Brandon Weeden Slams OSU Pay-For-Play Allegations

Cleveland Browns’ starting QB Brandon Weeden ripped into Sports Illustrated for the investigative report claiming OSU used a pay-for-play system with college players.

Sports Illustrated recently published the first in a five part series about Oklahoma State University’s football program. The report alleged that OSU payed college players for their time.

The best players reportedly earned $25,000 a year. Other players earned anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 for their football services.

Weeden played QB for OSU from 2007 to 2011. Speaking candidly to reporters he let his feelings known on the subject:

“Here’s what I’m surprised about is that a credible institution like Sports Illustrated would do 10 months of investigation and they have no credible facts to go along with the story.”

Brandon Weeden’s biggest issue with the pay-for-play allegation is that Sports Illustrated relied on former OSU players who had been kicked off the team. He also took issue with Evan Thayers, one of the investigation’s reporters and apparently an OU guy:

“He comes up to me after we beat Texas and he said, ‘when’s it going to happen? When’s Okie State going to pull it’s Okie choke? Like they always do.’ I laughed and said, ‘Who is this clown?’ to our SID guys.”

It makes sense Weeden would be protective of his alma mater. He set school passing records and led the Cowboys to a Fiesta Bowl victory in 2012.

Because of his performance at OSU Weeden was drafted in the first round of 2012 NFL Draft despite being 29-years-old at the time.

He is the oldest player ever taken in the draft. He owes a lot to the university and is clearing willing to fight for them.

One has to also wonder if Brandon Weeden is a part of the pay-for-play list. If he is it could be terrible for his reputation. Most analysts believe he entered the NFL too old to be a franchise QB to begin with. If he is on the list maybe the Browns will be question him too.