Probe Confirms Sherrill Paid Former Player

Texas A & M officials said Friday that an investigation into allegations that former football Coach Jackie Sherrill made illegal payments confirmed that he gave a former player money, but they said that evidence did not support “hush money” allegations made by the player.

The results of the internal investigation have been turned over to the National Collegiate Athletic Assn., school President William H. Mobley said.

Robert Smith, the university’s vice president of administration and finance, said the investigation confirmed that five overnight letters were sent to former player George Smith after he left the university, starting in November of 1986 and ending in September of 1988. Sherrill has admitted that three of the letters contained $500 each.

But the report concludes that the evidence does not support any of the allegations made by George Smith, including the allegations that the payments constituted “hush money.” The former player since has recanted the claim.