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BY NICK GASS

(Image Source: Sports Illustrated)

“Usually, you would pay your agent. But said he paid them to get a hold of them early, basically,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], right? Yes, reportedly,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], allegedly.” (HLN)

Former NFL agent Josh Luchs is coming clean in this week’s Sports Illustrated about paying more than 30 players while they were still in school in the 1990s. On KTLA Los Angeles, Luchs said his intentions were clear.

“I don't want it to sound as if I’m Mother Teresa,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], because certainly, I’m not. The fact of the matter is, I was helping those guys because they needed the money to eat.”

NBC Sports ProFootballTalk.com blogger Michael David Smith says Luchs left out just a few crucial details.

“Well, it's nice of him not to paint himself as Mother Teresa. But it's fairly ridiculous of Luchs to act like his purpose was to help young men buy groceries, especially when he admits in the Sports Illustrated article that he paid for things like a hotel room in Las Vegas for Ryan Leaf, a ticket to a Janet Jackson concert for Jonathan Ogden, and bail money to get Bruce Walker out of jail…”

In the Sports Illustrated article, set to hit newsstands this weekend, senior writer George Dohrmann tells why he broke the story, saying:

“People should know how the agent business really works, how widespread the inducements to players are and how players have their hands out. It isn't just the big, bad agents making them take money.”

The article is also placing ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. under scrutiny, a friend of NFL agent Gary Wichard. KPNX Phoenix reports on the controversy.

“Now Luchs claims that agent Gary Wichard used his friendship and ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper as a tool in recruiting, and some suspect Kiper ranked Wichard’s players more favorably.”

Now, ESPN is investigating the situation and Kiper released a statement denying the allegations - saying his 32 year record speaks for itself.

L.A. Times blogger Chuck Schilken also thinks Luchs’ story shines a light on what really goes on in the world of college sports recruitment.

“Luchs offers a lot of insight into a field that is viewed by most to be one of the slimiest around. And although the article might not do much to change that notion, Luchs does provide a different perspective from the one many of us have of the relationship between agents and student-athletes.”

Nothing can be done about these violations now that the NCAA’s four-year statute of limitations has long passed. So what do you think? Surprised by the shenanigans? Or -- does it confirm your suspicions?