FAMU football players retain high-profile attorney to help them regain their eligibility
Florida A&M football players Isaiah Land and Cameron Covin have retained high-profile attorney Tom Mars to help them restore their eligibility.
Land and Covin – both redshirt seniors – are among the 26 players who were ruled ineligible last Thursday by the NCAA to play in the Rattlers' season-opening defeat, 56-24, at North Carolina Saturday.
Mars, whose office is in Rogers, Ark., told the Democrat Tuesday in an email that he and the players are gathering information to file an appeal with the NCAA to restore their eligibility.
Both players have been suspended for four games.
FAMU opens its SWAC schedule Sunday against rival Jackson State in the Orange Blossom Classic at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Kickoff is 3 p.m. on ESPN2
FAMU COVERAGE
Gerald's take: FAMU made right call to play UNC, taking an early look at Jackson State | Thomas
President responds: Florida A&M President Larry Robinson addresses players' concerns ahead of UNC game
More: Hard questions in the wake of an almost scrapped FAMU football season opener | Jim Henry
Frustrated with FAMU
Mars also expressed his frustration with FAMU, indicating the trio signed release forms requested by the university Monday.
"I’ve repped about 80 college athletes in eligibility cases in the past five years and have never had to sign forms and wait around for a school to 'process' my request to see what the school had sent to the NCAA legislative relief staff," Mars said.
"With only one exception before now (Virginia Tech), the school’s compliance staff is happy to be receiving my help and gets me on board without delay.
"I don’t understand why FAMU is dragging its feet here."
Land, a linebacker and an NFL prospect, was voted the top defender in the FCS last season with nation highs in sacks (19) and tackles for loss (25.5).
Covin, an offensive lineman, started 11 games last season.
Mars, a nationally-recognized advocate in collegiate sports, has also voiced his displeasure with FAMU on social media.
"I don't think anyone in college sports has ever witnessed a bigger blunder on the part of a university or a more unfair punishment aimed at the players - the only people in this mess who did everything right.
"If a parent fails to file a tax return, the IRS doesn't punish their kids. But this is the college sports equivalent of doing just that."
Dominating headlines, social media
The FAMU eligibility saga has dominated headlines and social media the past five days.
FAMU football players shared and expressed their frustrations Monday in a five-page letter that was signed by 89 players and sent to FAMU President Larry Robinson.
Players said they have been misadvised, underrepresented, and underappreciated.
Hours after the letter began circulating on social media, the university responded in an emailed statement Monday evening, saying "We are confident that our processes are effective and timely. We will continue to monitor our efforts in this regards and to pursue all avenues to provide an excellent student experience to every athlete."
Reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU's Isaiah Land, Cam Covin retain major lawyer in eligibility issue
