Agent Under Investigation

May 5, 1999 / 9:47 PM EDT / AP

Two weeks ago, agent Tank Black celebrated a record day at the NFL draft by having five of his clients selected in the first round.

Now he's down to three.

Four former University of Florida players, including first-round picks Jevon Kearse and Reggie McGrew, recently fired Black because he is under investigation by the University of Florida Police Department and the NFL Players Association for possible violations of sports agents laws.

Second-round picks Johnny Rutledge and Mike Peterson also fired Black. Kearse, McGrew and Rutledge signed with agent Leigh Steinberg. Peterson signed with Total Entertainment and Athlete Management in Miami.

Black, who is based in Columbia, said he doesn't blame the players for leaving after the way they've been treated in the investigation. He has hired a lawyer and will try to recover lost income. Agents receive a maximum 3 percent of a player's contract.

"Normally, when players leave, it's something that the agent has done wrong to either the player or the family or not made good on something," Black said in The (Columbia) State today. "None of that's happened here. None of it.

"It's the environment that's been created (by the investigation) that has caused these players to leave."

According to the players' association, Black has been under investigation since Jan. 29. He was accused of having a runner try to bribe an LSU assistant football coach to help him land defensive tackle Anthony McFarland.

But until April 14, the week of the draft, neither Black nor any of the players was questioned.

On April 14, Black said the players were told they had to testify the next day. He said several were pulled over by police to be subpoenaed. They were subpoenaed again after the draft for further questioning.

Reamining with Black are: Louisiana Tech wide receiver Troy Edwards, 13th pick of the draft by Pittsburgh; Tennessee linebacker Al Wilson, first-round pick of the Denver Broncos; and Clemson cornerback Antuan Edwards, first-round pick by Green Bay.

Edwards, recovering from toe surgery, said he has concerns.

"It's been in the back of my head," Edwards said. "He's got some issues that haven't been resolved. Until they get resolved, I'm going to stay with him."

Black founded Professional Management Inc., in 1988 and made former South Carolina and Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe his first client. Before the Florida players left, he represented seven of the top 46 players selected in the April 17-18 draft.

Among his other clients are Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, Packers wide receiver Robert Brooks and Toronto Raptors guard Vince Carter, a leading candidate for NBA rookie of the year.

This is the first time Black has been accused of wrongdoing.

The players' association, according to executive director Gene Upshaw, expects the results of itinvestigation to be announced soon.