Green receives four-game ban; UGA plans appeal
(Updated 8:40 p.m.)
ATHENS – The NCAA came down hard Wednesday on A.J. Green, ordering Georgia’s star wide receiver to sit out four games as punishment for selling a game jersey to a sports agent.
Green sold the jersey he wore in last season’s Independence Bowl for $1,000, according to the facts of the case stipulated by Georgia.
The school plans to appeal the NCAA ruling in hopes of having the length of the suspension reduced. The appeal could be heard next week, coach Mark Richt said.
Green was held out of last week’s season opener against Louisiana-Lafayette, pending the results of the NCAA investigation, which began in July. He must sit out the Bulldogs’ next three games -– Saturday at South Carolina, Sept. 18 at home vs. Arkansas and Sept. 25 at Mississippi State –- unless the appeal is successful. He will be eligible to return for the Oct. 2 game at Colorado.
“Certainly I’m disappointed with the outcome,” Richt said. “However, we have games to play, and that’s where our focus needs to be in the coming days and weeks. Other players will have to step forward, and I’m confident they will do that.”
Richt informed his players of the NCAA ruling shortly before Wednesday’s practice.
“He assured us we have the talent on this team to play with or without [Green],” tight end Aron White said. “We’re still Georgia. One player doesn’t make Georgia. That’s something [Richt] made very clear to us, that he still has complete confidence in us.”
The NCAA did not name the individual who bought the jersey from Green but said the person meets the organization’s definition of an agent -– “any individual who markets or promotes a student-athlete.” That put Green in violation of the NCAA rule against receiving benefits from agents.
Selling a jersey to a non-agent also would violate NCAA rules, which prohibit student-athletes from receiving money for memorabilia.
Green has donated $1,000, the amount he received for the jersey, to charity, the NCAA said.
The four-game ban is at the top end of the range the NCAA typically imposes for this type of violation.
The NCAA said it reviews each case “on its own merits based on the specific facts. Staff decisions are made based on a number of factors including . . . the student-athlete’s responsibility for the violation, as well as any mitigating factors presented by the university.”
In another recent case, the NCAA last week suspended Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus for two games for accepting almost $1,800 in benefits from an agent. In that case, the NCAA said Dareus received a two-game ban, rather than four games, “based on mitigating circumstances.”
Green will be allowed to practice with the Georgia team during his banishment from games and, in fact, did so Wednesday.
”I want to apologize to my coaches, teammates and the Georgia fans for the mistake in judgment,” Green said in a statement. “I very much regret all that has taken place and the distraction that’s been caused. I’ve learned a valuable lesson and hope others can learn from my mistake. I can only focus my attention now on practicing and looking ahead to getting back with my teammates as quickly as possible.”
Green did not meet with reporters. Richt summed up Green’s reaction: “He’s hurt. He’s sad. He’s sorry for what happened.”
Wide receiver Tavarres King said the Green news was “pretty shocking” to him and vowed to help pick up the slack in the star player’s absence.
“I got to step up and make plays to fill the void for A.J.” King said. “Big shoes to fill. Huge shoes to fill.”
Green, a junior from Summerville, S.C., was named to preseason All-SEC and some preseason All-America teams. He is projected as a high first-round pick if he enters next year’s NFL draft, as most observers expect him to do.
Green caught 53 passes for 808 yards and six touchdowns last season, when he missed three-plus games with injuries. He caught 56 passes for 963 yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman in 2008.
Georgia’s appeal will be heard by the NCAA Division I Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, which is comprised of representatives from NCAA member schools. Green cannot play in games during the appeal process.
As is standard procedural form in such cases, Georgia declared Green ineligible and the NCAA set his penalty and the terms of his reinstatement.
The NCAA informed Georgia on July 21 of the Green investigation — one in a series of probes at a number of schools into dealings between athletes and agents. Green said on July 22 that he was asked by Georgia officials if he attended an agent-hosted party in Miami that triggered investigations at several schools. He said he did not.
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1,225 comments Add your comment
Cleatus
September 8th, 2010
5:11 pm
Here is what I don’t understand:
So, Alabama player get two trips paid by agent worth $1800 and only gets two games suspended,
Whereas a UGA player sells a jersey for $1000 and gets four games suspended?
bosshawg
September 8th, 2010
5:11 pm
for buzzkill and tha rest of u ha ha folks get a life u been ta to many gay pride festivals
Erk
September 8th, 2010
5:11 pm
But the S. Carolina players get to play this Sat., right NCAA?
AltamahaDawg
September 8th, 2010
5:11 pm
I don’t have a problem with the rule, but the punishment seems to be out of proportion. BTW, what difference does it make if the buyer fit the “definition of an agent”? Would it matter if he was just a fan? I assume this is part of the appeal. I’m sure that agent is very welcome on this campus from now on, also.
sav'h dawg
September 8th, 2010
5:11 pm
Line up and play the game with the players who have been doing the right thing. I stated in an earlier blog that it was great to see some real student athletes scores TD’s in last week’s game. Hey AJ, if you really want to show some remorse for what you did, hang around one more year and stay committed to the university that is giving you a free education, housing, etc. My family supported the UGA program for over 25 years as season ticket holders and I continure to witness spoiled, coddled athletes taking as much as they can. How bout giving back! Sometimes giving back means doing the next right thing when nobody is watching. These remarks are not meant for AJ only, but for the self centered actions of many players. Reward those who are doing the right thing. They signed to play for UGA, let’s win with them.
Jackets2010
September 8th, 2010
5:12 pm
I am all for Tech fans staying off your vent and Dawg fans staying off the Tech vent. But both schools have some fans, probably teenagers, who get away with aggravating both fan bases with their poor sportsmanship.
Dawgmess
September 8th, 2010
5:12 pm
I hope this is reduced on appeal … but AJ knew better than take $1,000 dollars from an agent. An agent buying a $50 jersey for a grand is equivelent telling a cop, “I’m not bribing you but here’s $1,000 for that Bic pen in your pocket”.
Beast from the East
September 8th, 2010
5:12 pm
By the way, what IDIOT would pay $1,000 for ANY jersey worn at the Independence Bowl? That’s what really needs to be investigated!
THUGA's THORN
September 8th, 2010
5:12 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Ahhhhh HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! I’ve never seen so many whiney crybaby buttsniffers in one place outside of Sanford & Son Stadium in a while…..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Ya gonna cry??? Go ahead, cry for me buttsniffers, cry!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!! THUGA deserves this!! Hire a ThugU grad who coached at FreeShoesU and be stupid enough to think the Right Rev. Richt wouldn’t bring that mentality to Athens?? Pleeeease….Wake Up Buttsniffers, this is on Richt & on all of you whiney crybabies!!!
NCAA is run by IDIOTS
September 8th, 2010
5:12 pm
Enter your comments here
HugoStiglitz
September 8th, 2010
5:12 pm
I dont know all the details so its hard to say why the suspension was so harsh. The only thing we know at this point is that AJ Green is a moron. Im amazed at how many times players will continue to do things they arent allowed to do. Have fun being a mid first round draft pick(if that) now instead of top 5.
tt44
September 8th, 2010
5:13 pm
NCAA…..BITE ME!
Dontavius Supremo
September 8th, 2010
5:13 pm
Sit tight Tech man; your day is coming.
82Dawg
September 8th, 2010
5:13 pm
Stinger…I heard it was a Tech player that bought hoping it would help him be a better player…
Raybud
September 8th, 2010
5:13 pm
Is it me or do these “agents” that desperate to make a few bucks? How did the NCAA find out he sold his jersey? How do these things come up? This is crazy and retarded. Whoever that is “snitching” or setting these guys up need to take the fall for this. It seems like they know what they are doing and are misleading these kids. NCAA needs to step up and take some sort of blame themselves and tell these kids not to sell, autograph, or talk to anyone outside of their normal circle.
MoDawg
September 8th, 2010
5:13 pm
St. Richt you seem more concerned about “my program” than you should be. Why is this? Witty was in quotes, as in NOT WITTY, much like your post from 5:07.
You stay on top of this story, though okay? We’ve got a game to play on Saturday and plenty of capable receivers with which to play it.
layinlow
September 8th, 2010
5:13 pm
I say they should kick him off the team. Then his top 5 NFL draft position will go down the drain along with millions and millions of dollars. He knew it was wrong to sell that jersey and I believe there is a strong possibility he misled investigators is why the penalty is so harsh. I’m a UGA fan but It is past time for Richt to put his foot down and stop this rampant lack self control by his players. Take a stand now and instill some discipline or UGA should get rid of coach Richt.
greg
September 8th, 2010
5:13 pm
HEY TIM!!!!! if you’re not going to police the blog then close the comments. Example: “Yellow Fuzzy” at 4:59! Jeez, come on AJC do we need this racist crap?
Les Miles Clock Management Team
September 8th, 2010
5:13 pm
The NCAA is a joke. These kids aren’t remotely close to amateurs and to treat them as such is criminal. The BCS is a billion dollar business and the players who do the dirty work can’t afford to go out for pizza.
First, AJ gets burned by that idiotic celebration rule and now this. He’s going to be one happy camper when he gets drafted and can give the NCAA the finger.
82Dawg
September 8th, 2010
5:13 pm
‘it”
Michael G.
September 8th, 2010
5:13 pm
Thanks A.J. for being stupid. You would think we’d learn our lesson after dealing with players selling their SEC rings a few years ago. Geez, A.J. – you’re going pro after this season anyway, you really needed a few bucks right away. Thanks for sabotaging the football season.
Another One Bites the Dust
September 8th, 2010
5:14 pm
He should have sold the $35.00 scooter helmet that Ogletree stole and the penalty probably wouldn’t have been quite as stiff!
ahhkee
September 8th, 2010
5:14 pm
I guess his punishment would have been less if he had joined the Athens/Clarke County all-american inmate team
disco davo
September 8th, 2010
5:14 pm
he is an idiot and deserves his punishment. this just happened less than 5 years ago to someone for selling bowl rings i think. i mean super stupid. double super stupid. i mean a freakin idiot. can’t wait for him to go pro, make tons of money, then lose it all continuing to be stupid. stupid.
AJ Green
September 8th, 2010
5:14 pm
Looks like I “8″ one
LOL
Rob
September 8th, 2010
5:14 pm
Its interesting how these fans from other schools trash Georgia because of the arrests. At least Richt doesn’t cover up the arrests like many other schools do. If your school never has a kid get in trouble for under-aged drinking, is it because you recruit a bunch of choir boys, or because your coach has a direct line to the police department. And yes, I know policemen and know what goes on behind the scenes.
alcoadawg
September 8th, 2010
5:14 pm
Didn’t Massaquoi sell his SEC championship ring after his freshman year? He didn’t miss a game. What is the difference?
3rd gen Dawg
September 8th, 2010
5:14 pm
How does this seem fair considering the punishments handed out recently by the NCAA to players who actually went to Miami etc?? Anyone have a legitimate answer?? Look at all the other violations around the SEC? 1 to 2 game suspensions and AJ gets 4.. Outrageous..
BamaGRL
September 8th, 2010
5:15 pm
I know you guys didn’t read any more than the headline on Dareus, but he was suspended for 4 games and it was reduced to 2 due to mitigating circumstances. The $1787 was not money he accepted FROM an agent it was the cost of the plane tickets, lodging and food for his trips to Miami.
The mitigating circumstances involve the fact that it was Marvin Austin (not an agent directly) who paid for Marcel and supposedly Marcel was not aware Austin was receiving funds from an agent. Marcel’s mother was dying and then passed away during this time and he thought his friend was being a friend by taking him to Miami with him. Also I think the NCAA saw that the death of his mother may have contributed to him not thinking clearly about the situation and he just wanted to get away from the situation at home as most young people would.
BDAWG
September 8th, 2010
5:15 pm
Four games for selling his jersey to an agent and 2 games for players attending and agents party and receiving gifts. Sounds like the NCAA got this one right. So, you have other receivers. Prepare for the game with what you have and do some great play calling and this should be no problem. This is a sign for the recruiting coordinator and HC to recruit more WRs. Get the defensive unit ready and this will not matter. One player does not end a season.
bugkiller
September 8th, 2010
5:15 pm
the last time i checked aj didnt play on d the dawgs will be ok its not the end of the world.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 8th, 2010
5:15 pm
4 GAMES. So I guess La Laff, Idaho St. Colorado, and Ga. Tech don’t count as games to the DAG FANS right? It is not like those teams should even be on the field with the GREAT DAWGS. So, now let us pick the other 4 games he should miss.
USC east, Arkiesaw, Miss St, Tenn., Vandy, Kentucky, Florida, or Auburn.
It can’t be FLORIDA because the Dawgs need all the help they can get just to make it to the game sober and out of jail.
Kentucky can’t be it because they hade the DAWG fans leaving the game in Athens in the 4th qtr with a chance to win. So UGA needs him for that game for sure on the road.
I can only see VANDY as the gimmie game.
You just have to love the NCAA.
USC east, Arkiesaw, Miss St, and Colorado games the MIGHTY DAWGS should’t need Green anyway.
Wouldn’t it be fun if the SEC members could vote on the games a player has to miss. HAHAHHAH That would make RICHT drop the hammer. Well, It would make all the coaches DROP the Hammer Down on problem children.
bornloser
September 8th, 2010
5:15 pm
PRAISE JESUS! I FORGIVE AJ JESUS LOVES YOU PLEASE DONT DO THIS AGAIN. LET US PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Halechoi
September 8th, 2010
5:15 pm
Hey, NCAA, That’s not fair with other players suspend. !!!
UGA Ticket Office
September 8th, 2010
5:15 pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
You cant have a refund, so QUIT CALLING !!!!!!!!
Burdell
September 8th, 2010
5:15 pm
Bulldogs played better without him last year anyway…and they sure looked good on Saturday. You have enough talent to compensate…get Orson Charles the ball!!!
gadawgs
September 8th, 2010
5:15 pm
Hey Beast…Would you be saying the same thing if it was let’s say Tebow (your best player last year. And yes I know Tebow would not have done anything of the sort). Me don’t think so……..
Coach Spurrier
September 8th, 2010
5:15 pm
UGAy gets all the good players, but then I don’t know what happens to them.
Peter
September 8th, 2010
5:15 pm
I still don’t understand why student athlete’s are not given some type of spending money……the NCAA, and college programs make millions upon millions via tv contracts, and bowl contracts……
Football in fact probably pays for much of the rest of the athletic programs….. These kids work hard, and should earn at least 20 hours a week money for what they do to help the programs and the colleges.
I would bet the kids would be more accountable, and get in much less trouble……I don’t care if it is part of the scholarship, and then they get it bi monthly like a pay check…..
But hey that is just my opinion…….
tide roll
September 8th, 2010
5:16 pm
When are these student athletes going to join forces and file a class action vs. the NCAA. The NCAA’s salaries are being paid at the expense of these young men. They allow them to risk life and limb to go six overtimes and laugh all the way to the bank. They’re like over-worked servants. These outspoken advocates are right: it’s a giant plantation with an overseer(the NCAA) The kids need to organize and strike, put forth a list of greivances and not play another game until they are properly addressed.Cancel the season just like in baseball until the injustice is remedied
sick of hypocrisy
September 8th, 2010
5:16 pm
Does anyone believe he authored the apology. To me, purely the damage control unit of the UGA athletic dept.
King Gator
September 8th, 2010
5:16 pm
Selling crap-bowl jersey 4 games, DUI/Hit n Run 1 game, in bed with agent all summer 2 games, poke a dude’s eye out half/1 game, rape co-ed in tumbleweed Ga 6 games (reduced to 4 games)…getting down with the “head” cheerleader – out the entire high school season in NC … no rhyme or reason here. Go Gators!
Red Panties
September 8th, 2010
5:16 pm
If you do the crime, the NCAA will be sure you do the time.
Dawg Gone
September 8th, 2010
5:16 pm
#1 -Richt played at Thug U in Miami
#2-Richt coached at “Free Shoes Univ” in Tallahassee
#3-Richt hired “The Bagman” at UGA to take care of recruiting stuff
If anybody is astonished by Richt’s slack leadership they haven’t been paying attention. Another nail in Saint Richt’s coffin. Get the moving van warmed up.
Well
September 8th, 2010
5:16 pm
Maybe AJ Green was not as forthcoming as Dareus??
bornloser
September 8th, 2010
5:16 pm
DEAR HOLY FATHER PLEASE FORGIVE AJ FOR BEING A MORON> PRAISE JESUS
shannon from winder
September 8th, 2010
5:17 pm
So, Masoli can have three run ins with the law, get suspended from Oregon, transfer to Ole Miss and play. Darius Bowman of Alabama gets a free weekend in Miami by an agent and gets 2 games. AJ Green sells HIS own property , pays it back, tells the truth, and gets 4 games?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
10per
September 8th, 2010
5:17 pm
What a shocker.
Someone would pay 1k for and Independence Bowl jersey? I just cannot get my head around that.
The Independence Bowl.
We ARE Athens, where...
September 8th, 2010
5:17 pm
U – U
G – Get
A – Arrested
Herschel Walker
September 8th, 2010
5:17 pm
If you sissies don’t stop dissin’ on UGA, one of my multiple personalities is gonna come whip some a$$.