OT: Confessions of an agent

[Reddeye]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/magazine/10/12/agent/index.html?eref=sihp

Gary also used his contacts in the media to help him recruit. In 2000, before a meeting with Stanford defensive lineman Willie Howard, Gary arranged for ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper to call. Gary and I were talking to Willie in Gary's office when Gary's phone rang, and he put it on speakerphone.

"Viper, how are you?" Gary said. That's what he called Mel, Viper or Vipe. "Viper, I'm sitting here with the best defensive lineman in college football. Do you know who that is?"

"You must be with Willie Howard," Mel said.

Gary used Mel like that all the time. In the agent business, people know Gary and Mel are close, and some people suspect that Mel ranks players more favorably if they are Gary's clients.

[ReasonablySober]

I highly doubt Kiper ever intentionally played up a prospect for the benefit of a runner or agent. He's got a history of killing guys from all agents.

The other stuff isn't surprising. It shows that it was despicable to put Bush through the crap he went through. (nearly) Everyone is taking money or benefits, he's just the guy that got targeted.