Three former North Carolina Tar Heels have been sent “permanent disassociation” letters by their former school for NCAA violations that led to criminal charges against five people for violating a state sports agent law.
The letters prohibit Marvin Austin, Greg Little and Robert Quinn from “contacting current UNC athletes, bar them from the Kenan Football Center or other campus athletic facilities, and prohibit them from providing recruiting for financial assistance for athletics,” the AP reports.
Austin, Little and Quinn missed the 2010 season after accepting improper benefits, including cash and travel accommodations, that led to sanctions against the UNC program.
The school released the letters, dated Nov. 15, after public records requests were filed by media outlets.
Little, a wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns, recognized that his actions have had consequences but said that he will still support the school.
"There's a lot of people that I've hurt, and I think a lot of the blame should be put on me much less than attacking other people. North Carolina's a great university and I wish things weren't the way they were," Little said. "I'll just continue to support them from afar."
UNC also sent letters to four of the five people who were charged in the case: Georgia-based agent Terry Watson, Watson associate Patrick Hones, Watson employee Willie Barley, and Little’s friend Michael Johnson, who is now an employee of (Drew) Rosenhaus Sports Representation, which lists Little as a client.
The fifth person indicted, former UNC tutor Jennifer Wiley Thompson, had already been sent a letter of disassociation.
An investigation by the North Carolina Secretary of State’s office detailed several violations showing Little and Austin “arranging to receive packages of cash through the mail or a third party."
Quinn also "received a package of cash from Watson, sent by Jones."
Little told investigators that he received for then $20,00 from Watson is 2010.
- - -
H/T Associated Press
Want to join the conversation? Hit us up on Twitter @YahooDrSaturday be sure to "Like" Dr. Saturday on Facebook for football conversations and stuff you won't see on the blog.