Stephen Garcia: Paid autograph signings are commonplace
Former South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia made headlines on Thursday for his comments about college football players getting paid for signing autographs.
The subject of college players being paid for signing autographs over the past year. Last year, Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel was suspended for half a game after a lengthy “scandal” over accusations he was paid thousands of dollars to sign autographs. Last week Georgia star running back Todd Gurley was suspended indefinitely for allegedly accepting $400 to sign some memorabilia. Now Jameis Winston is being scrutinized for seemingly selling his autographs like Gurley.
Garcia joined “The Mac Attack” show on WFNZ in Charlotte and said the practice is commonplace.
“I saw it all day, every day,” Garcia said on The Mac Attack show on WFNZ in Charlotte on Thursday. “I wish it would have came to me, but they thought of me as some rich white kid so I didn’t really get a whole lot of benefits from that.”
Garcia’s “all day, every day” comment was an exaggeration, but his point was well received. He later tweeted to clarify that portion.
For the record, because clearly it was a damn exaggeration, it wasn't all day every day. My God people. And I didn't mention anyone,anywhere
— Stephen Garcia (@StephenGarcia) October 16, 2014
However, Garcia was not shy about sharing the truth of the matter.
“I mean, I’m just being honest with you, and that’s what it is. I saw it firsthand with a lot of players. I am friends with a lot of guys around the SEC and some of the stories they tell me, it makes the Todd Gurley thing seem insignificant by a long shot.”
Garcia said he never personally accepted money because it was never offered to him, but he would have if presented with the opportunity.
“I don’t know any person who would not take free money,” he said. “I think it’s absolutely ridiculous that these kids can’t profit from their names, their likeness, and sign their name on their own jersey. I don’t understand that and I really hope that rule is changed. It’s mind-boggling to me, to be honest with you.”
The most Garcia heard of someone getting is $160,000 for a season of autographs and stuff. Garcia also said he believes players are already getting paid a significant amount of money to sign with a school, so the argument that allowing players to sign autographs for money could lead to corrupt recruiting is moot in his eyes.
Garcia, who underachieved during his time in South Carolina and was often in trouble with Steve Spurrier, received so much attention for his comments that he had to address them via Twitter.
Man, that was blown way the hell out of proportion. Everyone calmmmmmm down
— Stephen Garcia (@StephenGarcia) October 16, 2014
I was asked a question and gave a honest answer. Sorry for not lying folks.
— Stephen Garcia (@StephenGarcia) October 16, 2014
We appreciate your honesty, Stephen. The only thing people need to realize is that the “all day, every day” part was an exaggeration. Otherwise the rest definitely is a reflection of reality.
Transcription via AL.com