One of the best DT in the country, former UNC Marvin Austin was dismissed from the team for improper contact with sports agent Gary Wichard.
Veteran sports agent Gary Wichard will have a good part of the year off as the NFL Players Association suspended the longtime sports agent for 9 months for his improper contact with UNC coaches and players. Wichard, a licensed sports agent since 1980, was under scrutiny for his involvement with former Tar Heel defensive tackle Marvin Austin who was dismissed from the team earlier this season. Information began surfacing when improper benefits were received by UNC players, specifically Austin.
Additionally, Wichard allegedly had a strong relationship with former Tar Heels assistant coach John Blake, who was forced to resigned his post in September. Wichard would “loan” money (illegally providing gifts) to Blake to steer potential NFL players to Wichard.
Wichard agreed to the nine-month suspension effective December 1. He will not appeal the NFLPA’s decision which, in relevant part, states Wichard had “impressible communication with University of North Carolina player Marvin Austin at a time Austin was not eligible for the NFL draft under the NFL/NFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement.”
Wichard’s clientele includes top NFL players such as Dwight Freeney, Jason Taylor, Antonio Cromartie, Elvis Dumervil, Terrell Suggs, Darren Sproles, C.J. Spiller, and Jimmy Clausen.
