Report Alleges Fletcher Cox Took a Free Flight While at Mississippi State

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Amidst the controversy surrounding the Oklahoma State football program (and Sports Illustrated's reporting on the Oklahoma State football program), Yahoo! Sports released its own improper benefits expose on Wednesday, alleging that five SEC football players, four former and one current, violated NCAA amateurism rules during the course of their college careers.

Named in the report is Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who played at Mississippi State from 2009-2011.

As evidence, Yahoo! "was able to authenticate text message records, Western Union fund transfers, banking statements, flight receipts and other financial material linking both [former Alabama defensive end Luther] Davis and the five college football players. Yahoo Sports also found that three NFL agents and three financial advisers engaged Davis in transactions totaling $45,550."

So what did Cox actually do?

Yahoo Sports authenticated airfare purchases tied to former Mississippi State football stars Fletcher Cox and Chad Bumphis. Davis' records included a receipt showing he paid for airline tickets from Birmingham, Ala., to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Priced at $1,259.20, the tickets were issued in the name of Davis, Cox, Bumphis and former Mississippi State defensive back Johnthan Banks. From the records Yahoo Sports reviewed, it appeared that only Davis, Cox and Bumphis took the flights. The flights were purchased on Dec. 23, 2011, and the travel took place from Jan. 3-6 in 2012.

The records included baggage receipts issued when Bumphis and Cox checked luggage during the return portion of the flight on Jan. 6. The baggage receipts listed the same confirmation number as the receipt issued to Davis for the flight purchases.

Cox's agent, Todd France, declined comment.

No hundred-dollar handshakes? No drugs? No sex? No rap songs?

The guy took a flight? That's it?

New hashtag: #FreeCox. Let's get T-shirts made up.

For Yahoo's full report, click here:

>>Documents, text messages reveal impermissible benefits to five SEC players [Yahoo! Sports]

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