Ole Miss Football: Godfrey’s Documentary Analysis And Why Its Important
By Jim Shute
Ole Miss football was back in the news again with the release of Steven Godfrey’s recent documentary ‘Foul Play: Paid In Mississippi’.
Unless you were hiding under a rock or live outside the south, most Ole Miss football fans have watched Steven Godfrey’s documentary “Foul Play: Paid in Mississippi” and subsequent article on it “Crooked Letters.”
https://www.go90.com/videos/7mTzLNk3F8b
https://www.sbnation.com/a/ole-miss-leo-lewis-ncaa-enforcement-recruitment-violations
This writer thought it was well done, factual and more importantly fair and balanced. He pulled no punches when it came to the NCAA, Mike Sheridan & Leo Lewis. But he also called out Ole Miss where mistakes were made and rules were violated. Many Ole Miss fans were upset with Steven (Ole Miss graduate) because they thought he turned on his alma mater.
That can’t be farther from the truth. First and foremost, if he wrote a hot piece on just the NCAA & Mississippi State, he would have no credibility. Steven told the story based on five years of his personal investigation and facts from the NCAA case itself. He called out Hugh Freeze for being sloppy and basically challenging the NCAA to try to come get him. It was the equivalent to asking a serial killer to dinner in your home.
Help Or Hurt?
Ole Miss Rebels Football
So what does this documentary and article do for Ole Miss? Does it hurt or does it help? Granted it doesn’t paint the state of Mississippi and the Ole Miss-MSU rivalry in a positive light but it also exposes the ineptness and corruption of the NCAA.
Most people outside the state of Mississippi and the south weren’t familiar with the Leo Lewis saga, the lawsuits and accusations against the NCAA’s Mike Sheridan’s tactics during his investigation. Most didn’t know the overwhelming evidence that the allegations against Rebel Rags were fabricated. Now everybody knows. The National Media has picked up the story. ESPN’s Rece Davis gave Godfrey accolades for his story.
This is just outstanding work by @38Godfrey .....Again. And it should give even the most ardent traditionalist pause when staking a position on how players should be allowed to profit. Isn’t profiting in legit business deals better than the situations that led to all of this? https://t.co/7hEm379BX7
— Rece Davis (@ReceDavis) May 30, 2018
Just yesterday the Miami Herald ran a story on it and basically said Leo Lewis has the most to lose in this case.
http://www.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article212194529.html
It Really Can’t Hurt
So again does this help Ole Miss? I believe it does. Why? Because sometime in July Ole Miss will meet with the NCAA Appeals Committee. You can bet all or most of the committee members have seen or read Godfrey piece and know that the public will be watching to see if they will use the evidence, logic and common sense with their appeal ruling.
Unlike the Committee on Infractions, I believe the appeals committee will actually review the evidence against Leo Lewis & Kobe Jones and they will exonerate Rebel Rags and store owner Terry Warren. That will reduce some penalties to include the limitation on unofficial visits. Folks that is huge. You can’t land top recruits on the phone, Twitter or Skype. Will we get the bowl game back?
I’m guessing the answer will be no if for no other reason to save face for the NCAA. Trust me on this. The NCAA does not want that Rebel Rags lawsuit to go forward and I don’t think Ole Miss does either. When you start deposing people, you can open cans of worms that you don’t want opened.
In Closing
So, I believe Steven Godfrey’s work was superb and yes I believe in the end it will help Ole Miss and their NCAA case. In August this will all be over if it falls the way I think that it will. If for some reason it doesn’t, then get your popcorn ready for a must see court room drama.