Devin Hester won't discuss allegations of benefits from booster

DevinHester
BOURBONNAIS -- As far as the Bears are concerned, what might have happened at the University of Miami stays at the University of Miami.

Stunning allegations of rampant NCAA violations at the school and millions of dollars in impermissible gifts from one rogue booster being lavished on student-athletes came out in a highly detailed Yahoo Sports report that names Devin Hester as one of more than 70 athletes involved.

Hester, who is pictured with Hurricanes booster Nevin Shapiro in multiple photos in the Yahoo report, declined to discuss the situation Wednesday, a day after he said he didn't know the man who is serving 20 years in federal prison after being convicted of running a $930 million Ponzi scheme.

"I'm prepared to talk Chicago Bears football," Hester said. "I'm willing to do whatever you want -- if you want to talk about Bears, I'm all down for it. But other than that, no comment."

As far as the Bears and the NFL are concerned, the story is mostly a non-issue. It doesn't affect Hester's standing with the team, just as the Reggie Bush USC probe didn't involve the Saints directly. In this instance, there's no national championship team Hester was on, and he didn't win a Heisman Trophy.

"That's the University of Miami's issue," Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said. "It's unfortunate that it does go on in college. That's why they have the NCAA, and the NCAA always does its due diligence. Whatever wrongs there are, they'll find out."

Shapiro admitted he had an ax to grind with the players he splurged for because he believes they betrayed him at his time of need when authorities came down on him. According to the Yahoo article, Hester allegedly received rims for his SUV, $3,000 for an engagement ring, cash bounties for game performances and NBA playoff tickets through Shapiro. None of that would affect his standing in the NFL, and he's not bound to discuss the matter with NCAA officials if they come calling.

Shapiro told Yahoo he provided extra benefits to 72 football players and other athletes at Miami from 2002 to 2010.

The Yahoo article says a source corroborated Shapiro's account of Hester receiving food, entertainment and lodging in the booster's home, saying Hester was having roommate problems and stayed with Shapiro for a sustained period.

As for Hester's claim that he doesn't know Shapiro, the Yahoo article includes a photo of Hester sitting in Shapiro's VIP section of Opium Garden nightclub in 2003 and another photo of Hester with Shapiro at an October 2003 dinner the booster allegedly paid for at Japanese-themed steakhouse Benihana.

The story is just getting started for Miami, and the potential fallout could make tattoos and game-used jerseys at Ohio State look minuscule in comparison. For the Bears, if it's not over already, it will be soon aside from the distraction.

"The NCAA has a lot of issues," Angelo said. "These kids are highly recruited. These programs are very, very visible to a lot of people. Alumni are a huge part of every program. Sometimes people get near lines and go over them. I'm not saying that's the case in Miami. They'll do their homework and right whatever wrongs there might be.

"Hopefully, it's just a bad rumor."

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(chicagotribune.com)
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