Tennessee's Arion Carter pledges $427 per tackle for cancer fund

Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter will return Saturday against Georgia Tech after serving a one-game NCAA suspension tied to a $427 flight he accepted during the NFL draft process and later repaid. Carter is turning the controversy into a cancer-treatment fundraising effort, pledging $427 for every tackle, $500 for each sack, $1,000 for an interception or forced fumble, and $5,000 for a defensive touchdown. His mother’s nonprofit, Girls in Real Life Situations, will distribute the money to charities including organizations that help cancer patients with medical expenses. The effort is personal for Carter because his girlfriend, Mariah Bryant, was diagnosed with stage-two breast cancer earlier this year. Carter and Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said the campaign reflects his decision to turn a difficult situation into a positive contribution to the community.