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Not to HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Lakeland star faces FHSAA scrutinyThe high school sports body is investigating Lakeland senior running back Chris Rainey for allegedly accepting gifts.
BY JOSEPH GOODMAN
[email protected]
DAVID MILLS/LAKELAND LEDGER
UNDER INVESTIGATION: Lakeland running back Chris Rainey told The Miami Herald he received sports jerseys and jewelry from a Lakeland clothing vendor and cash from an unknown elderly woman.
Audio | Interview with Chris Rainey
Document | Transcript of interview with Chris Rainey
Document | FHSAA's letter to Herald sports editor Jorge Rojas
The only game in town
A Lakeland High School football player is under investigation for allegedly accepting gifts that could violate rules of amateurism, according to the Florida High School Athletic Association.
Chris Rainey, Lakeland's star senior running back, told The Miami Herald he received sports jerseys and jewelry from a Lakeland clothing vendor in exchange for an autograph. He also said he received cash from an unknown elderly woman.
''I didn't even count it,'' Rainey said in a story published Tuesday. 'When I walk around, people are buying me food, giving me money. I'm like, `Damn, I'm glad I'm Chris Rainey. It's real nice to be me.' ''
Bylaw 11.9.1 of the FHSAA rules handbook states that ``a student may not participate in an athletic activity of the Association unless he/she is an amateur. A student who has accepted remuneration, gift or donation for participation in a sport . . . is thereafter disqualified for further participation in that sport in high school for a period of one year.''
Lakeland (14-0), ranked No. 1 in the nation in some polls, plays Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (12-1) on Friday at Dolphin Stadium in the FHSAA's Class 5A state championship. Lakeland is a two-time defending Class 5A state champion.
FHSAA Commissioner John Stewart contacted Miami Herald executive sports editor Jorge Rojas on Tuesday morning to verify the authenticity of comments made by Rainey.
''We stand by the reporting in the story,'' Rojas said. ``It's all on tape.''
In a letter sent to The Miami Herald, Stewart said, ``This office is notifying Lakeland High School that the FHSAA is beginning a formal investigation into this matter.''
He later said, ``We're looking at it and talking to Lakeland people to see what is going on . . . We have to prove that [Rainey] accepted gifts. It's going to be his word against the reporter's.''
Lakeland athletic director Sid Kimbrell confirmed Tuesday that the FHSAA contacted Lakeland about possible rules violations.
''We're looking into it, and that's all the comment I want to make on it,'' Kimbrell said.
The FHSAA has not set a timetable for the investigation and FHSAA director of communications Jack Watford said Tuesday that Friday's 5A championship game ``will be played.''
According to Watford, Lakeland has been given 48 hours to conduct its own investigation. Bill Grey, an investigation consultant for the FHSAA, is traveling to Lakeland today to begin the state's formal inquiry.
''I don't think we're going to have to have this done in any certain amount of time,'' Watford said. ``We have not spoken to [Rainey], but I'm guessing that's going to happen [today].''
Attempts were made Tuesday to contact Rainey, Lakeland football coach Bill Castle and Lakeland principal Mark Thomas. Phone messages were not returned.
Bill Marshall, owner of Marshall Jewelers in Lakeland and a former Lakeland booster club president, was shocked to learn Tuesday that Rainey said he accepted gifts.
''If Chris did it, then we may end up as a team having to forfeit all of the games Chris played in,'' Marshall said. ``I can't imagine any business here doing that and wanting to stay in business.
'No one will cross that business' threshold after this thing comes out. Lakeland is nothing like Miami. A business won't survive here that does that,'' he said.
Rainey, a University of Florida commitment, is one of the top running back prospects in the nation. His status for Friday is unknown.
He rushed for 326 yards on 22 carries and scored on touchdown runs of 72, 92 and 57 yards last week in the Dreadnaughts' 35-24 semifinal win against Daytona Beach Mainland.
What a bright kid.....
Lakeland star faces FHSAA scrutinyThe high school sports body is investigating Lakeland senior running back Chris Rainey for allegedly accepting gifts.
BY JOSEPH GOODMAN
[email protected]
DAVID MILLS/LAKELAND LEDGER
UNDER INVESTIGATION: Lakeland running back Chris Rainey told The Miami Herald he received sports jerseys and jewelry from a Lakeland clothing vendor and cash from an unknown elderly woman.
Audio | Interview with Chris Rainey
Document | Transcript of interview with Chris Rainey
Document | FHSAA's letter to Herald sports editor Jorge Rojas
The only game in town
A Lakeland High School football player is under investigation for allegedly accepting gifts that could violate rules of amateurism, according to the Florida High School Athletic Association.
Chris Rainey, Lakeland's star senior running back, told The Miami Herald he received sports jerseys and jewelry from a Lakeland clothing vendor in exchange for an autograph. He also said he received cash from an unknown elderly woman.
''I didn't even count it,'' Rainey said in a story published Tuesday. 'When I walk around, people are buying me food, giving me money. I'm like, `Damn, I'm glad I'm Chris Rainey. It's real nice to be me.' ''
Bylaw 11.9.1 of the FHSAA rules handbook states that ``a student may not participate in an athletic activity of the Association unless he/she is an amateur. A student who has accepted remuneration, gift or donation for participation in a sport . . . is thereafter disqualified for further participation in that sport in high school for a period of one year.''
Lakeland (14-0), ranked No. 1 in the nation in some polls, plays Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (12-1) on Friday at Dolphin Stadium in the FHSAA's Class 5A state championship. Lakeland is a two-time defending Class 5A state champion.
FHSAA Commissioner John Stewart contacted Miami Herald executive sports editor Jorge Rojas on Tuesday morning to verify the authenticity of comments made by Rainey.
''We stand by the reporting in the story,'' Rojas said. ``It's all on tape.''
In a letter sent to The Miami Herald, Stewart said, ``This office is notifying Lakeland High School that the FHSAA is beginning a formal investigation into this matter.''
He later said, ``We're looking at it and talking to Lakeland people to see what is going on . . . We have to prove that [Rainey] accepted gifts. It's going to be his word against the reporter's.''
Lakeland athletic director Sid Kimbrell confirmed Tuesday that the FHSAA contacted Lakeland about possible rules violations.
''We're looking into it, and that's all the comment I want to make on it,'' Kimbrell said.
The FHSAA has not set a timetable for the investigation and FHSAA director of communications Jack Watford said Tuesday that Friday's 5A championship game ``will be played.''
According to Watford, Lakeland has been given 48 hours to conduct its own investigation. Bill Grey, an investigation consultant for the FHSAA, is traveling to Lakeland today to begin the state's formal inquiry.
''I don't think we're going to have to have this done in any certain amount of time,'' Watford said. ``We have not spoken to [Rainey], but I'm guessing that's going to happen [today].''
Attempts were made Tuesday to contact Rainey, Lakeland football coach Bill Castle and Lakeland principal Mark Thomas. Phone messages were not returned.
Bill Marshall, owner of Marshall Jewelers in Lakeland and a former Lakeland booster club president, was shocked to learn Tuesday that Rainey said he accepted gifts.
''If Chris did it, then we may end up as a team having to forfeit all of the games Chris played in,'' Marshall said. ``I can't imagine any business here doing that and wanting to stay in business.
'No one will cross that business' threshold after this thing comes out. Lakeland is nothing like Miami. A business won't survive here that does that,'' he said.
Rainey, a University of Florida commitment, is one of the top running back prospects in the nation. His status for Friday is unknown.
He rushed for 326 yards on 22 carries and scored on touchdown runs of 72, 92 and 57 yards last week in the Dreadnaughts' 35-24 semifinal win against Daytona Beach Mainland.
What a bright kid.....
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