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Adrian McPherson's off-the-field problems began after his first football season, police say.
The problems escalated and culminated with three arrests: the theft, forgery and cashing of a $3,500 check from a Tallahassee business (three felonies and one misdemeanor); bouncing of five checks for cash, $76 each, to two Publix stores (a felony); and betting on NFL and college football games, including all FSU games, via the Internet (a misdemeanor). A trial on the gambling charge begins this week, a case management hearing on the bounced checks case is scheduled for mid-June and a trial on the forged check case is scheduled for mid-July.
A compilation of reported events and information gleaned from police reports and public records.
JANUARY-MARCH 2002: Police say Adrian McPherson and several football team student managers bet on NBA and college basketball with a bookie. McPherson allegedly runs up an $8,000 debt.
JUNE/JULY 2002: FSU compliance director Bob Minnix investigates but can't substantiate rumors of McPherson gambling. The NCAA is notified, however.
AUG. 17-20 2002: McPherson writes five personal checks for cash, $76 each, at two Tallahassee Publix stores. All five bounce.
SEPT. 5, 2002: McPherson cashes a $1,150 check from FSU student Latisha Gulley. Although Gulley's mother said McPherson stole and forged the check and police and prosecutors look into it, Gulley doesn't file a complaint.
SEPTEMBER 2002: Melvin Capers Jr. and Otis Livingston say they and their former high school friend, McPherson, begin gambling on NFL and college football games via the Internet. Livingston later tells police that McPherson bet on FSU football each week.
OCT. 26, 2002: McPherson relieves a struggling Chris Rix, leading FSU to two late touchdowns in a disappointing 34-24 loss to Notre Dame. In the post-game locker room, a number of frustrated teammates vociferously lobby for Rix's benching.
OCT. 28, 2002: Coach Bobby Bowden, in a nearly unprecedented move in his tenure at FSU, makes a midseason quarterback change by promoting McPherson.
NOV. 2, 2002: In his first collegiate start, McPherson completes 28 of 44 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns, rushes 11 times for 53 yards and rallies the Seminoles to a 34-21 win at Wake Forest.
NOV. 18, 2002: A blank check is reported stolen from R&R Truck and Auto Accessories. It is forged (a handwriting analysis later indicates) and cashed for $3,500.
NOV. 23, 2002: In his fourth start, McPherson plays poorly. He completes 8 of 20 for 80 yards in a 17-7 loss at North Carolina State.
NOV. 24, 2002: Bowden would later tell police that former players called and accused McPherson of throwing the game to settle a gambling debt. He meets with McPherson that morning.
NOV. 25, 2002: After another meeting with McPherson, who was this time joined by his parents, Bowden announces he has dismissed McPherson from the team for an unspecified violation of team rules. He privately tells his players that McPherson had lied.
NOV. 26, 2002: McPherson, flanked by his parents, siblings and St. Petersburg attorney Grady Irvin Jr., lashes out at FSU for its hasty discipline. Irvin also tells the media that "Adrian has never, ever, ever, ever gambled on any sporting event."
NOV. 27, 2002: Police charge McPherson with felony grand theft and misdemeanor theft in connection with the R&R check. He turns himself into the Leon County jail.
DECEMBER 2002: At the behest of FSU president Sandy D'Alemberte, campus police chief Carey Drayton launches an investigation into rumors that McPherson had been gambling.
JAN. 13, 2003: McPherson, on a recruiting visit to Division I-AA Murray State in Kentucky, surprises his family by calling home and leaving a voicemail message that he had enrolled.
JAN. 29, 2003: A week after receiving the results of a handwriting analysis of the stolen R&R check, prosecutors add two more felony counts against McPherson.
FEB. 5, 2003: McPherson withdraws from Murray State.
FEB. 13, 2003: Prosecutors charge McPherson with a felony in connection with the five checks he bounced in August.
MARCH 4, 2003: McPherson is charged by police with gambling on pro and college sports, including all FSU football games, via the Internet, a misdemeanor. Police also charge Derek Delach and former football team student manager Jeff Inderhees with one count each of felony bookmaking.
APRIL 1, 2003: Prosecutors release hundreds of pages of transcripts and the report of FSU police, Tallahassee police and Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigators.
JUNE 2, 2003: McPherson's misdemeanor gambling trial set to begin this week.
JUNE 13, 2003: Case management hearing on the bounced checks felony case.
JULY 14, 2003: McPherson trial involving the forged check case set to begin.