AUSTIN -- As the debate over whether or how much college football players should be paid, former Texas Longhorns quarterback Chris Simms said he "may have gotten a few $100 handshakes" while playing at UT.
"They didn't pay me, but there may have been cash going around to some other players," Simms said as a fill-in host on CBSSports Radio, CBSSports.com reported. "I'm not going to deny that. I may have gotten a few $100 handshakes every now and then to sign some autographs for alumni."
Simms continued, "I don't care how rich your upbringing was. Yes, I grew up with a silver spoon, but if you give me a few extra $100 as a college kid, that's great."
Simms played at UT from 1999-2002 so the statute of limitations for the NCAA to investigate such issues has long since passed. However, it's not the best light to shine on the university as the school battles allegations of academic fraud made by the Chronicle of Higher Education.
The issue of athletes getting paid for their autographs has popped up in the past few seasons, primarily surrounding former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel and former Georgia running back Todd Gurley.
ESPN's Outside the Lines program said Manziel took part in multiple autograph sessions for dealers and signed more than 4,400 items. The NCAA said Manziel did not accept money for the autographs and he was suspended for the first half of the Aggies' season opener in 2013.
According to ESPN, The NCAA said Gurley accepted $3,000 to autograph memorabilia last season. He was suspended from playing for the Bulldogs for four games last year. Gurley tore the ACL in his knee when he returned from the suspension. He left school for the NFL at the end of the 2014 season and was a first-round draft pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams.
