In Lubbock, Texas, a legal battle unfolds as Brendan Sorsby, a transfer quarterback for Texas Tech, awaits a judge’s ruling on his eligibility to play next season. Sorsby, who has admitted to making thousands of impermissible bets while in college, is seeking an injunction against the NCAA’s decision to declare him permanently ineligible.
Legal Proceedings and Arguments
The case was presented before Senior Judge Ken Curry, but no immediate ruling was made. Sorsby’s attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, requested a decision by June 15, which coincides with the deadline for Sorsby to apply for the NFL supplemental draft if he remains ineligible to play for the Red Raiders. Kessler argued that Sorsby, diagnosed with a gambling addiction, was not motivated by financial gain and that playing football would aid his mental health recovery.
NCAA lead attorney Taylor Askew countered, questioning how returning to college football would benefit Sorsby’s mental health, given his history of gambling violations. The NCAA received a tip about Sorsby’s gambling activities in March, leading to an investigation and his subsequent ineligibility ruling.
Details of Sorsby’s Betting
Court documents reveal that Sorsby placed thousands of bets totaling at least $90,000 during his college years, including 40 bets on Indiana football games while he was on the team. Although he did not bet on games he played in, his actions still violated NCAA rules. After transferring to Cincinnati, he continued betting, providing over $60,000 to a friend for a shared FanDuel account.
Texas Tech’s Support for Sorsby
Texas Tech announced Sorsby’s indefinite leave of absence for a residential treatment program in April. Head Coach Joey McGuire expressed support, stating that Sorsby could participate in offseason workouts upon his return. The school has appealed the NCAA’s denial of Sorsby’s reinstatement, emphasizing the importance of his participation in the upcoming season, which begins on September 5 against Abilene Christian.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
