Marvin Austin, one of the North Carolina players at the center of an NCAA inquiry into possible improper contact with sports agents, was a busy man on Twitter before his account recently went dark. Austin posted more than 2,400 updates and built a following of more than 1,800 people.
Much to the joy of North Carolina State fans, a cached version of Austin's account — ANCHORMANAUSTIN — still exists on Google. The site State Fans Nation took a cruise through the 6-foot-3, 305-pound defensive tackle's life on Twitter and found that he has a fondness for guns. The above photo, posted in May, came with this message: "Da taurus 500 maggie…call it da bust it baby!!!!!!"
Then there was a trip to the shooting range, with Austin posting the following photo with this message: "Hit da bullseye twice…I think I should join the .u.s rangers..oh but I shot a hostage too…opps"
Austin traveled to Washington, D.C., and bragged about running up a bill for $143 at the Cheesecake Factory. He wrote: "I luv this place!!!!!! As u can see"
North Carolina spokesman Steve Kirschner told J.P. Giglio of the Raleigh News & Observer that the athletic department's policy concerning the use of Twitter and social media is that the players are "responsible for what they post, the same way as if they'd said it at a press conference."
A Tar Heel official declined to make Austin, or anyone from the football program, available for comment on Tuesday and referred all questions to athletic director Dick Baddour.
Baddour declined to comment.
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