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August 23, 2007
New Book Describes Predatory Behavior of Jim Barnett
In a book by Shannon Ragland recently released by Set Shot Press – the Thin Thirty – is a detailed look at the University of Kentucky
football team, focusing mostly on the first year with Charlie Bradshaw as head coach. However, it is the claims of a four-year stint where
legendary wrestling figure Jim Barnett provided numerous members of the team with perks in return for sexual favors.
In addition, Lonnie Winters and Rock Hudson were also apparently involved. Though no names of victims of what many remember as
predatory behavior are revealed, it is suggested that lavish events were held at Barnett’s home, where he would recruit the latest
recruits, so to speak.
It is said in the book that these incidents, as well as gambling, all came to light in 1962 when Bradshaw opted to make certain it all went
away quietly, as he was concerned that it, compounded by the UK basketball points shaving scandal nearly a little more than a decade
earlier, could destroy the school’s athletics program completely.
Notables from Georgia also included throughout the book are Leeman Bennett and Homer Rice, who were both assistant coaches at the
time. The book also says Bennett was one of two coaches who knew about the Barnett connection to the team, but suggests he kept
quiet assuming it was “boys being boys�.
New Book Describes Predatory Behavior of Jim Barnett
In a book by Shannon Ragland recently released by Set Shot Press – the Thin Thirty – is a detailed look at the University of Kentucky
football team, focusing mostly on the first year with Charlie Bradshaw as head coach. However, it is the claims of a four-year stint where
legendary wrestling figure Jim Barnett provided numerous members of the team with perks in return for sexual favors.
In addition, Lonnie Winters and Rock Hudson were also apparently involved. Though no names of victims of what many remember as
predatory behavior are revealed, it is suggested that lavish events were held at Barnett’s home, where he would recruit the latest
recruits, so to speak.
It is said in the book that these incidents, as well as gambling, all came to light in 1962 when Bradshaw opted to make certain it all went
away quietly, as he was concerned that it, compounded by the UK basketball points shaving scandal nearly a little more than a decade
earlier, could destroy the school’s athletics program completely.
Notables from Georgia also included throughout the book are Leeman Bennett and Homer Rice, who were both assistant coaches at the
time. The book also says Bennett was one of two coaches who knew about the Barnett connection to the team, but suggests he kept
quiet assuming it was “boys being boys�.