The Sports Café & Grille reopened between 9 and 10 Thursday night to a fiery reaction from "irate" former Nittany Lion LaVar Arrington.

Arrington said he has "nothing to do with that place," in response to rumors he might be behind the bar's reopening.

"I hope the plague falls upon the Sports Café," he said, adding "I hope it's rat infested. Frickin' roach infested."

Arrington and his group, F.A.M.M. LLC, were planning to reopen the bar as "Linebacker U Sports Café."

Arrington said last week discussions between he and current owner Kevin Anderson about the sale and purchase of the bar began about six months ago. Negotiations progressed to a final closing meeting on the property held about four weeks ago at Nittany Bank, Arrington said last week. Anderson did not appear at the meeting, Arrington said last week. Since then, Arrington has been unable to contact Anderson.

One of the bar's current managers, AJ Madden, declined comment Thursday night and had an employee ask reporters to leave. Anderson has not responded to repeated requests for comment in the past two weeks.

"I hope he never makes another dollar off of Sports Café," Arrington said about Anderson Thursday night.

Several people walking by the 244 W. College Ave. bar yelled out "Where is LaVar?"

Jess DeGore (senior-nutrition) who sat outside, said the bar seemed new, only offering one special, but it would probably be fine in a month.

"I have to give them a two thumbs down on the specials," she said.

DeGore said she would return to the bar.

The former Sports Café & Grille closed in December after being sued by National Penn Bank for $464,324.96 for violating a forbearance agreement.

On May 28, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board received the application for transfer of the liquor license to Arrington's group, F.A.M.M. LLC. Since then, the transfer has neither been approved nor unapproved, Francesca Chapman, Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board deputy press secretary, said last week.

It is unclear whether the liquor license transfer has gone through. Beer and mixed drinks were served Thursday night. Nothing was available on tap.

Arrington said he is not aware of the status of the liquor license.

"He is heartbroken over this," Joe Pereira, Arrington's strategist and corporate trainer, said Thursday night. "He wanted to be a part of the community."

Pereira said Arrington even had a discussion with Joe Paterno about opening a new bar in State College.

Arrington said he will not pursue purchasing the bar but will seek legal action against and compensation from Anderson.

"As an alum and someone who has given blood and sweat to build this community, to come back and have to endure something like this ... I don't even know the words right now," he said. "I'm so beside myself right now."

Arrington has said Anderson is using Arrington's public status to get people excited about the bar, after reneging on the deal.

"Makes no sense for that man to be able to open that place after everything he signed off on," Arrington said. "To even imply that we're partners. Do you understand how irate I am right now?"

When it comes to what it takes to open and run a sports bar, Arrington is no rookie. He opened The Sideline during Super Bowl weekend of this year in Largo, Md., Mike Arrington, The Sideline general manager and LaVar Arrington's brother, said last week.

LaVar Arrington was selected second overall in the NFL draft in 2000 by the Washington Redskins and was named All-Pro three consecutive seasons. He retired in 2007 from the league after an injury-marred career.

The former Penn State linebacker said he is not going to give up on finding a way to be part of the State College community.

"Someway, somehow I'm still going to find way to get up there and be a part of the Penn State community that made me be who I am today," LaVar Arrington said. "I'm not going to let petty and feeble-minded individuals that are a part of this situation dictate whether I'm there or not. I'm going to find a place. ... I'm going to find my way to Penn State, I promise you that."

Katharine Lackey contributed to this report.