Antrel Rolle says Miami Hurricanes allegations 'irrelevant' to him

Giants safety Antrel Rolle allegedly received a $7,500 watch, thousands of dollars of cash gifts and paid trips to nightclubs and strip clubs from a University of Miami booster while a standout cornerback for the Hurricanes, according to a Yahoo! Sports investigation released on Tuesday.

The benefits came from Nevin Shapiro, who is in prison for his role in a $930 million Ponzi scheme. All would violate NCAA rules. Provided an opportunity today, Rolle neither confirmed nor denied the allegations against him.

"To me it doesn’t matter what’s true or what’s not true," Rolle said today.

"There’s nothing for me to comment on this guy. Obviously he’s on a rampage to cause havoc, and I’m just going to let him do his talking. Because right now, to me, it’s irrelevant. It don’t concern me at this point. I’ll deal with it when the right time comes."

The report indicated that Rolle also received $1,000 for shutting down Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson in a 27-3 win over Georgia Tech on Oct. 2, 2004 and $500 for a game-sealing interception in a 41-38 victory over Louisville on Oct. 14, 2004. It also accused Rolle of accepting $40,000 from an agent who was Shapiro’s former business partner.

Rolle was one of 72 athletes named in the report. The report also included fellow Giants safety Kenny Phillips, who allegedly accepted food, drink and entertainment at Shapiro’s home and yacht, and meals at restaurants in the Miami area. Phillips was not available for comment today.

"You get 20 years in prison, certain things like that happen, you’re going to find something to take it on, right?" Rolle said. "I guess we have to bite that bullet."

Rolle said he and other Miami players are not frustrated by the report because "we understood our place, and we also understand what he’s trying to do."

However, Rolle expressed concern about the possible ramifications on Miami’s football program, which could be in line for significant sanctions if the NCAA finds the allegations are true.

"I think this is bringing unnecessary drama to the program that doesn’t need to be," Rolle said. "I’m a Miami guy at heart and I always will be a Miami guy at heart. I just want those guys to have the same fortunate career as I had and other people ha, and right now there’s a lot of drama going on at that school. And it’s all caused by one guy."

Busy in training camp, Rolle has not yet read the report. However, he’s received messages from those who have. He said his mother called after seeing a photo of Shapiro wearing Rolle’s No. 6 college jersey.

"I’m like ... I didn’t give him the jersey’," Rolle said. "When I saw him, he switched up jerseys each and every week. It just happened to be the jersey he had on in the Florida State game. He represented me. I played ball down there, he should have represented the No. 6 jersey."

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(nj.com)