Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: a Heisman Trophy candidate has been investigated by the NCAA. This time around instead of Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, it was Oregon running back LaMichael James. The Williamette Week, via CBS Sports, says James was investigated by the NCAA this month for driving a new car.
James had been seen tooling around in a white 2003 Range Rover recently. He apparently acquired the car in a swap with Pernell Brown, who described himself as James’ uncle. Brown is a local gang-outreach worker who is a friend of the family.
According to Brown, “James told him someone was stalking him and leaving notes on his car—a red 2000 Ford Mustang with James’ initials and his jersey number, 21, affixed to the side window.” Naturally, Brown offered to switch cars with him. Makes plenty of sense, right?
Apparently the NCAA bought the story. Oregon media relations man Dave Williford told the Williamette Week that “To my understanding, they think everything is fine.” Right, because that story doesn’t sound at all strange. All I want to know is why UCLA didn’t come up with that story when DeShaun Foster was busted in 2001 for his Expedition.
