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Report: Oxford clothing store sends NCAA second demand seeking retraction of allegations
By Kevin Duffey
Published:
Oxford clothing store, Rebel Rags, has sent its second demand of retraction of allegations to NCAA lead investigator Mike Sheridan, according to The Clarion Ledger.
The company’s attorney Charles Merkel originally sent the first demand in May, with the second coming last Friday. Merkel said Sheridan confirmed he had received the May demand but no action has been taken.
The clothing store filed a lawsuit against two Mississippi State players — Leo Lewis and Kobe Jones, along with Laremy Tunsil’s estranged stepfather, Lindsey Miller, for their testimony to the NCAA. The store sued the trio for defamation, civil conspiracy and commercial disparagement and denies the allegations that they received free gear.
Rebel Rags is at the center of one of the most serious charges in the case against Ole Miss, an alleged Level 1 violation. The NCAA case alleges that the trio — Lewis, Jones and Miller — were given approximately $2,800 of free gear by former assistant coach Chris Kiffin and former staffer Barney Farrar. Responses from Farrar and Kiffin dispute the claims.
Interestingly, because the company filed a lawsuit against MSU’s Lewis, it could force him to testify under oath, as the store and its attorney have accused Lewis of not telling a straight story.
“I surely hope they withdraw it [allegation against Rebel Rags]. But if they don’t, then I don’t know,” Merkel said.
A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.
