Jimbo Fisher clarifies viral video of Texas A&M staffer promoting NIL to recruits

Amidst the Jimbo Fisher vs. Nick Saban NIL feud, a key piece of ‘evidence’ came out in the time after against Texas A&M. A video that was posted didn’t help A&M’s case regarding alleged payment in order to secure their No. 1 recruiting class. In the clip, one of the personnel handling a visit made a comment regarding the seats at Kyle Field. It specifically came across that those who sit in the upper seats would be willing to pay the recruits money if they were to play for the Aggies.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought you weren't suppose to talk about money on these recruiting trips?

"Yall getting a lot of money from the people behind these suites if you decide to come play here"

Inducement?

"NiL hAd nOtHiNg tO dO WiTh iT"#GigEm #CFB @NCAA pic.twitter.com/bsSpAoRIOX

— Ewers Barber (@EwersBarber) June 30, 2022

Fisher addressed the video today during his press conference at SEC Media Day. He said the personnel had only been with the program for a month and simply misspoke when conveying his point.

“No, that’s not what he said. He was a young guy that’d been there about a month. What he meant was the guys behind those seats are what pay for your program. Those are donators and boosters is how he meant it and how he spoke.”

The video further strengthened the growing sentiment that A&M had utilized NIL unethically to obtain the No. 1 class in On3’s 2022 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings. With the confusing nature NIL still has, though, Jimbo Fisher didn’t want this person’s words to be misconstrued. It’s a phrase that they eventually tell all their recruits about those who support the Aggie football program. He made sure to set the record straight about the clip and the staffer’s words when asked about it in Atlanta.

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“Do we all have NIL? Yes we do. That is what he was meaning. It’s a thing we say with all recruits,” said Fisher. “The guys behind those seats are the guys who pay for our program and what we do. That’s what it was. He’d been there one month.”