To: E'Lane who wrote (5213 ) 12/7/2001 3:09:49 PM From: MythMan Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 11146 December 7, 2001 UF football: Spurrier letter released in Tide investigation By ROBBIE ANDREU Sun sports writer Documents released by the University of Alabama on Thursday concerning a recently concluded NCAA investigation into the Tide football program include a letter from Florida coach Steve Spurrier to Mike DuBose accusing the Tide coach and his staff of trying to buy off a recruit who had orally committed to the Gators. The recruit was Justin Smiley, an offensive lineman from Georgia who orally committed to the UF coaches two years ago, then backed out and signed with Alabama. Spurrier sent the following handwritten letter to DuBose: Mike, I've learned that you or your guys have promised a great deal on a new pickup truck for (Justin Smiley) from some dealer in Macon, Ga. I've also learned from (Travis Carroll) some of the car deals that go on at Alabama including one he had. You need to tell Smiley that you're full of O-line scholarships or I'm going to turn you and your coaches in. You are not going to buy players from me without an investigation of some kind. P.S. I've been hearing this crap for the last couple of years now. P.S. If this is not true what I've been hearing, then you've got nothing to worry about. Although the University of Alabama blotted out the names of Smiley and Carroll and did not reveal the source of the letter, sources in Birminham, Ala., confirmed the letter came from Spurrier and that the players mentioned were Smiley and Carroll, a senior middle linebacker at UF who transferred from Alabama three years ago. Spurrier is one of several SEC coaches who complained about some of Alabama's recruiting tactics under DuBose, who was fired at the end of last season. Spurrier could not be reached for comment.<< LOL!