Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Heisman Trophy winners Cam Newton and Mark Ingram are among 20 college football players the NFL Players Association says plan to participate in its events on the same three days as the NFL draft.
The “NFLPA Rookie Debut” from April 28-30 is slated to involve more than 20 current or former NFL players, including Rams quarterback Sam Bradford, Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew, Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall, and Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk, Eric Dickerson andWarren Moon.
A dinner in New York on April 28 from 4-6 p.m., ends two hours before the draft begins.
The NFLPA calls its event “a celebration of legacy — of past, present and future football players coming together to honor those making the journey from prospect to professional.”
While this year’s draftees are no longer considered amateurs, the NFL forwarded a note on Monday to the players warning of potential NCAA violations at draft parties.
The letter from NCAA director of player security services Dena Garner emphasizes that players not eligible for this year’s draft can’t receive benefits or services such as travel, lodging, meals or entertainment if they attend such parties. Each college athlete must pay for all of those things or he could violate NCAA rules.
In bold letters, Garner writes: “Please do not jeopardize the NCAA eligibility of your friends or former teammates.”
Several player agents say they have seen the letter.
-ESPN