In his first public comments since being charged with attempted armed robbery, former Tennessee receiver Nu'Keese Richardson said he had nothing to do with the NCAA in its investigation into some of the school's football recruiting practices.
"I'm not involved in that," Richardson said Thursday.
Richardson declined to comment on his ongoing legal issues, which resulted from him allegedly holding up two men at a convenient store on Cumberland Avenue, but said his next court proceeding is in January.
Richardson, who was dismissed from UT last month, said he still hopes to play college football again.
"I've been talking to a few people," he said. "I'm not sure yet."
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Comments » 36
mike_d writes:
Im sure im in the minority of all the hater, poster, internet world. But, I hope the best for all young people. And I hope he learns from his mistakes and does good things.
mborovol writes:
Good luck Nuke, hope you get your life together....
FEARinSEC writes:
You know, armed robbery and all, I hope Nuke gets his poop together and becomes a responsible, law abiding, asset to society!
If not, SKA-ROOOO NUKE!!!!
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
I've tried to hope for the best for Richardson, but I cannot. I was robbed at gunpoint in 2007 (in a carjacking) and almost shot. As far as I'm concerned, Richardson and all cowards like him can go to he** and rot.
Let's be clear, Richardson did more than just make a "mistake." College football players make mistakes all the time: get girlfriends pregnant, test positive for drugs, or (in the extreme)drive drunk. What Nu'Keese did was more than a "mistake." He made the conscious decision to become a predator and victimize a complete stranger. Whilst so doing, he reinforced the negative stereotype of the out-of-control young, black male. His actions hurt not only himself, but his friends, his family, his community, and the victims who are only referred to as footnotes in Richardson's fall from grace story (oh, and just because one of the victims had a serious case of misplaced priorities, that doesn't mean he was less of a victim).
If it were up to me, Richardson would never be allowed to exchange playing football for a free education or play sports professionally. He should be subject to the same academic and financial burdens that every other non-athlete deals with on a daily basis. In my opinion, he has revoked his right to benefit financially from his ability to jump high, run fast, and catch a football.
(Before the govols.com staff decides to delete or hide this post, please actually consider that while this post contains my personal vitriol, it is not obscene, abusive, or threatening. It is simply the contra position to many of those who are supportive/optimistic of Richardson and it deserves to be heard.)
rockytopatl writes:
The sad thing is that his grandmother wanted him to come to Knoxville to get away from the gangs in Florida. He found his own gang once he got to school.
Let's hope he learns from his mistake.
cincivol writes:
Dude just shut your pie hole and cry on talk radio or something!!!
us43137415#376444 writes:
Amen, brother. Your post is probably the only post I've ever read in this newspaper that I agree with, 100%.
I, too, was the victim of a carjacking 20 years ago, that ended right there at that exact same Pilot Station on Cumberland Avenue at 1:30 in the morning on a Saturday. My idiot had a knife and had jumped in my car at an ATM in South Knoxville. He had that knife to my side all the time he was in my car. He wanted me to drive him to Nashville because he said the Knoxville cops were looking for him.. I tricked him into thinking that I needed gas to drive that far. When I pulled up to the gas pumps at that Pilot, I immediately jumped out with my keys and started yelling. The stupid, confused idiot just sat there, cussing a blue streak, and then the cops showed up. Turns out the cops wanted him for aggravated armed robbery, aggravated rape and attempted murder, so they dropped my carjacking charge to send his butt to jail for life..
I cannot, and will not, have compassion for Richardson or Edwards. You're serious about robbery, even if you use a fake gun or a bb gun. God will judge them, not me. Just get them out of my sight. Our two stories need to be sent to any school who offers them a free ride again. I could think of so many other things to say, running through my mind about how the victims in their case acted. I thought I was going to die. Dude could have stabbed me, taken my car, dumped my body somewhere on Rockwood Mountain on his way to Nashville, and only the bears and buzzards would know where I was.
Once a thug, always a thug.
Good luck to you. I pray God gives you the peace in your mind you need. 20 years later, I'm still working on it.
timetofireclk writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Fossilfiction writes:
Your still around? Thought you gave up and went back under rock.
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
Get your facts straight so that you don't sound like an idiot. Jackson didn't "get off" because he was a star...he got off because the police were unable to find evidence that he was involved in the crime. Richardson was kicked off the team because he held a gun in somebody's face, demanded money, and the evidence against him is strong.
Second, Daniel Hood was 13 years old (not an adult like Richardson) when his cousin was victimized. Hood was convicted because he helped tie her up and didn't get help when it was apparent that she needed it, but he didn't actively rape her. She was raped by a 17 year old that wasn't related to her (he is in prison serving 10 years). After the rape, Hood spent the next 5 years of his life doing nothing but getting good grades and staying out of trouble. UT recruiters received a letter, written by Hood's cousin (the victim) encouraging UT to let him on the team. Comparing the actions of a 13 year old kid that hasn't received a scholarship with the actions of an 18 year old adult that has received a scholarship is ridiculous.
As for UT turning on Richardson...hell yes we turned on Richardson. We'll turn on any other idiot who decides to take a full ride scholarship to our University and turn the campus into his own, private grand theft auto. If Hood throws the slightest crude remark at a female, we'll turn on him too. Any recruit that is looking for unconditional love and affection no matter what they do needs to seek a scholarship in the Florida or Southern California region.
As for living in a glass house, I'll be happy to throw the first stone. I've never robbed or assaulted anyone in my entire life. I've never raped anyone or been involved in a rape. Obviously, you aren't appreciating the nature of the crime Richardson committed, but that's ok. He's gone and soon UT will have washed its hands of him.
WaltGoVols writes:
I hope he has a great career somewhere.
Walt
UT '81
paul5170 writes:
People like you is whats wrong with this Great Country now!!!!
paul5170 writes:
Your mother said thats where they found you.(under rock)
The1 writes:
INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY !!!!! I agree that in some cases, it's pretty obvious what happened, but let's not forget this fundamental constitutional right.
TommyJack writes:
For all you mopes that want to get a rope, TJ says he hopes the kid learns from this and builds a good life.
KennyPowers_UTfan writes:
Speaking of stealing recruits, Cody Riggs committed to Florida over Tennessee, and he had UT roots (Garald Riggs).
I wonder if Gator Nation is freaking out about this the way we did over "stealing" Nukeese?
thevoice writes:
OJ would love this one.
volfan53 writes:
It is a pretty sad state of affairs when we cannot forgive people for making mistakes. Yes he made a serious mistake and is paying for it. Should we forgive him? Yes. If you cannot forgive someone for making a mistake then I challenge you to look back on your life and see how many mistakes you made (you know you made mistakes) and imagine how it would be if nobody ever forgave you. To those of you who have been involved in violent crimes and are still having problems I suggest you get some counseling to help you with this problem. No one should carry a burden like that for so long. You need help to let it go.
I am not saying forget what has been done but we need to forgive and try to help this person become a productive member of society.
volsoutwest writes:
Sir, In no way would I try and judge you for your opinion or feelings. What you experienced must have really been traumatic and I pray for your complete healing. I do, however, take some exception to the statement about once a thug always a thug. Though this is most likely true most of the time, it is not true all of the time. There are countless examples of people being rehabbed even by purely secular measures. But to go further ( I know this is not a religious forum so I'll keep it succinct) God is able to change people. I remember at least two murderers in the Bible(Moses and King David) who later did some pretty great things for God and society. So thugs do have a chance with the proper direction and help. But in any case, I wish you continued healing and may God Bless you and yours.
Now since this is a football forum let me add: Go Vols and beat them Hokies!!!
Coach_Joe writes:
long_vol, I disagree with your statement that you are a liberal. Even a social liberal. Never once in my life have I heard of a liberal requesting the death penalty on anyone other than a baby in the womb. Therefore, how can you call yourself a liberal?
Second, I don't believe in athiests. So....I guess that means you don't really exist!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Or at least get's a better MO.
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
I happen to agree with what he said, so take your own advice, poser.
Oklahoma_Vol_Fan writes:
Cincivol, Maybe if you were in VolAlum2003's shoes you might feel a little differently. For the most part I enjoy reading posts, I learn a lot, sometimes posters like you that hide behind a keyboard are the reason I do not enjoy reading posts. I am a Vol Fan.
FearTheVols1252 writes:
You probably also predicted another national championship for Florida… look how that turned out.
FearTheVols1252 writes:
I got carjacked twice at gunpoint in a 3-month period working for Papa John’s while at UT 15 years ago. You know what? I got over it. You all should too.
Nuke has 2 choices – get his life turned around or spend the next 15-20 getting his poop pushed in. It’s his choice.
volaboard writes:
"... his ability to jump high, run fast, and catch a football."
I never saw that the kid was all that fast. After all the hype, I was a little disappointed that Richardson looked a step slow on the field.
murrayvol writes:
That outcome would be much better for him, his family, and society as a whole. Hope it happens.
NFL_Fan writes:
I hope this kid never gets to play football again. I lived in the fort for a year. There were four armed roberies in my apartment complex in a month. A girl was walking to the dumpster to throw away her garbage, and was clubbed in the back of the head and drug to an ally way. She got away because she had pepper spray. Stuff like this happens every night in the fort.
I was never personally robbed, but I think about it and it scares me to think that my wife could have been that girl who almost got raped or robbed.
This kid is a criminal, and he doesn't deserve to have the privelage of playing football for a university. Let him go back where he came from, and give another player who actually values education, hard work, and human life. I would rather have a team full of role model players who were good in talent than a team full of gangsters who are awesome anyday.
golfin_blondie writes:
Well I too was a victim of crime. Someone fire bombed by home trying to send a message to my friend (I thought) daughter because they thought she was at my home. Guess what they were wrong I was here. But the point is here....I do wish him the best and hope that he does get his life together especially if he does get another chance. Life is too short to have ill feelings toward anyone....but on the other side if he continues then I have no mercey on him.
tennrich1 writes:
Certainly, we could all hope this for Nuke...unforunately the stats dont prove this to be the case most of the time....punishment needs to be swift, severe and appropriate...THEN in time maybe he can turn it around...for society sake...i sure hope so...because at the present time, our kids are OUT OF CONTROL...generally speaking...
volnutz writes:
Nuke, I'm wishing you good luck and reminding you that for the most part you make your own luck. I just hope and pray that with Gods help you get it together and make something of yourself.
KevDVol writes:
Richardson and Edwards were given the chance for a college education and a potential NFL career. They were provided with food, clothing, shelter and a safer environment than the one they grew up in. Hopefully, the kids from Pahokee and similar places will learn from Richardson's idiotic and tragic example.
Armed robbery is too serious of an offense to go unpunished (legally speaking). Edwards and Richardson have already been socially and financially punished. After they pay their legal debt to society, perhaps they can rebuild the lives that they potentially destroyed. They should consider themselves lucky that their victims were unarmed. Time will tell if they were just seriouly immature and stupid or incorrigible thugs.
macman2 writes:
I think everything you said makes sense only if you have never made a mistake. Everyone deserves a second chance and probably a third chance. Even you. I recommend you ponder the statement "throwing the baby out with the bath water" as a start.
favor1 writes:
Nuk you and Edwards keep your heads up and if you both have repented for this wrong doing and really sincerely mean it you will be successful, and have a second chance. I hope and pray that you and Edwards can show the negative people that feel you all dont deserve a second chance who you really are. GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS.
Willis writes:
Cut your hair NuKeys.
volsfan33 writes:
just a kid that made a stupid mistake. Needs to let the justice system do its thing, do the time and pull his life back together.... Nuke needs to get his life in order then worry about football.... wasted potential is a sad thing..
Hope it works out for him in the long run.
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