Nephew of Troubled Local Football Legend Also Tackled by Off-Field Problems

By Thomas Francis Tue., Jul. 28 2009 at 3:46 PM

Categories: Broward, Sports

Photo: University of Michigan Athletic Department

Justin Feagin

Justin Feagin inherited the athletic brilliance of his uncle Steven Feagin, but the star quarterback at American Heritage High School in Delray Beach was also saddled with the challenge of trying to focus on schoolwork and football practice while back home in Deerfield Beach his uncle awaited trial on rape charges.

Late last week, Justin Feagin was dismissed from the team. Wolverines Coach Rich Rodriguez said only that Feagin violated team rules.

Feagin played sparingly as a freshman -- mostly on special teams -- but had hopes of getting snaps at wide receiver or even quarterback, given the emphasis Rodriguez's offense places on mobility at that position.

Photo: Broward Sheriff's Office

Steven Feagin

Meanwhile, Steven Feagin, who played at another Big Ten school, the University of Illinois, stands accused of breaking into a woman's home in Pompano Beach, knocking her out with a chemical, then raping her twice.

Detectives in that case entered his DNA into a national database that found it matched DNA in three previous rape cases in Illinois during the mid-1990s, when Feagin was playing football there.

Depending on what happened to cause Justin Feagin to lose his place at Michigan, he may be able to use his three remaining years of eligibility at another university. When he was still in high school, Cincinnati was a suitor.