North Carolina senior defensive tackle Marvin Austin has not made a public comment since the NCAA investigation into the Tar Heels football program began more than six weeks ago.
In a message posted Sunday night around 9:30 p.m. on what appears to be his Facebook page, Austin, who was interviewed by the NCAA in mid-July for possible improper contact with an agent, may have broken that silence.
"I came back to school to have my character questioned..[expletive]..i thought education was key.. I dont really understand...i though it was the right thing to do..maybe i was mistaken," the message said. "...i like to say thanx to all those who stand by me i really appriecate [sic] it. oh yea and to those who wanna see me fall i wont cause i dont great athletes stay on their feet!!!!!"
The name on the Facebook account is Marvin Anchorman Austin, and the personal information on the site includes the same birthdate listed in the UNC media guide for Austin. There are more than 300 photos on the account, mostly of Austin.
"AnchormanAustin" also was the name of Austin's popular Twitter account, which was shutdown shortly after UNC announced the NCAA investigation on July 15.
Austin has not been made available to the media since the launch of the investigation. A UNC spokesman said Sunday night that Austin is "off limits" to the media but added that Austin was not asked to remove his Twitter account or refrain from posting on Facebook.
Sunday's comments were only the second post from Marvin Anchorman Austin on the Facebook account since July 15, the other was a line from a Rick Ross song on Aug. 11.
The all-star defensive tackle attended Saturday's "Meet the Heels" day at Kenan Stadium. He was in good spirits, interacting with fans and laughing with teammates. He has been practicing with the second-team defense since the start of training camp on Aug. 6 because of what coach Butch Davis called the "uncertainty" of his situation.
No. 18 UNC opens with No. 21 LSU on Saturday in Atlanta. It's unclear whether Austin will play or make the trip with the team. UNC athletic director Dick Baddour said the school would determine the status of the players involved in the NCAA investigation if UNC does not hear from the NCAA before the game.
Austin, one of top NFL defensive tackle prospects in the country, has started 26 games and has nine career sacks. He registered a career-best 42 tackles in 2009.
Comments
No issue with this story
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 12:59 — Heels20As JPG said, we haven't heard the guy speak for months. If this is how he chooses to do so, then it's communication.
Agree
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 13:41 — unc098I would be surprised if JPG didn't cruise Facebook for leads on this story. Given the proclivity of Marv to mouth off on Twitter and all other media I would do the same thing in his shoes.The dude is just doing his job.
Heh, big surprise. I think
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 12:37 — mad_maxHeh, big surprise. I think it's safe to say that Austin is toast. What an embarassment...UNC should just get rid of this guy now, regardless of what happens with the investigations.
Also, if all you can post is how JPG and the N&O have stooped to a new low by using facebook posts for a story, then you obviously don't get it...just like Marvin! If this wasn't about possible wrong-doings at Carolina, all of you one-time posters would never think to post a comment ridiculing JPG's use of facebook quotes. Man up, and stop deflecting the real issue here.
If
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 11:23 — Heels20someone is questioning whether or not your wrote your own papers, please try to use grammar that resembles English.
Perhaps
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 11:36 — YAR8packPerhaps facebook (aka stalkerbook) doesn't have the spelling and grammar check option in its software? Poor, poor Marv.
Questioning Marvin's character
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 09:51 — JPDOhioSo, Marvin, if you want people to stop questioning your character, I have a suggestion. Stop posting self-absorbed drivel on your Facebook page and take responsibility for your foolish actions.
LOL @ the tarheel fans
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 09:15 — PuddentainApparently the best argument they can come up with is "you suck!"
Wonder
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 09:52 — YAR8packI wonder if Marvin helped the N&O setup the new 'Twitter' feature on its sports homepage.
Guaranteed Baddour and Butch are certainly shaking their heads in collective disgust over Marvin's most recent contribution to social media.
jpg
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 09:06 — golfer_68jpg you are joke. You have fun sneaking to unc on sat.
Sneaking?
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 10:14 — joegiglio (author)Nobody was sneaking on Saturday. It was an event open to the public.
Spent most of the event next to a member of the UNC sports information staff.
— JPG
4 posts by JPG...
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 23:54 — heelsno1in defense of or in repsonse to his own article? Geraldo...after all of your investiagtive work...are you lacking in confidence?
"heelsno1"
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 10:39 — joegiglio (author)"HeelsNo1,"
There are entire threads on the IC boards dedicated to insulting me. Feel free to join the reindeer games over there.
On my site, I'm going to interact with my readers and clarify or, if necessary, delete inappropriate comments.
Finally, the only one lacking confidence here is you, "heelsno1." As Herm Edwards said, "Be a man, put your name on it."
— "Geraldo"
look at the mane on this lion!
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 13:39 — gvillegatrRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAARRRRRRRRR!
LOL
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 15:12 — unc098LOLOLOL
Jpg
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 08:32 — unc098the Dudes just joining in for a little romp around the play room with us.
Perhaps
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 10:59 — PuddentainThat's not the best place to be if you're looking for a story?
Keep your friends close and
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 10:58 — ericpKeep your friends close and your enemies closer. Play the game until it's no longer time to play the game.
LOL! Just when one thinks
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 08:56 — ericpLOL! Just when one thinks the N & O can't get any lower old Giggles proves them wrong. The N & O has reduced themselves to a poor man's version of the Enquirer. What a joke.
Facebook??
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 08:40 — BBQManA facebook status update does not warrant an article in a newspaper. New low for the N&O. First twitter updates, now facebook. Is someone monitoring MySpace as well?
You realize
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 10:17 — joegiglio (author)You realize it's 2010, right?
Most athletes, whether it's Tiger Woods, Shaquille O'Neal, Chad Ochocinco or Marvin Austin, don't have a need for traditional media anymore.
Austin finally said something. That he chose to do it on his terms does not change the message or its meaning.
— JPG
nO EXplanations necessary
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 12:40 — JPDOhioIt is easy for people to criticize from the outside. They don't face the daily pressure of having to find something to write about. So, I don't think you have to explain yourself to anyone.
That said, it is good to see you participating in the dialogue on this site. I, for one, missed hearing from you. I look forward to more as the football and basketball seasons progress and also to kicking your butt in the College Football Face-Off.
College football face-off?
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 21:14 — gvillegatrWhere is this at?
g-ville
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 21:20 — unc098look on the home page of the sports section
Sweet
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 21:51 — mad_maxI'm in too.
Nice
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 21:22 — gvillegatrThx, 098.
Glad to help. It was fun to
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 22:08 — unc098Glad to help. It was fun to pick on some of the stretch games, Richmond vs Va. I took Richmond ( top 5 last year in sub div.) and almost went with Elon ( also top 5 ). VT and Boise??? Could be interesting.
I think Duke gets by Elon,
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 15:33 — mad_maxI think Duke gets by Elon, but you're right about the Virginia/Richmond game. Richmond has proven over the past few years that they can come in and hang with some of the 1A schools, and Virginia has made a habit out of losing to teams like Richmond early on in the year.
But hey, you wanna talk about week 1 upsets? How about Samford doing the unthinkable against FSU? Anyone buying the Bowden Curse? Haha
One never knows. Ha ! As to
Wed, 09/01/2010 - 08:24 — unc098One never knows. Ha !
As to the Elon vs Duke game. Don't be surprised if the Phoenix ( Elon ) doesn't give them a battle. They closed out the year very strong and are preseason top 5.
Yeah ! I agree with you about Richmond. It was my sleeper pick.
yea
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 13:37 — gvillegatrI balked at the Richmond and Elon games. Just went chalk. there will be plenty of time to "mix it up" as the season carry's on.
gville
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 15:13 — unc098I just can't help myself. I love these sub-D teams. There is some great football in the area ( Elon, App St, Richmond ) that gets very little press. Hey JPG theres a line for an article.
I think Va. is about as weak as they have been for some time and Richmond has a very good team. Remember App St. and Michigan.
I couldn't quite make it work for the Elon vs. Duke however.
I am going Boise St over VT.
Yeah
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 15:16 — Heels20I wasn't too high on the D-1AA teams, even though I think they'll put up a fight. Had to choose Boise, though. If the game were played at the end of the year, I would have picked VT, but Boise has an excellent QB and a ton of experience. The game will simply come down to how well VT can block and play D. There are a lot of questions, but that doesn't mean those questions can't be answered. However, until they are answered, I'm going with the Broncos.
Yes on Boise I think the
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 15:26 — unc098Yes on Boise
I think the overwhelming firepower at the beginning of the season will be to much for VT. I agree with you though about the end of the season. VT tends to come on pretty strong.
VT OVER bOISE
Wed, 09/01/2010 - 10:00 — JPDOhioI still think that Boise State is going to wilt in the DC heat and humidity. If Va Tech can keep it close, they will pull out the win. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.
why not?
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 10:05 — JPDOhioGiven the interest in this topic and the fact that UNC has shut down any contact with the affected players, JP and the N&O would be remiss if they didn't monitor these sites. I don't like or use social media personally, but I have to acknowledge their usefulness as a source of information.
Whether this Facebook posting was newsworthy is subject to legit debate. But given Marvin's welcome recent silence, the fact that he said anything is noteworthy. The tone of the message is revealing as well. The guy just doesn't get it.
Good points
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 10:22 — unc098And we are all somewhat culpable in creating these adolescent, self absorbed athletes with our devotion to their prime time abilities. He is just an immature kid who doesn't know sCRAP about life. I am fed up with these turkeys. As one poster says; I can see why he needs a tutor to write his papers. As you say the guy just doesn't get it. Its all about him and I guess he was feeling deprived of attention. Lose the dude. He is turning into some heavy baggage. So to speak!
Interesting how he acts as
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 08:11 — awdracerInteresting how he acts as if he's being persecuted. He personally brought this entire thing down on UNC. He couldn't just enjoy a few trips and some cash provided by an agent and then go on his merry way. He had to tell the world about it. Without Austin's tweets, agent-gate would never have been discovered. Without agent-gate, Nanny-gate would never have been found by the NCAA. Yes, despite what UNC says, the NCAA found the cheating scandal when reviewing emal accounts of football players.
It's also interesting and appropriate that most of the pictures on his facebook page are of himself.
Great Athletes Don't Fall...
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 08:07 — kevmcd86....but what do cupcake eating blobs of fatness do?
I can see why...
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 07:19 — MyDreamscapesAustin might need help writing a paper for class.
a new low
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 01:45 — mdhillisonReally N&O? REALLY? This is how you generate news here now... with facebook postings? Sad state of affairs if this is what it has come to over there to have something to post.
Given
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 05:53 — joegiglio (author)Given Austin's silence, when he makes public comments, regardless of the medium, it qualifies as news.
— JPG
Good work JPG, but...
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 08:52 — PuddentainThis is really the first piece of news that I've read first at the N&O (more popularly known to some wags as the daily tarheel, Raleigh edition)
When are you guys going to start breaking the news? I'd much rather "read it here first" as has been happening with the N&O's SBI probe and recent probes of malfeasance in state government. Most of what I've read in the N&O about the unc ncaa probe showed up somewhere else the week before.
Can't break them all but ...
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 10:20 — joegiglio (author)... Cam Thomas?
— JPG
As to who paid?
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 10:33 — PuddentainThat was a good one.
Agreed
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 08:40 — PuddentainEspecially since MA and social media is how this whole thing got started.
for sure #2
Sun, 08/29/2010 - 23:04 — izzykareemsounds like he's a little bitter about something he's experienced from the "Carolina Family".
Well
Sun, 08/29/2010 - 22:17 — Heels20This can't be good news.
For sure.
Sun, 08/29/2010 - 22:46 — unc098For sure.