NCAA and the school investigated alleged illegal benefits that Tunsil received. He was reinstated after paying back several loans and was suspended an additional game.
Tunsil is also reportedly being sued by his stepfather, one year after the two were involved in an altercation outside the home of his mother. Tunsil said he was defending his mother against the man, while his stepfather said the fight was over Tunsil’s involvement with agents.
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