Gary Wichard, agent at center of UNC scandal dies?

UNC Scandal32

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Numerous sources have confirmed that Gary Wichard, the agent at the center of the UNC football scandal, has passed away.

Wichard founded his professional agency, Pro Tect Management, in 1980; in the subsequent three decades he represented dozens of top-level NFL stars, including Dwight Freeney and Brian Bosworth.

He fell under scrutiny, however, for his close relationships with college coaches—including John Blake, the UNC assistant who allegedly worked as Wichard’s “runner,” funneling players to Pro Tect Management before they were allowed to deal with agencies at all.

Wichard had been suffering from health problems for months, anda spokesperson from Pro Tect confirmed that he passed away on Friday. WCHL will update this story with additional information as it becomes available.

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UNC Scandal

32 Responses to Gary Wichard, agent at center of UNC scandal dies?

  1. Rochester 03/11/2011 at 6:42 PM #

    So they’re off the hook, right?

  2. Hungwolf 03/11/2011 at 6:45 PM #

    Soon to be released statement from the Hill: “We are a proud university and can assure our fans, students, and coaches that we knew nothing of Wichard problems and had nothing to do with his death. We cannot be responsible for what players or previous coaches that we fired may have done. Mr. Wichard’s death is not our fault, that responsibilty rests with players that are no longer part of our university, it is their fault!”

    Signed: Chief, Badodor, and Pee Wee Torpe

  3. TOBtime 03/11/2011 at 6:45 PM #

    ^^john that just cracked me up.

    Intersting timing to say the least. Perhaps some of the foot-dragging bu unx makes sense now? Wonder how long they’ve known he was in such bad shape? It’s a cold presumption but there is absolutely nothing I would put past the big-money decision makers in the hole.

  4. packalum44 03/11/2011 at 6:46 PM #

    Putting aside human sympathy for a moment, I’d have to imagine this is terrific news if you are a hole. He would have been subpoenaed. What the F…

  5. wufpup76 03/11/2011 at 7:54 PM #

    RIP.

    All this stuff is so bizarre. Just timing and excuses and now unfortunately death.

    Even if nothing else comes of this ‘scandal’ for the holes, they’re going to have a hard time distancing themselves from all this – at least locally.

  6. tuckerdorm1983 03/11/2011 at 8:01 PM #

    Jack Ruby

  7. MrPlywood 03/11/2011 at 8:34 PM #

    @TOBtime – my thoughts exactly

  8. anonimus 03/11/2011 at 8:47 PM #

    beat me to it tuckerdorm1983

  9. john of sparta 03/11/2011 at 8:53 PM #

    4 corners Defense?

  10. Radman 03/11/2011 at 9:19 PM #

    This confirms it…God is a tarheel.

  11. Wufpacker 03/11/2011 at 9:47 PM #

    ^ I’ve been knowing that.

  12. Sweet jumper 03/11/2011 at 9:52 PM #

    This would make a good Grisham novel.

  13. Pack Mentality 03/11/2011 at 10:11 PM #

    John Blake better watch his back. Now he is top witness against UNC.

    Snitch Little, you better keep your mouth shut. Man tits needs to keep his twitter silent too.

    Who else needs a lesson.

    – the 3 Amigos

  14. MrPlywood 03/11/2011 at 10:16 PM #

    It was a “year-long battle with pancreatic cancer”. On the completely insensitive conspiracy theory side, it’s not a stretch for me to think that the delay tactics of UNX was a strategy based in part on his condition. I have no problem thinking that they could be that cold and calculating in order to save their own asses.

    That said, condolences to his family – I didn’t know the guy, but I’ve lost a family member to cancer and that’s never good.

  15. Wufpacker 03/11/2011 at 10:22 PM #

    “On the completely insensitive conspiracy theory side, it’s not a stretch for me to think that the delay tactics of UNX was a strategy based in part on his condition. I have no problem thinking that they could be that cold and calculating in order to save their own asses.”

    Count me in on the insensitivity, here. Pancreatic cancer is pretty much a death sentence, and I currently know of no way to “induce” it. But them having knowledge and playing the waiting game isn’t beyond possibility, but I’d suspect he was deposed long ago.

    I am curious why no one spoke of his pancreatic cancer sooner, however. I mean, he’s not exactly a celebrity but he has been in the news quite a bit lately. And yet, nary a mention. That’s what I find a bit odd.

  16. Tuffy2 03/12/2011 at 2:30 AM #

    First off Hello Tuckerdorm1983.

    Second, I have to say the tarheels remind me of a movie where the bad guy gets away with shit all throughout until the last scene. I may or may not be here to see it but when that inevitable day arrives it’s going to be a 9.6 or higher for the Holes.

  17. 8pack 03/12/2011 at 2:46 AM #

    Dude is probably on an island somewhere right now with Tupac and Elvis.

  18. Wufpacker 03/12/2011 at 5:59 AM #

    ^ Why? Can he sing? I hope he sung to the NCAA after he sang to the NFLPA canned his arse (or maybe he sang before that and that’s why they canned him? I can dream….)

  19. Wufpacker 03/12/2011 at 6:01 AM #

    ^ Edit function no workie. Supposed to say “I hope he sang to the NCAA after the NFLPA canned his arse”.

  20. graywolf 03/12/2011 at 9:27 AM #

    Really interesting. Conspiracy or coincidence its interesting. Did he cover or talk before his death. If he really had pancreatic cancer as mentioned did he try to make right any wrongs before his coming death or is there something really sinister here?

    Are the powers that be at UNC-Cheat that low…….

    Will we ever know the real truth?

  21. Wufpacker 03/12/2011 at 9:47 AM #

    How interesting would it become if it was learned that his recently diagnosed pancreatic cancer was briefly treated at UNC Hospitals?

  22. Wolfy__79 03/12/2011 at 10:30 AM #

    it’s sad that someone has died, despite his earthly actions. my sympathies are with his family.

    i think there are alot of things that could read into this but i heard the investigating officials say the investigation will continue. the records if needed are more tangible now than ever.. the wheels were set in motion long ago.

    the root of the problem is not with the agent, it’s on campus. there are a ton of agents willing to do exactly the same. if they dig on campus, then they will discover if what we all feel is true is real!

  23. Wolfy__79 03/12/2011 at 10:33 AM #

    but it is suprising that the public wasn’t made aware of his health concerns.. i’m sure the people investigating knew.. that’s not easily hidden. but does provide evidence of the local media’s lack of involvement here. i could more thoroughly cover this story.. just by shopping the internet!

  24. SeanSullivan 03/12/2011 at 1:19 PM #

    I cannot believe some of the comments I am reading. My fellow fans, you are letting your hatred turn you. You truly cannot believe UNC had something to do with his death? That is just unsightly, unclassy, and unacceptable.

  25. Pack Mentality 03/12/2011 at 3:23 PM #

    I’m very glad to hear that so many people here care so greatly for Wichard and his family. Maybe you can make up for me, cause I sure as hell don’t.

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