While most former college football players who admit to taking money while playing would be catching a lot of heat, this time a lot of the attention is on someone who criticized a guy for doing that on Twitter. Former University of Tennessee running back Arian Foster admitted to taking money in college on Friday. The Texans player said that he took the money because he was completely broke, and the admission prompted ESPN analyst Dick Vitale to compare Foster to a prostitute on Twitter.
The Admission
Foster told Sports Illustrated that he took money “on the side” to help with rent and grocery expenses during college.
“I don’t know if this will throw us into an NCAA investigation–my senior year, I was getting money on the side,” said Foster. “I really didn’t have any money. I had to either pay the rent or buy some food. I remember the feeling of like, ‘Man, be careful.’ But there’s nothing wrong with it. And you’re not going to convince me that there is something wrong with it. There were plenty of times where throughout the month I didn’t have enough for food.”
Foster, who was coached by Phil Fulmer while at Tennessee, says that he thinks student athletes should be paid for their work. “There was a point where we had no food, no money, so I called my coach and I said, ‘Coach, we don’t have no food. We don’t have no money. We’re hungry.’…He came down and he brought like 50 tacos for like four or five of us. Which is an NCAA violation. The next day I walk up to the facility and I see my coach pull up in a brand new Lexus. Beautiful,” Foster said. “I’m a firm believer that an employee should get paid for his work. And, 100 percent, I see student athletes as employees.”
Should college football players be paid a stipend, considering how much money the university and coaches are making? Add your comments below.
The Twitter Drama
Foster’s admission prompted sports analyst Dick Vitale to compare him to a “prostitute” on Twitter, which made for a lot of entertaining back-and-forth comments over the weekend.
@GreggDoyelCBS When they put their hand out like a prostitute & take it they don't say a word – moaning yrs later = SAD!
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) September 20, 2013
Vitale’s comment was met with a lot of backlash, especially after he referred to what Foster did as illegal.
@allennail What does me getting paid 4 doing a legit job have to with illegal cash being given out
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) September 21, 2013
@DickieV @allennail "taking cash illegally" They are not taking anything ILLEGALLY, they are taking it against NCAA rules, not legal rules!
— Eric (@ribsauce) September 21, 2013
@DickieV I don't care. The tenor of your anger at YOUNG MEN says much about your character
— Contrl the narrative (@_bigchee) September 21, 2013
The comments continued, with Vitale getting more irate for the criticism he received for calling Arian Foster a prostitute. Interestingly enough, Vitale’s Twitter comments came while he said he was in the Bahamas on a family vacation.
@Drunk_Canuck U r a very bitter unhappy dude get a life – let's match resumes my friend – I will start – 12 Hall of Fames – Ur turn
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) September 21, 2013
@not2sandy Thnms 4 ur clever 2nd grade comments – Get a life
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) September 21, 2013
@_bigchee That is absurd-rules r rules-he broke the rules once he put his hand out & took the cash 4 his services – would like rules changed
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) September 21, 2013
After receiving hundreds of criticizing comments from Twitter users, who Vitale eventually threatened to block if they couldn’t disagree with him nicely, the ESPN sports analyst finally offered up an apology.
I apologize if it offended u that I used prostitute 4 athletes taking cash @marcisenberg made a gr8 point about NCAA rules @ term illegal
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) September 21, 2013
Heads up athletes–if you’re going to admit you broke NCAA rules and took money, make sure Dick Vitale gets wind of it.