WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina

Little clears air on tickets and cars, supports coach Davis

By Aaron Schoonmaker

Jul 21, 2011

Raleigh, N.C. — Former University of North Carolina wide receiver Greg Little spoke with WRAL Thursday night and addressed some of the accusations against him as a result of the NCAA investigation into the school’s football program.

Little, who was declared “permanently ineligible” by the NCAA in October, was one of eight players found to have accrued a number of parking tickets between March 2007 and August 2010 according to public records released by the school in June. Little was found to have racked up 93 parking violations on multiple vehicles bearing nine different license plates during that time span. On Thursday, he said that he has taken care of all fines using his own funds.

"I know I got a lot, that's really irresponsible,” Little said. “I know everybody receives parking tickets. I paid them. I paid them. They came from out of my pockets.”

Little also explained the five different vehicles that were cited, but was not sure how the license plates could be so varied.

“I drove my mom’s car, dad’s car, sister’s car and I had two cars, I ended up switching, so that’s where that came from,” Little said. “But the nine license plates, that’s got me baffled too.”

Little was also quick to throw his support behind Tar Heels head coach Butch Davis, saying that he should undoubtedly keep his job, never knew of any student-athlete misdeeds and the blame lies solely on the players.

“He did nothing wrong,” Little said. “If you send your child out to the movies but he goes to a party, you don’t have control after you step out of the picture. He had nothing to do with anything that went on. It was all me and Marvin’s (Austin) ill-advised mistakes."

Austin, who has been active on social media outlets recently, voicing his displeasure with the outcome of a hearing on the eligibility of former teammate Michael McAdoo, also got support from Little.

"Marvin is upset,” Little said. “I can understand his frustration. We all want to move forward"

A second-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns, Little said he was in game shape right now and was waiting on an email from player reps regarding the NFL lockout. He also said that while he understands the varying opinions that continue to swirl about the allegations against UNC, he continues to wish them the best.

“There is going to be speculation because everything was put in such a broad statement,” Little said. “There is going to be speculation (as to where) exactly things came from and exactly what went on. I know things are still lingering over North Carolina. I wish them the best and look forward to them moving forward as well.”

• Reporter: Ken Medlin