TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A gambling investigation at Florida State centers on former Seminoles quarterback Adrian McPherson, who was kicked off the team last month after he was accused of stealing a check.

University vice president John Carnaghi said Thursday that police ''are investigating rumors and hearsay regarding a single, former football player, Adrian McPherson.''

	“	We will not participate in this unbelievable rumor that is being fueled by persons known, persons unknown and a salivating media It's a nonissue. That's it. ”
		— Grady Irvin Jr., lawyer for Adrian McPherson

''The investigation does not currently extend to any other student athletes at FSU,'' he said.

McPherson's lawyer, Grady Irvin Jr., said his client has never bet on a sporting event. McPherson started four games this season, going 3-1.

''We will not participate in this unbelievable rumor that is being fueled by persons known, persons unknown and a salivating media,'' Irvin said. ''It's a nonissue. That's it.''

Concerned about the rumors of on-campus gambling, Florida State asked for assistance last month from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The agency assigned members of its Tallahassee office along with investigators from more than one of its seven regional offices to assist.

After a four-week investigation by FDLE and university police, no other students or athletes have been implicated.

Authorities have questioned some of McPherson's teammates, as well as student trainers and managers. Coach Bobby Bowden said no one has spoken to him about any of his players.

''Good gosh, that's the No. 1 priority in the NCAA right now,'' Bowden said. ''It's one of our biggest scares, but we cannot find anything.''

McPherson, Florida's high school ''Mr. Basketball'' and ''Mr. Football'' during the 2000-01 school year, was dismissed from the team Nov. 25. He was charged with stealing a blank check from R&R Truck Accessories in Tallahassee, a misdemeanor, and with receiving stolen goods after the check was cashed, a felony.

The check was later forged by someone, made out for $3,500 and cashed. The money has not been recovered.