Bowden Denies Reports of Players Dismissed

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CLEMSON - Clemson University football coach Tommy Bowden Friday denied

reports that three football players had been dismissed from the team, but

stopped short of saying there was no criminal investigation focusing on the

trio.

Speaking to reporters following Friday's spring workout, Bowden answered

"no" when asked if defensive linemen Paul White, Marcus Lewis and Tyrone

Dickerson had been dismissed from the team.

However, none of the three were at practice again Friday afternoon.

"Two of them are injured, and one has some personal problems," Bowden said.

Asked which player had the personal problems, Bowden said, "I don't think I

need to answer that."

The Daily Journal/Messenger reported Thursday that a source close to the

situation said White, Lewis and Dickerson had been dismissed from the team

after they became the focus of a criminal investigation involving credit

card fraud and/or theft.

The source said charges could be filed against the players early next week.

When asked if the three were indeed the target of a criminal investigation,

the coach paused for a moment before avoiding the question in typical Bowden

fashion.

"Am I the chief of police or a football coach?" he said with a laugh. "What

do I look like, Wyatt Earp or a football coach? I spend most of my time out

here (practice fields) instead of with a magnifying glass over there."

If the allegations prove true, this would be White's second brush with the

law in four months. On Nov. 28, he and former teammate Eugene Coon, along

with two other Clemson students, were indicted on federal counterfeiting

charges.

That case is still pending. If convicted White - who was charged with

conspiracy to commit counterfeit, a felony - faces up to five years

imprisonment.

Dan Scott is the host of SportsTalk (10AM-Noon) on 104.9 FM in Upstate SC and

Managing Editor of Seneca Daily Journal/Clemson Daily Messenger

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