The need to self snitch on yourself makes absolutely no sense, but here we are…
One of the biggest stories of this week is of Odell Beckham Jr. handing out wads of cash to LSU players after their national championship victory over Clemson and it drew widespread headlines and criticism that might cause a potential NCAA rules violation.
That situation led to a discussion from former Texas Longhorns linebacker Emmanuel Acho who revealed on Thursday.
that players at Texas were paid $1,000 for each interception they got against Alabama during the national championship game for the 2009 season.
Acho said on ESPN’s Get Up:
“We went to the national championship game in 2009 and … it was public to the team, for every interception the defensive back got, they were going to get $1,000. ‘For every pick y’all got against Alabama in the national championship game, you’re going to get $1,000.’ Now, the difference is we just didn’t do it publicly on the field.
“What my problem is, though, everybody masquerades Odell Beckham as a guy who thinks, ‘Oh, I plotted this out. I’m going to go out, hand this money and they’re going to talk about me on Get Up. That’s not what he’s thinking. That’s not what he’s thinking.”
Blake Gideon picked off a pass on a fake punt attempt in the first quarter of the 2010 game, but that was the only interception for Texas in the Longhorns’ 37-21 loss.
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He did not mention whether Gideon received the $1,000.
Acho later clarified on Twitter that doesn’t know if anyone actually received cash:
“I have no proof that anybody on our ’09 team ACTUALLY got paid by our NFL alumni. Those were lockeroom convos in jest pre game. Our alumni came to the game and supported us, but again no money changed hands.
“The former coaches nor University of Texas had anything to do with it. This was just a motivational conversation between players, past and present. Thanks, and Hookem.”
LSU initially stated the money given out by Odell was fake, but would soon change their tune after QB Joe Burrow stated the money he got was real.
