Craig James Admits He Took ‘Insignificant’ Gifts from Boosters at SMU

Craig James, widely acknowledged as one of the most disliked broadcasters in sports, is well known for being one of the stars of SMU’s infamous team that received the death penalty (the death penalty came a few years after he graduated). James has begun a career in politics and he’s running for senator in Texas. As part of the race, he faced questions about his rule-breaking past at SMU.

Asked at a news conference whether he’d taken money or valuables from boosters, James said, “It was an insignificant amount that I had when I was at SMU. It was wrong. And I was 18, 19 years old.”

James declined to specify what gifts he accepted and how much money, nor from whom.

“It was insignificant. It was never,” he said, halting in mid-sentence. “I said in my book that if someone came up and shook my hand and there were a $20 bill in it, I didn’t have the maturity at that time to turn it away.”

James’ admissions are nothing new — in a book released in 2009, he admitted to taking some money, though he emphasized that he was not one of the reasons for the death penalty. He also specified that benefits did not entice him to join the school.

Even if this isn’t exactly breaking news, it’s comforting to know that James is being grilled somewhat. He’s at least getting grilled more in his political career than he was as a sports broadcaster where his behavior led to the firing of a prominent coach.

H/T Bryan D. Fischer