Tucci left the LSU Tigers football team. Coach Lane Kiffin said the rapper parted ways after signing a deal with a gambling company.
LSU football head coach Lane Kiffin appeared on the In the Bayou with Tyrann Mathieu podcast on Wednesday (June 17) and revealed that the former 2021 XXL freshman is leaving the show due to signing a deal with a gambling company. Tusi, whose real name is Nau’Jour Grainger, joined the LSU Tigers football team in March as a wide receiver and impressed coaches with his athletic ability.
During the podcast, which can be watched below, Kiffin said the 27-year-old rapper left LSU because he was “limited in what he could do” while trying to juggle a music career with a football career.
“I think he signed with a bookmaker, I don’t know what they’re called, and you could advertise for him or something like that, which shouldn’t work in the NCAA, you know,” he said.
Kiffin was referring to the NCAA NIL rules that allow college athletes to make money. Under the rules, athletes can sign endorsement deals and remain involved in sports while building a brand (NIL) with their name, image and likeness. However, they cannot promote gambling, alcoholism or tobacco. As a result, Toosii reportedly had a partnership with a gambling company that violated NCAA compliance rules and was therefore unable to compete at the collegiate level.
Still, Kiffin said Toosey was a promising talent during his brief tenure with the team and insisted it was not a publicity stunt.
“I really enjoy being around him. It’s not a gimmick at all,” he said. “He really wanted to see if he could do it.”
XXL has reached out to representatives for Toosii for comment.
Watch LSU football coach Lane Kiffin explain why Toosii left the team after 21 minutes
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