Rebel Rags seeking retraction of allegations from NCAA
Antonio Morales
OXFORD — Rebel Rags is demanding that the NCAA retract allegations against the Oxford-based retail store.
Attorney Charles Merkel, who is representing Rebel Rags, confirmed the correspondence Wednesday. He said he sent his first demand to NCAA lead investigator Mike Sheridan sometime in May.
He said Sheridan’s response consisted of: “We’ve received the materials. Thank you very much.”
Merkel said he did not hear much back after that, so he repeated his demand on Friday.
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RebelGrove.com was the first to report of the demands sent by Rebel Rags.
Rebel Rags filed a lawsuit against Mississippi State duo Leo Lewis and Kobe Jones and Lindsey Miller (Laremy Tunsil’s ex-stepfather) on June 9.
The store sued the trio for defamation, commercial disparagement and civil conspiracy stemming from statements the three individuals gave to the NCAA during its investigation into Ole Miss’ football program.
Rebel Rags is referenced in allegation No. 9 in the notice of allegations, which Ole Miss released to the public earlier this month.
In allegation No. 9, former defensive line coach Chris Kiffin and former off-field staffer Barney Farrar were alleged to have arranged for $2,800 in impermissible recruiting inducements in the form of free merchandise from Rebel Rags to those three individuals.
Ole Miss’ response to the allegations and some individual responses have tried to poke holes in Lewis and Jones’ testimony and statements.
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Ole Miss’ response also cited Rebel Rags’ purchase records as proof in an attempt to disprove those claims.
“The entire investigation was a pursuit of an agenda,” Merkel said.
Merkel said he sent Sheridan hundreds of pages worth of documentary evidence, which he claims disprove allegation No. 9.
When asked what would happen if the NCAA doesn’t retract allegation No. 9, Merkel said, “I surely hope they withdraw it. But if they don’t, then I don’t know.”
ContactAntonio Morales at 601-961-7117 oramorales2@gannett.com. Follow him onTwitter.