Vols' receiver accepted $1,300 from agent, appeal says

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - Tennessee receiver Donte Stallworth received nearly $1,300 in extra benefits from an agent after declaring himself eligible for the NFL draft, according to the university&#39;s appeal to the NCAA. <br> <br> The university is appealing to the NCAA to give Stallworth, a junior, another year of eligibility after he changed his mind about the draft and decided he wanted to remain at the university for another year. <br> <br> According to NCAA rules, a college football player loses his amateur status once he asks to be placed on a draft list - even if he later asks that his name be removed, as Stallworth did hours before the 5 p.m. deadline Jan. 11. <br> <br> A player also loses amateur status by signing with or accepting gifts from an agent. According to the university&#39;s appeal, obtained by The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Stallworth has not reached an oral or written agreement with an agent. <br> <br> But the appeal discloses that Stallworth accepted numerous gifts from Memphis agent Jimmy Sexton, including $980 for one-way airline transportation for Stallworth&#39;s brother from California to Tennessee and $151.92 for a one-day car rental. <br> <br> Stallworth has made full restitution for the $1,282.12 in benefits. <br> <br> Sexton declined comment when reached by phone Wednesday evening. <br> <br> Stallworth has an unlisted telephone number and could not be reached for comment Wednesday night. His mother, Donna, of Sacramento, Calif., said late Wednesday night she has not seen the appeal the university sent. <br> <br> ``We haven&#39;t heard anything yet,&#39;&#39; she told The Associated Press, declining further comment. <br> <br> Stallworth received the benefits after declaring himself eligible for the draft Jan. 10 but before notifying the NFL on Jan. 11 that he had changed his mind and wished to remain at UT. <br> <br> The plane ticket is dated Jan. 11 but was obtained before Stallworth changed his mind. <br> <br> In its appeal, UT states Stallworth ``did not intentionally violate a NCAA rule because he only accepted benefits after he signed his NFL petition. None of the benefits were received after the Friday deadline.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> A significant part of the appeal discusses the fact that Stallworth is on schedule to graduate in December. He is still short 34 credits. <br> <br> Athletics Director Doug Dickey said school officials ``were hopeful that the NCAA staff and eligibility people will look at this favorably for Donte and his interest in staying in school at the University of Tennessee.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The NCAA could approve Stallworth&#39;s petition or reject it and forward the case to the NCAA reinstatement committee.