COLUMBUS, OHIO (AP) - The relationship between former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and a photographer and businessman who allegedly gave him money for signed memorabilia goes back to at least 2008, ESPN reported Friday.
Pryor announced on Tuesday he would give up his senior season with the Buckeyes in the midst of an NCAA investigation that has already led to a five-game suspension for him.
ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” reported a new allegation earlier this week that Pryor was paid $500 to $1,000 each time he signed mini football helmets and other gear for Dennis Talbott, a Columbus businessman and freelance photographer. Pryor’s lawyer has said there is “no truth” to the claim.
“I’ve been 100 percent consistent on that: The answer is no,” lawyer Larry James said of the allegation that Pryor received between $20,000 and $40,000 from Talbott for the autographed equipment and souvenirs. “That’s poppycock. I can tell you unequivocally that’s poppycock.”
Now ESPN is reporting Pryor and Talbott played golf together several times in 2008, before Pryor began his first season at Ohio State.
It wasn’t clear who was paying for the rounds but it would be an NCAA violation if it were Talbott. Koivisto said he notified former OSU coach Jim Tressel’s office and never saw Pryor at the club again.
Koivisto and Talbott did not return calls seeking comment from The Associated Press.
Tressel resigned under the heat of the NCAA investigation last month.
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