A year removed from a suspension that cost him his senior season at North Carolina, Browns rookie receiver Greg Little does not hide from his past or his role in the scandal that cost former Browns coach Butch Davis his job at UNC.
![greglittle.jpg]()
John Kuntz, The Plain DealerBrowns receiver Greg Little and head coach Pat Shurmur converse regularly to ensure that the rookie handles success better at the professional level than he did in college at North Carolina.The light-blue North Carolina football jersey bearing the No. 8 hangs in the locker of Greg Little at the Browns' practice facility.
Given the dubious ending to his Tar Heels' career, the presence of the game-worn garment is open to interpretation: A show of school pride or an airing of dirty laundry?
A year removed from a suspension that cost the rookie receiver his senior season for accepting improper benefits, Little doesn't hide from his past or his role in the scandal that cost former Browns' coach Butch Davis his job at UNC.
"That's me," Little said of his jersey. "I let them know, too. If someone wants to talk some noise, I will give it right back to them."
The 6-2, 220-pound Little has emerged as Colt McCoy's most reliable target among a pedestrian Browns receiving corps. He enters Sunday's game at Cincinnati with the most catches (42) among NFL rookies, despite not scoring a touchdown.
Although he lacks game-breaker speed, he possesses good hands and a willingness to run into high-traffic areas that can quicken the pulse and shorten the arms of some receivers. The charismatic Little keeps teammates loose with humor and opposing defensive backs and linebackers honest with crunching blocks.
"Offensive linemen don't like to see receivers who are pretty boys that are afraid to get hit," Browns tackle Joe Thomas said. "It's great to have a guy who has an offensive lineman's mentality."
Little's reputation has taken its share of hard knocks, too.
He was a focal point of a UNC and NCAA probe that saw 14 Tar Heels miss at least one game in 2010 and seven banished for the entire season.
He was ruled ineligible for accepting about $5,000 in impermissible benefits and not being truthful with investigators. As the university awaits an NCCA ruling, it has already self-imposed sanctions that include placing the program on two years of probation, forfeiting three scholarships in each of the next three seasons and vacating a total of 16 wins from the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
Losing the privilege to wear the jersey in 2010 has taught Little lessons about patience and dealing with success, he said. It also reminded him about the credo of his former high school football coach -- one he failed to heed, but now repeats to school-age kids as he talks about his wrongdoings:
"What you do in the dark is always going to come to light," he said.
Nowhere to hide Little is one of countless redacted names to appear in NCAA notices of allegations in recent years. From tattoos in Columbus to booze cruises aboard yachts in Miami, violations at major-college programs are being reported with alarming frequency.
While many can leave the controversy on campus for the embrace of their hometown, Little had nowhere to seek refuge. He lived in Durham, N.C., about 12 miles from the Chapel Hill campus.
Little was the local prep hero who had passed on offers from top schools across the country. He made a verbal commitment to Notre Dame, but he opted to play for the Tar Heels in hope of returning the program to national prominence.
Everyone around town knew of the good story gone sour and followed the scandal as it unfurled in the summer of 2010.
"I was faced with fire, and I had to stand in it," he said. "It's something I had to accept and confront head-on."
Little grew up in a strong home environment, the son of two college-educated parents, Gail and Greg Sr. His father owns a vending-machine company, and his mom works as hospital administrator.
Friends and high school coaches said Little resisted the temptations awaiting students outside the walls of Hillside High School. He stayed out of trouble and entertained classmates with his wit and spontaneity.
Little played multiple sports and allowed coaches to move him anywhere on the football field. He was used as a receiver, running back, defensive back and linebacker. College recruiters loved his size and versatility.
Many of the nation's top college coaches visited Hillside, and Hornets coach Ray Harrison was impressed by how passionately Little lobbied on behalf of teammates to recruiters. Twelve players from his senior class earned scholarships, including seven to Division I-A schools.
Several people, including his best friend and high school quarterback, Michael Johnson, said they were surprised Little chose UNC.
"I liked the idea of going to a nontraditional football program," Little said. "And I knew coach Davis had the ability to turn around programs like he did at Miami."
Little became close with Davis and his family. The wideout remains in contact with the coach's son, Drew, a high school quarterback, playing online video games with him. Little said he hasn't spoken to Davis since his firing.
The former Browns coach couldn't be reached for comment. He has maintained a low profile other than releasing a YouTube clip on Nov. 15 in which he defended himself in the allegations against the school. Davis denies knowledge of a friendship between former UNC assistant John Blake and an NFL agent, which is part of the NCAA probe.
Little had thrived under Davis during his junior season, catching a team-high 62 passes and moving onto the NFL Draft radar. He was eager to return for his senior season to make a run at a BCS bowl game.
But in March 2010, a Twitter post from UNC teammate Marvin Austin detailing a party allegedly hosted by an agent and attended by Austin and Little piqued the NCAA's curiosity.
Based on information gathered by UNC and the NCAA, Little had accepted diamond earrings as well as travel accommodations for the Bahamas, Washington D.C., and two trips to Miami, among other benefits.
"I knew it was wrong, but as you get away with it, you tend to do it more," Little said. "In some ways, I'm glad I got caught when I did."
Former UNC receiver Hakeem Nicks, now with the New York Giants, supplied Little with $3,188 worth of benefits, according to NCAA documents. The (Raleigh, N.C.) News & Observer reported that a former UNC tutor, Jennifer Wiley, paid for one of Little's flights to Miami ($150) as well as $1,789 in parking tickets.
Little said he has paid the fines for the 93 citations that were written to five different cars. A spokesman for campus security confirmed that Little's account has been settled.
Gail Little said the university didn't keep the families informed during the investigation, but she admits her son shouldn't have taken the benefits.
"We thought we had been generous with what he needed," she said. "He had nice clothes and a nice apartment. I don't know why he needed those other things. It's all about the crowd with which you get entangled."
Little said talking to his father about his missteps was difficult.
"I just told him that I made a mistake," he said. "He's always been such a reliable resource. I wanted to be independent. I wanted to start my manhood by myself. I went about it in the wrong way."
Proving himself Browns executives said they did extensive background checks on the player that Pro Football Weekly described as "egotistical, immature and high-maintenance."
Longtime friend Michael Johnson said Little's on-field persona of the trash-talking, preening receiver belies his character.
"Greg might come off as cocky because of his competitive nature," Johnson said. "He has that 'no one can guard me' mentality. But he's not one to brag off the field."
As Little spent last fall catching passes from Johnson and training with a mixed martial arts fighter, his mother stressed staying active in the community. Her message was simple: "Don't let a bump in the road define you."
Little spoke to various groups and attended Hillside High football practices, where he talked to players about exercising good judgment.
"He was out there quite often," said current Hillside coach Antonio King. "He told them about his mistakes and how they needed to stay away from temptation."
Little arrived in Cleveland knowing he would have to prove himself on and off the field.
Some questioned the Browns' wisdom in passing on Alabama's Julio Jones and trading down for defensive tackle Phil Taylor despite the club's glaring need at receiver. Little played only one full year at UNC as a wideout, spending most of his sophomore season as a running back. His progress was also impeded by the NFL lockout.
But Little has evolved into the receiver the Browns thought they were getting in Brian Robiskie. He wouldn't be considered a No. 1 target on most playoff teams, yet his toughness and versatility make him a valuable contributor.
"Greg has great skill and ability, and that's why we drafted him," said Browns coach Pat Shurmur. "What he needed to learn is how to be a pro. All rookies do. He was pushed into the starting lineup pretty early to make plays. Prior to this year, he did a lot on just his sheer ability."
Shurmur talks frequently with Little to ensure the rookie makes good on his promise to handle success better at this level. Beyond punting the ball into the stands after a preseason touchdown, he has drawn little negative attention.
His teammates appreciate his offensive production and fun-loving personality.
"He's a great fit in the locker room," Thomas said.
Little can't change what happened at North Carolina, an experience that will cause some to always view him with suspicion. He believes, however, that he has matured and learned from those adverse times.
He's comfortable with who he is and what hangs in his locker.
