Report: Former UNC player, considered agent by NCAA, bought Green’s jersey

The person who paid Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green $1,000 for his Independence Bowl jersey is a former North Carolina football player whom the NCAA considers an agent, ESPN.com reported Thursday night.

Chris Hawkins identified himself in Facebook messages to Green as a financial advisor and memorabilia collector, according to the report, which cited unnamed sources.

The report quoted Hawkins as saying: “I didn’t come at A.J. like a marketer or an agent. I’m not an agent. I talked to him about ‘Good game this’ and ‘Good game that.’ I wanted the jersey because I collect jerseys.”

Green was suspended for four games by the NCAA on Wednesday for violation of the organization’s rule against accepting benefits from agents.

Georgia is appealing the decision to the NCAA Division I Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement in hopes of having the length of the suspension reduced. The appeal is expected to be considered next week. Green is not eligible to play during the appeal process.

Hawkins, a former North Carolina defensive back, is “at the center” of an NCAA investigation into alleged rules violations in the Tar Heels program, ESPN.com said. According to the report, a source said Hawkins contacted several sports agents about their interest in representing North Carolina players in the NFL draft.

The NCAA defines an agent as “any individual who markets or promotes a student-athlete.” According to the facts of the case submitted by Georgia to the NCAA, Green sold the jersey “to an individual who meets the NCAA definition of an agent.”

It also would be against NCAA rules for a student-athlete to sell memorabilia to a non-agent.

“It’s in a frame in a basement right now,” Hawkins said of Green’s jersey, according to the report.

346 comments Add your comment

michaelj

September 10th, 2010
10:00 am

How does the NCAA explain defining this nitwit as an agent? How does the NCAA claim it’s got jurisdiction over an American citizen selling something that belongs to him? How do AJ Green’s actions come close to attendance at the partay in South Beach? And twice the punishment?

One guy sold his own shirt to somebody that is not a sports agent except in his own mind and the arcane opinion of the NCAA. Another guy takes plane tickets and accomodations, that certainly cost a lot more than $1700 bucks from an actual sports agent. How is punishment even remotely similar, much less the guy that sold his own jersey get’s twice the suspension the guy that partied with hookers on the agent’s dime did?

And what about the party attendees? Anybody there but Dareus and a bunch of UNC players nobody ever heard of? Seriously, they thought AJ was a participant, they hung him out to dry for weeks, and when it turned out to be bull, they manufactured this latest nonsense.

Georgia helped break the NCAA TV domination, and the NCAA does not forget. If Dareus gets two games, AJ should get maybe 5 minutes in the first quarter, and he already sat out a game. Ordure that can’t be explained or justified logically. Take a look at how the NCAA defines an agent. Pardon me but that means just about every college football fan and gives these jackboots their own leave to trample on the US Constitution?

This guy is an “agent” ? Like a ref knew a D-back meant to call timeout. Pure, unadulterated bull.

Laughing Vol

September 10th, 2010
10:03 am

What? No mention of your 9 players arrested since March? I would just stick with the AJ thing too if that was the case….

COmpensation????

September 10th, 2010
10:04 am

You mean like free education, free room and board, free meals, free rent if they live off campus, free books, free apparel, couple hundred bucks a month for walk around money? That kind of compensation???

how2fish

September 10th, 2010
10:04 am

Alphare Ol’Dez lied to the NCAA about what his relationship with an agent was…AJ says he didn’t know the guy that bought the jersey was a agent just a collector and the NCAA can prove different that is why the treatment is different they could prove Dez was lying to them.

Laughing Vol

September 10th, 2010
10:05 am

Besides that cop was a Dawg fan….

Giggling Vol

September 10th, 2010
10:06 am

its discipline time in the showers boys-Coach is going to show us how to soap up

ryan

September 10th, 2010
10:07 am

Laughing Vol you have bigger problems to don’t forget escort Gate hey at least UGA does not need to send prostitutes to recruits .

Laughing Vol

September 10th, 2010
10:07 am

Do they have runnin’ water yet in Athens?

Tucker

September 10th, 2010
10:07 am

UGA only has “gilt by association” (the gold won by Tennessee, LSU, Florida, and Alabama).

this just in

September 10th, 2010
10:08 am

UGA scraps football team , athletic dept decides to make an antique and collectibles department. Players prove to pull in more revenue by going door to door selling artifacts and Polaroid pictures of Herschel Walker.

this just in

September 10th, 2010
10:09 am

ryan takes over UGA athletics

Giggling Vol

September 10th, 2010
10:10 am

tee hee so that is why they call it soap on a rope

WonderDawg

September 10th, 2010
10:12 am

I love how some Techies now keep excusing NC’s loss to LSU by the fact that 13 NC players were ineligible for the game.

When UGA lost 24 players (starters and rotation players) to season-ending injuries in ‘08, those same Techies screeched that “that is no excuse – every team has injuries.” The same Techies who screeched about their QB missing ONE QUARTER against UGA in ‘09, while UGA’s best player missed the last 3 games in ‘09.

Screech on Techies, it makes for great comedy . . .

Giggling Vol

September 10th, 2010
10:15 am

can you have tickle piles in a shower?

how2fish

September 10th, 2010
10:24 am

Giggling Vol I’m sure you can just ask any GT player they have them all the time.

GT hedge puller

September 10th, 2010
10:25 am

I don’t like these NCAA pukes because they do not give a rat’s hiney about the players. They just want to protect their gravy train. If Green was given the jersey, he should be able to sell it or use it to wash his car. There is nothing about Georgia that I can stomach, but this group at the NCAA is nothing but a bunch of parasites. I would love to see the SEC, ACC, and a couple of other conferences fire the NCAA and police themselves.

Keeping It Real

September 10th, 2010
10:27 am

Mr. Hawkins is more of a friend to A.J. than the NCAA Plantation Owners who control these athletes and make fortunes off them under the disguise of getting a free education. Give me a break. I wish that Mark Ingram had left Alabama and gone pro before he was injured just like Keshown Moreno and the Barry kid did. At least he would have got paid. Hopefully he will stay out the rest of the year and go to the NFL. Enough of this bull sh..t.

Dawg Lover

September 10th, 2010
10:30 am

AJ didnt do no wrong here. He is the victom. The NCAA and the refs are always rooting against our Dawgs. they should let AJ play today!!! It seems like everyone is always against our Dawgs! Why is that? Are they jealous of our Dawgs? It seems like the entire country, the refs, the NCAA’s, ESPN, and everyone else are against our Dawgs. Its not fair, but I hope will still beat the Yellow Jackets this year.

DawgFan1987

September 10th, 2010
10:30 am

A.J. knew better and he is learning a lesson. But the bigger issue, How come the NCAA can make HUNDREDS of MILLIONS off student athletes, but they can’t make some money for themselves? The NCAA feels a free education is sufficent, yet coaching salaries are steadily increasing and new campus buildings are being built because of the athletes. The system is flawed….. A.J. made a $1,000 essentially because of his performance…..what’s the big deal?!!!! He was probably gonna stimulate the economy by going out and spending it on what he deems worthy (Take a Lesson Obama and Dems). Stop PIMPING these athletes and start paying them. Collegiate sports rank up there with the pros in terms of viewership……it’s time to start recognizing that these students need to be adequately compensated.

how2fish

September 10th, 2010
10:32 am

Keeping It Real while I think its time to reel in the NCAA those Plantation Owners have done a lot of good than bad for the athletes..how many poor kids got to go and get a college education because of NCAA scholarships? And I’m willing to bet Mark Ingram feels the same..does the system have problems that need addressing yes..but they have and continue to do more good than bad.

Schmeckdawg

September 10th, 2010
10:34 am

AJ will beback sooner than later, PLUS, with the NFL ockout looming over the horizon, we will have him back for his whole senior season!

Go DAWGS!!!!!!!!

AltamahaDawg

September 10th, 2010
10:36 am

AltamahaDawg is a nickname that I use to blog in this particular forum. Is that somehow confusing to you? Not sure if that answers your question about “or whatever I am”.

If I remotely thought any of the stuff you say, and trust me I KNOW what I beleive, not you, then I would challange/correct you on your post. Or clarify my position for you so you are not so personally offended.

But since all that was just a big ol’load of incipid crap that you just simlpy made up, I’m not going to bother. Did you ever really have a point? And do please spend your weekend disecting my many post of the years. That would seem to be a worthwhile project for you. Knock yourself out Bubba. I’ll be very interested to see how you reconcile my actual statements with the knowledge of what YOU know I meant to say.

DawgFan1987

September 10th, 2010
10:37 am

how2fish:

No one ever said the students aren’t grateful for the education….but college football has transcended from giving out degrees to putting tailbones in the seats. We forget these kids come from poverty, and that the family back home might need a little money NOW for bills and can’t wait til the NFL Draft. The pressure placed on the athletes is too much and is unfair for the Universities AND Parents to do so. The students are caught in the middle.

big bad john

September 10th, 2010
10:38 am

Why are there so many dawg apologists?? Did AJ make a poor decision? Did he break NCAA rules? Did he act in a selfish manner? Did he put his personal interest ahead of his University? Team? Coach? Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, and Yes. I doubt we are getting the “whole story” on the selling of the jersey, this guy from UNC is shady and is involved with a lot of wrong doing. Bottom line, quit making excuses and whining about the punishment and making excuses. AJ Green is a man that can make his own decisions. But bottom line, he has proved himself to be an idiot.

AltamahaDawg

September 10th, 2010
10:40 am

Micheal they have jurisdiction, because College Football is a volunteer sport. It’s a game. It’s not a citezens right issue. They make up the rules for those that choose to participate in their game.

Michael

September 10th, 2010
10:40 am

Liars. He paid Green for the stupid jersey so Green would possibly hire him a year later. Every star on every team gets something — it’s only natural for all these adults who live their lives through these adorable teenagers to want to, you know, help them out.. Except Tebow, of course.

how2fish

September 10th, 2010
10:43 am

DawgFan1987 I agree with everything you say here…

Dawg Tired

September 10th, 2010
10:45 am

Laughing Vol – Absolutely halarious that a fan of a team where more than 9 players were in a bar room brawl would criticize a school where 9 players have been “arrested” primarily for traffic violations. Talk about dumb!

AltamahaDawg

September 10th, 2010
10:45 am

I’m sure that AJ is going to hire a Banker/collector to represent him in his negotiations with the NFL. And not an actual sport agent. You know, from an actual sport agency

DawgFan1987

September 10th, 2010
10:47 am

I’ve lived in those impoverished neighborhoods and witnessed the Parents ride their children to the top and the NCAA rides em for 3-4yrs. We all love collegiate sports because they play with a sense of urgency, but the problem is why are they playing with that urgency….I agree AJ knew better, but Ive been in college and can understand why he sold the jersey…..we stuents are broke LOL!!!

Dawg Tired

September 10th, 2010
10:48 am

Glad to see the guys on Around the Horn see the absolute absurdity of AJ getting suspended for 4 games. They see it as being bizzarre as does everyone I’ve talked to up in NC who is baiscally neutral. They all are saying how does this possibly warrent 4 games. General opinion up here, the one game he has already served is too much.

DawgFan1987

September 10th, 2010
10:48 am

thanks btw….how2fish. Any dawg fan is alright with me!!!!

Schmeckdawg

September 10th, 2010
10:50 am

Can anybody please explain to me how AJ gets a 4 game suspension and the kid from Alabama who received almost twice as much AND attended an agent’s party only got 2 games. I know I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but, I don’t get it.

DawgFan1987

September 10th, 2010
10:51 am

AJ’s punishment is excessive and unnecessary

Shane

September 10th, 2010
10:57 am

Oh, the NCAA is just mad they didn’t get their cut of that $1,000! So AJ broke a rule, at least he’s NOT one of the how many that have been arrested for way worse things like others @ UGA…what he did doesn’t mean he isn’t a good kid amongst all the other thugs that have been arrested. And I tink we’re forgetting that people like Hawkins & others put these kids in the position to mess up…who’s to say that a much sought after kid like AJ won’t make a mistake or two along the way when they’re under such pressure & scrutiny! I say give the kid the benefit of the doubt & let’s just see if he learns from this mistake. That will be his true test of character!

tide roll

September 10th, 2010
10:59 am

Dawgster, Did you see the same game I did?! CAM NEWTON accounted for more than 200 yards total offense and was interviewed by ESPN nationally after the game! What an impressive young man. There’s only one reason Bobo didn’t go after the kid, and we know what that reason is. The bigger problem is ya’ll’s history of doing the same thing with Homer Jordan, Sean Jones and Charlie Ward! Each are from the state Georgia and led their respective teams to national titles! And Newton is of the same potential. It’s history repeating itself! It’s laughable and even moreso to watch Uga fans try to ignore or minimize these collosal errors by your coaching staff. Richt and Bobo efectively handed Auburn a physical freak of nature and then complain about the lack of experience at Qb. This is why you only have one national title in a zillion years. The program with its history of these types of blunders is the laughingsstock of the SEC. Glad I’m not a part of it. Roll Tide!

DawgFan1987

September 10th, 2010
11:02 am

NCAA regulations get in the way too often. They actually created the “memorabilia rule” because of the UGA players that sold their SEC Championship Rings back in 2002. But once the property is transferred to the student, let them do whatever they want with it. Gee Whiz….whats wrong with students engaging in legal commerce??? It seems to me he’s practicing what he learned in Econ class!! NCAA, come off ur high horses…..greedy JERKS!!!!!

Mark

September 10th, 2010
11:03 am

The fact is that the NCAA gives out penalties when the coaches and schools won’t. Richt continues to deal with kid gloves and the NCAA deals with hammers – the players ultimately suffer. If Richt would get a set and deal with these situations more forcefully, he would not have 10-15 “situations” every stinkin’ year. He is more concerned with keeping players on the field for HIS benefit than teaching them the lessons of life. So the NCAA will do it for him.

jdawg57

September 10th, 2010
11:03 am

Again the penalty doesn’t suit the crime. Yes AJ was wrong for selling his jersey, BUT a 4 game suspension by the NCAA. Give me a break. An admitted FELON @ the QB position @ Ole Miss with no penalties, a player at the GREAT Alabama takes even more money and only gets a 2 game suspension!!!!! Whether the AL. player owned up to it or not doesn’t matter. Guilty is Guilty. This just shows that the all powerful Wizard of Oz that calls itself the NCAA is flat out scared of Saban or it is not ‘Who you know, but who you blo#$ that counts.
That’s not to mention that Alabama’s “Premeire” WR, Julio, is riding around in a brand new Cadillac Escalade!!!!!!!!!!!! Who do we think paid for that one??????????????

tt44

September 10th, 2010
11:06 am

I THINK IF A PLAYER IS PUNISHED, THE OTHERS INVOLVED SHOULD ALSO BE HELD TO ACCOUNT! I.E. THIS PERSON SHOULD (AND ANY OTHERS) THAT KNOWINGLY CAUSE THE STUDENT ATHLETE TROUBLE W/NCAA, IT SHOULD BE A CRIMINAL ACT OF SOME KIND! HELP ME HERE!

38 Yardline Dawg

September 10th, 2010
11:06 am

I think the question that’s not being asked is: How did the NCAA find out about the jersey purchase? I mean, it wasn’t on ebay or anything. Who did this Hawkins guy tip off? Or a jealous teammate?

Anyone care to have a good conversation about the subject matter here?

Texas Bob

September 10th, 2010
11:08 am

HOW IS JJ FROM BAMA BEING PAID? WHO BOUGHT THAT VEHICLE? HEY, ARE THEY GETTING THOSE FREE RIMS AGAIN?

38 Yardline Dawg

September 10th, 2010
11:08 am

Not to mention, if anyone on this blog was offered $1000 for the shirt off your back…legal or not…you would take it.

michaelj

September 10th, 2010
11:09 am

Anybody want to try to explain how this twit is an agent and why it’s important to the NCAA if a kid sells a jersey from a bowl game where the schools and the conferences and the NCfreakingAA made millions.

But the real question is, how does the NCAA decide this is worse than actually dealing with an actual agent and comporting with strippers in Miami?

DawgFan1987

September 10th, 2010
11:10 am

Julio has an Escalade????

how2fish

September 10th, 2010
11:19 am

tide roll no one is happier your not a part of the Bull Dog Nation than the Bull Dog Nation!

jack stilton

September 10th, 2010
11:26 am

I think Green needs to pick up stadium trash after the games he is suspended! You don’t do anything questionable to your team.

Michael

September 10th, 2010
11:34 am

If the players set up tables at the stadium and sold shirts with the money going directly to the NCAA, then that would be ok.

And back in the vault, I remember in Georgetown’s heyday two of their basketball players had designed their own shirts to sell at the Final Four. They were making good money until the NCAA shut them down but there were no suspensions back then.

DawgFan1987

September 10th, 2010
11:35 am

how2fish:

Amen brother

Gator Fan

September 10th, 2010
11:36 am

I haven’t read all of these comments, but in my opinion….”"”ALL”"” and I mean “”"”ALL”"”" college athletes who are granted a ‘FULL’ scholarship to play and attend their chosen college to play the sport they are given the scholarship for….are indeed being PAID to play….that’s what the scholarship is, PAID in FULL to attend….I would love for my child to be able to have that kind of free ride….especially to attend an out of state college…. But also, I think the student/athlete should be required to attend “ALL” 4 years or pay the college back if they decide to leave early for the PRO’s….I applaud any and all athletes who stay their 4 years….get their degree and then go on to the big dance if they have the talent…..but most only see $$$$ signs and let their EGO direct them….