2 men plead guilty to lying about Howard's Rock vandalism

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) Prosecutors say two men have been fined $200 each after pleading guilty to lying to police about the person who chipped a large piece off of

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) Prosecutors say two men have been fined $200 each after pleading guilty to lying to police about the person who chipped a large piece off of prized Howard's Rock at Clemson's football stadium.

Solicitor Walt Wilkins said in a news release that 20-year-old Alden Gainey and 49-year-old Michael Rogers pleaded guilty Monday to giving false information to police. Court records show they can choose to pay the $200 fine or spend 30 days in jail.

It's a tradition for Clemson players to touch the rock before taking the field on game days.

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Wilkins says the men met and agreed to say they were just taking pictures of the rock after being caught on surveillance video.

No. 5 Clemson plays at Georgia Tech on Thursday night.

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AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org