University of Tennessee Athletics
Stallworth Decides Against Appeal; Will Enter NFL Draft
February 04, 2002 | Football
Feb. 4, 2002
Tennessee wide receiver Donte' Stallworth decided this afternoon to forgo his appeal of an NCAA staff decision denying his request for restoration of athletic eligibility and make himself available for the 2002 NFL Draft.
Stallworth initially announced his intention to turn professional Jan. 10, signed papers and declared himself available for the April draft at that time. The next day, Stallworth contacted NFL officials prior to the deadline for submission of papers and had his name removed from the list of underclassmen. The NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement Staff then informed UT Thursday it had denied Stallworth's request for eligibility restoration.
"I wish Donte' well," head coach Phillip Fulmer said. "It has been a trying process for all concerned, but especially for Donte'. I wish he had gone through the appeal process, but he expressed to me he wanted to go on to the NFL and make the most of his opportunities."
Stallworth could have appealed the NCAA decision to the Division I Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee, which is made up of representatives from Division I institutions and conferences.
