Former player disputes his comments in SI report

Rodrick Johnson, one of the former Oklahoma State players quoted in the Sports Illustrated report that players were paid for performance, disputed what he said in the report on Facebook.

Johnson, who played linebacker and defensive end from 2004 through 2007, said he was lied to about what the topic of the article. In the SI story, he said that Oklahoma State players openly discussed that then-assistant coach Joe DeForest set rewards between $100 and $500 for special teams plays.

Johnson also told SI that he received payments and was aware of other players getting paid for making plays. He also is quoted in the report that he was paid for doing jobs at Boone Pickens Stadium during a 2007 renovation, but didn’t actually perform the work.

“I’d show up, sign in, leave,” Johnson told SI.

Another player mentioned in the report, running back Tatum Bell, denies being contacted for the story, according to OrangePower.com. In the report, other players mentioned him as someone who received payments, but Bell denied receiving money.