~ The university acknowledged two players were dismissed from the squad.
NORMAN, Okla. -- 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," Oklahoma 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.
The dismissed players apparently worked for a Norman-based car dealership, although Jeff Adkins, 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.
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