Report: Oklahoma dismisses starting quarterback

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -Oklahoma starting quarterback Rhett Bomar was kicked off the team Wednesday after an investigation revealed he broke NCAA rules through his employment at a local business, according to a television report.

Oklahoma confirmed that two players had been dismissed by the team but did not identify them. The school said in a statement that the players violated NCAA rules by working at a private business and taking "payment over an extended period of time in excess of time actually worked."

Oklahoma City television station KWTV reported that Bomar, who set an Oklahoma freshman record with 2,018 passing yards after taking over as the Sooners' starter in the second game last season, was one of the two players who had been permanently dismissed. Oklahoma City television station KOCO reported that Bomar's roommate, offensive lineman J.D. Quinn, was the second player.

Kenny Mossman, associate athletic director for communications at OU, confirmed two players were dismissed but did not identify them. Phone messages left with Bomar's father, Jerry Bomar, weren't immediately returned.

"We spend a considerable amount of time addressing our players regarding their personal conduct and the NCAA rules," head coach Bob Stoops said in a statement. "They know exactly what we expect from them. Ultimately, they have to make right decisions. The same holds true for our boosters. When they do not, the consequences are serious, and we will not tolerate this behavior.

"Our team and university actions are necessary because of the intentional participation and knowledge of the student athletes in these violations," Stoops said.

Players were not allowed to talk to the media after an afternoon meeting at the football complex. Security guards watched as players, among them Adrian Peterson and Paul Thompson, walked from campus football offices to a team dinner.

The dismissed players apparently worked for a Norman-based car dealership, although Jeff Atkins, an attorney for that dealership's current owner, David Hudiburg, said that it was not possible to confirm whether Bomar or Quinn worked at the dealership without previous company records, which Hudiburg - who took over management of the dealership in April - does not own.

"We do believe they probably did (work at the dealership)," Atkins said. "We have people who tell us they did."

Atkins released a statement Wednesday that said that since Hudiburg bought the dealership, "Big Red Sports and Imports has not employed any athletes from the University of Oklahoma. All the current allegations involve conduct under the previous ownership and management."

He said that the dealership's current ownership has complied with all of OU's requests for information related to the situation.

"We don't know a lot, other than that we had nothing to do with it," Atkins said.

Atkins said the dealership's previous owner was Mike Donohue and its manager was Brad McRae.