The Rebel Rags lawsuit against Leo Lewis, Kobe Jones and Lindsey Miller is the current hot button talking point of Ole Miss football and Egg Bowl Twitter. Here are few of my own thoughts.
I am by no means a law expert. Like most of the people commenting on this lawsuit, I don’t know every procedure. So forgive me if I am not aware of some sort of legal maneuver. However, this doesn’t prevent me from having opinions. So here we go.
Due to the timing of the depositions of both Leo Lewis and Kobe Jones, the likelihood of this lawsuit immediately affecting the NCAA Investigation is low. There will be delays and extensions that will push the finality of this lawsuit to a much later date.
That does not mean this matter will never affect the penalty phase of this investigation. It is unlikely the bowl ban will be adjusted. However, if it is found that Lewis and Jones have lied about receiving merchandise, the NCAA can lessen any remaining sanctions.
If the two players are proven to be liars, the NCAA could return some of the lost scholarships and cash. The lost scholarships are a big deal. In a competitive SEC, quality team depth is important. Even losing three or four scholarships a year can affect the team. So, getting them returned could be beneficial.
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The other school seems to be unaware of the seriousness of this lawsuit. Then again, maybe they are pretending to be unaware. They have a blind loyalty to two players who at the very least have shown themselves to be liars.
Lewis received money from someone to attend school at their favorite university. Whether it was from Ole Miss or the other school is the crux of the argument. However, either way it shows that Lewis is deceptive.
There are landmines all around this lawsuit for the other school. What happens if Lewis and/or Jones recants? What happens if there is sufficient evidence to show that their allegations are false? The effect to their program will be seismic. Their eligibility immediately comes under question. Both of these players are playing crucial roles on their team the next two years.
Conspiracy
However, the most interesting part of the lawsuit is where they have accused the defendants of conspiracy. It alleges that they colluded with each other or another person to bring financial harm to Rebel Rags. To cover any possible unknown defendant, the lawsuit names them as “John Doe”.
John Doe could be anyone. However, if John Doe is anyone associated with the other university this will open up a can of worms, the likes of which has never been opened before. The idea that one school would stoop so low to do that to a rival has been rumored but never proven. So, if this lawsuit is able to uncover that type of conspiracy they will be the talk of all of sports.
A rogue booster or coach telling a student athlete to lie to the NCAA would be met with ire from the governing body. However, the question is whether the same students are willing to lie under oath with the penalty of perjury on the table. A good lawyer would tell them to not take that chance.
Therefore, my advice for the two young men is to obtain their own attorneys. Lawyers with no connection to the school will be invaluable for them. Lawyers who will have their best interest at heart and not the interest of the University. Simply because, what’s best for them may not be what’s best for the other school.
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This lawsuit has a chance of bringing out more than we think. Therefore, my belief is it will be a severe headache for Miss State. All we can do now is sit back and watch the events unfurl.