DESTIN, Fla. — A relaxed-looking Billy Napier said he was “comfortable with (his) actions” in his first public comments on the blockbuster Jaden Rashada lawsuit. Rashada accused the Florida coach of fraud, among other allegations, stemming back to a failed $13.85 million name, image and likeness deal.
“I think it’s important for everybody to understand that I can’t comment due to the litigation,” Napier said at SEC spring meetings. “But I do have confidence in our legal team. I am comfortable with my actions. And I’m thankful for the university’s support. We’re gonna keep it at that and kind of let the process take its course.”
The Florida coach said he first found out he was one of three listed defendants — along with top Gators booster Hugh Hathcock and former Florida staffer Marcus Castro-Waker — through media reports. Rashada’s legal team, led by well-known Houston lawyer Rusty Hardin, filed the lawsuit in federal court last Tuesday, arguing that the trio fraudulently induced Rashada, then a highly regarded high school quarterback prospect, to attend Florida with no intention of following through on a $13.85 million deal.
Specifically, the lawsuit claims “fraudulent misrepresentation and inducement, aiding and abetting fraud, civil conspiracy to commit fraud, negligent misrepresentation, tortious interference with a business relationship or contract and aiding and abetting tortious interference.”
Napier was asked how he’d address the situation with recruits and concerns that Florida didn’t live up to mark with its promises.
“This narrative has been out there for a long time,” Napier said. “I think we got that question two years ago or a year-and-a-half ago, and I don’t necessarily think it slowed us down, to some degree….
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