A.J. Green appeal will be heard Friday

(Updated 9 p.m.)

ATHENS – Georgia’s appeal of wide receiver A.J. Green’s four-game suspension will be heard by an NCAA committee Friday, UGA associate athletic director Claude Felton said.

The appeal will be heard via conference call by a quorum of the NCAA Division I Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, consisting of officials from other schools and conferences.

Asked Wednesday night if he expects a ruling on the same day as the hearing, Georgia coach Mark Richt said: “I can only hope that.”

Green, who didn’t play in Georgia’s first two games, will have to sit out Saturday’s game against Arkansas and the Sept. 25 game at Mississippi State unless his suspension is shortened.

Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said Wednesday the Razorbacks have to prepare as if Green will be on the field Saturday, while Richt said Georgia has approached this week from the premise that Green won’t play.

“And then if it turns out he can play . . . we certainly can use him,” Richt said.

Georgia players say they’re prepared for either scenario.

“Hopefully they come back with a ruling that is favorable and he’ll be out there, but it’s not something you can bank on,” tight end Aron White said. “We’ve been preparing to where if he comes back great, but if he doesn’t we’ve got to still go out and get these games. We’re still the Bulldogs, with or without A.J.”

Cornerback Vance Cuff said a Green return would be “definitely a plus – about five pluses, to tell you the truth.”

The NCAA handed Green the four-game suspension last week for selling his Independence Bowl jersey for $1,000 to former North Carolina football player Chris Hawkins, whom the NCAA considers an agent. In several interviews, Hawkins has said that he bought the jersey as a collector and that he is not an agent.

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

In another development, the Morgan County Citizen and ESPN.com reported Wednesday that Hawkins, from Kinston, N.C., was arrested near Madison, Ga., on April 23, 2009, on felony charges of trafficking cocaine and misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana. He reportedly has an Oct. 18 court date in Morgan County.

273 comments Add your comment

Desert Dawg

September 15th, 2010
8:34 pm

Grantham looks to have the D playing much better– yes tackling was an issue but I would imagine a lot of teams will have trouble tackling Lattimore. More sacks/ int’s and less points than WM through 2 games. U people looking for his head are f’in stupid, he needs 2 years not 2 games to install a new D and get the players. We will be fine this year–10-2.

private plane watching

September 15th, 2010
8:37 pm

How about that 2012 recruiting class!

Desert Dawg

September 15th, 2010
8:41 pm

I agree SAY WHAT??

UgA83

September 15th, 2010
8:41 pm

Nick Saban was right. Agents and collectors should be barred from the players. The Schools make money off the players. Agents and collectors make money from the players. but, the players cannot make anything. Oh yeah, you say they get a free education, free medical care, free gifts from the bowl games (cannot sale those either). All well and good. but, put yourself in some of their lives and you will see why they are easilty enticed.

CLEVON LITTLE

September 15th, 2010
8:41 pm

Desert Dawg , I agree. One thing I said after watching both GA & SC play their 1st games is that SC has bigger, stronger players. SC QB is 6′3, all WR’s are 6′4+. GA, on the other hand has 5′11 QB and 175 lb 5′9 CBs trying to tackle those 230 lb 6′4 WRs. They got run over & dragged many yards. Grantham is a NFL guy that also worked with Saban; he believes in 6′0 6′1 CBs –NFL type guys that can play his man coverage. Unfortunately he’ll need 2 yrs, but once he gets his players in here we’ll be OK –that is if we can get our offense going.

ryan

September 15th, 2010
8:42 pm

NCAA stole Reggie Bush’s Heisman trophy they should be investigated by the FBI .

Desert Dawg

September 15th, 2010
8:42 pm

this just in–has Houston got any good weed this week?

Buyers Beware !

September 15th, 2010
8:43 pm

This is now a clear case of a Thug dealing with a Thug. Suspension holds and UGA loses appeal and to Arky.

Desert Dawg

September 15th, 2010
8:45 pm

UGA 31-Pigs-26

UgA83

September 15th, 2010
8:45 pm

USC should sue Reggie Bush. Now, that’s one player that OWES his school. AJ sold a jersey. Reggie, well he sold his ——.

Fred Davidson

September 15th, 2010
8:46 pm

Dragging the appeal out is worse than just upholding the suspension. It makes game planning twice as hard.

On the merits, IF Green didn’t know that the buyer was an agent, he still violated rules by selling the jersey. That’s worth two games. If he knew the buyer was an agent, that’s worth another two games. So the question is whether he knew the buyer was an agent, which I guess boils down to a question of credibility. I see three possibilities: (1) they give him the benefit of the doubt and reduce the suspension to two games, (2) they assume he’s lying and leave it at four, or (3) they split the difference and cut it to three games.

Ex Athlete

September 15th, 2010
8:46 pm

Well NCAA has always been against gambling and anything related to contact with agents. Those are rules been that way for years, they make you register and sign on them before you can play, so why in the hell would you do this to put your career on the line?

Chris

September 15th, 2010
8:46 pm

To anyone that didn’t understand my previous post about the privlege of playing college football, let me explain.

For one, a college education is not free. There’s this thing called tuition. If you are good enough to play college football, and do well enough in school, you are rewarded with a scholarship. Tuition is free, books are free, room and board is free, and you are provided with free meals. Not all college students are afforded this luxury. Many can’t even go to college because they can’t afford the cost. Playing college football, and having a free education as a result of your scholarship is a privelege. It is not a right. There are rules that all football players are told of in great detail that they cannot break. I believe that having a curfew, and not being able to drink underage is a very small price to pay for this privelege. Every athlete knows that they cannot profit from what they do as a student athelete and why should they? They have been awarded an opportunity that so many will never have.

If someone receives a scholarship for having terrific grades, they can and will loose there scholarship if their grades decline, if they get arrested, and so forth. Why then, is it so far fetched to take away someones right to play football and take away their scholarship if they break the rules. Being arrested or profiting from one of your football jerseys is breaking the rules.

AJ knew this before he sold his jersey and he sold it anway. Some may think it’s unfair that a college athlete can’t profit when the university makes so much money from what they bring to the sport. Maybe the rules should be changed, but the rules are what they are and AJ knowingly broke them. If a free ride through college, and the prospect of being a wide receiver in the NFL after three years of school isn’t enough for him, then he is a sellfish prick. He broke the rules and he should have to pay the price. Rip him of his scholarship, and kick him off the team.

I for one would never feel sorry for him. He will still be in the NFL making millions.

Cantondawg…..so chris=stupid?

What a brilliant comment.

Key Contributors « Year of the Dawg

September 15th, 2010
8:47 pm

[...] Durham, Wide Receiver – With the NCAA dragging it’s feet on the A.J. Green appeal, Kris is going to be the number one receiver. He’s had two great games so far this season and [...]

Paul in RDU

September 15th, 2010
8:48 pm

I agree with “say what?” – If it is just selling the jersey – 2 games is correct – some misleading of the NCAA – go to 4.

The comments on the NCAA dragging things out to make things difficult for UGA crack me up. Do the posters think that there are a bunch of people at NCAA HQ sitting around with nothing to do but have a meeting to talk about AJ? The NCAA Division I Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement consists of officials from other schools and conferences. These folks all have full time jobs. Any idea how difficult it is to schedule a bunch of very busy people on a conference call? As long as they rule on Friday there should be no problem for AJ.

Since Vince

September 15th, 2010
8:48 pm

Like I said this season is OVA !

Win P.

September 15th, 2010
8:49 pm

A.J. is the one who is a disappointment. If he needed spending money, why not delay purchasing those stupid diamond ear pieces he displayed at the SEC meetings in Al. If he already owned the ear pieces, then sell them for needed spending money. Has he ever heard of “Deferred Consumption”? In a few months he can buy his own diamond mine. Thanks to him, the NCAA has UGA football program dancing on a string. Beginning to wonder why Richt took him to the SEC meetings in the first place.

Fish2774

September 15th, 2010
8:50 pm

Everything’s going to be fine defense wise. What some have to understand is that to run the 3-4 defense you have to have talented linebackers and a stout nose tackle. This is a rebuilding year for the defense and the SC game was a coming out party for Lattimore, but you can’t look pass the fact that without AJ the offense struggled to stretch the field with that reserved play calling. Grantham will recruit the players needed to run his system.

When a kid continues to hurt the team

September 15th, 2010
8:58 pm

Ealey and AJ hurt UGA badly in 09 with AJ’s show boat TD parade thang vs LSU and we lost. Ealey hurt UGA vs KY when he fumbled in the same spot that he again fumbled vs SC. THREE MORE LOSSES in 09 -10 because of these guys.

Kick them off ……..ealey will not play next year anyway ………….he will LIKELY get into trouble and AJ will be gone, so say bye bye to these 2 clowns. we can win or lose without them.

UGA family will forget them in two or three years anyway …………..like we have Jasper Sanks.

Go Dogs.
UGA class of 71 & 73

Just thinking about this

September 15th, 2010
8:59 pm

I am a conservative and don’t really like federal or state government intervention, but this might just be the case where they should get involved. I’m speaking about the injustices in penalties handed down by this astute group of intellectuals, the NCAA. How some can commit more serious and dangerous crimes, but A.J. sells his jersey (which he SHOULD NOT have done) , but for some reason he is held to a higher standard. Makes one wonder….

ga gator

September 15th, 2010
9:00 pm

NCAA critic a forced internship; are you serious? These idiots get into enough trouble without your so called “intership”. Just imagine these same uneducated, ignorant fools making millions right out of high school. Lets see, Teachers have interships, as do people in the media, doctors, lawyers working as law clerks, engineers, pilots, just about anyone that makes a high paying job has an internship. Draconian sentence? Let’s see, he still gets to go to school free, eat free, spending allowance, practice with the team. Who do you work for Jesse Jackson?

Fish2774

September 15th, 2010
9:04 pm

Chris let’s be real about the education and scholarship thing. Most athletes like the AJ Green’s only go to college due to NFL rule. Most of these kids are being pimped due to the rule and colleges are taking advantage of these young men. These schools make millions off these kids in 3 years and they aren’t even granted the opportunity to take on a summer job under NCAA rules. How are they suppose to make money? If these kids had a choice right out of high school college institutions wouldn’t make half the money off bowl games, so give these athletes a stipend on a monthly basis. And maybe this will stop a lot of the violations.

Why are the back up wide outs here anyway?

September 15th, 2010
9:05 pm

Marlon Brown was brought here to be another AJ Green or another Julio Jones. All three are about 6′5″ and weigh anywhere from 220 – 230.

IF AJ is sitting, WHY is Brown not ready? He was highly, highly recruited. See? It all comes back to the staff and their failed evaluations of talent. You mean to tell me that Marvelous Marlon Brown cannot stretch that field? Oh, please ………….. what did we do prior to AJ? Use Wooten or King or Troupe or somebody that can get open and throw it. Use the fullbacks ………establish a tempo on offense or just resign, Staff. Grads are sick and tired on this crap. You are all well paid ……..earn it.

Give me a break …………more CMR excuses on why we are forever rebuilding UGA.

GO Dogs.

ryan

September 15th, 2010
9:05 pm

ESPN said Green had no knowledge that the former NC player was arrested for drugs you go read the article by Joe Schad .

Boca Baby

September 15th, 2010
9:06 pm

Sorry folks, I do not believe AJ Green is the squeeky clean laid back individual that he is supposed to be. This NC fellow is definitely on the shady side. Which makes me wonder how Green was having dealings with him whatsoever. “Mr Green you may have never been to Miami but your hands are definitely not clean. You should have been focusing on football and academics. You have definitely hurt UGA with your irresponsible acts.” Could it be that the four game penalty was apropos or even lenient? Does anyone remember that Herschel Walker lost his eligibility over having a conversation with an agent?

ga gator

September 15th, 2010
9:09 pm

Fish, how much is a UGA education worth when you add in everything; 10-15 K per year? Ask the few non-NFL players (if you know what I mean) what having a UGA education is worth to them. They bust their butts at practice just as hard as players such as AJ do and never see the millions, yet they have the brains to realize what a college education is worth. Anyone who feels for the athletes have their values all upside down.

JELLO JOCKITCH

September 15th, 2010
9:09 pm

The NCAA has an ax to grind against UGA as it is a co-litigant against the NCAA in the TV rights law suit that should have cost the NCAA gazillions.

Boca Baby

September 15th, 2010
9:11 pm

When a kid continues to
hurt the team: The showboat penalty against LSU that you mentioned should have never been called. And that is exactly what the SEC said after the fact. Get your facts straight, Jack.

Blue Max

September 15th, 2010
9:12 pm

jello, just another jawja fan who believes that everyone is out to get UGA. I guess we now have to had the NCAA to the list that includes ESPN, SEC, Refs, Spurrier, Holtz, Herbstreit, Mark May…..Oh well it’s probably true about Spurrier and Mark May.

SLim

September 15th, 2010
9:13 pm

It won’t matter if AJ plays….Georgia still gets their fanny kicked. Final Score: Georgia 13 Ark 41

ryan

September 15th, 2010
9:14 pm

If AJ does remain suspended then CMR does need to consider kicking him off the team like Wesley Sounders was because this getting out of control .

JELLO JOCKITCH

September 15th, 2010
9:14 pm

Just look at how NCAA is playing lax with other school. If UGA ever commits the same mistake as USC (Calif), NCAA will apply the death penalty to UGA forever.

Fish2774

September 15th, 2010
9:14 pm

Ga Gator there’s know spending allowance awarded to a athlete, because if there was most of these kids wouldn’t have money issues. Education isn’t free either, regardless if you’re getting a scholarship it’s still a play for pay mentality. They didn’t recruit the school the school recruited these poor kids, so they need to take blame for some of this. Hell in the military you get free room and board, free meals, education, and payed for your services so what’s these colleges problem with awarding a monthly stipend?

Players do have choices .........we all do

September 15th, 2010
9:15 pm

A great player can pass on college on play Army ball and get some recognition. He will get paid too. Yes, he might end up in a war. Ted Williams of the old Boston Red Sox and Norm Van Brocklin of the LA Rams and the Eagles and others did go fight ………..came back and played NFL ball and got paid. They made a choice. See how easy this is??

Here is another choice for 75% of these so called poor kids ………..they can pass on college, get angry, rob a liquor store or do a deal and spend time in the big house. That is their choice.

They can play ball for three or four years at State U and DO WELL and go to the League and have a nice pay day. No one is making them play for the U of so and so. GROW UP PUNKS.

Get over this pathetic “they are being taken advantage of” …………that is for losers and dead beats that end up in the Big House or obamarons.

Go Dogs.

GDAWG65

September 15th, 2010
9:16 pm

Fire Bobo the Dodo – and get some REAL Dawg offence going.

JELLO JOCKITCH

September 15th, 2010
9:17 pm

Blue Max get your facts straight. Y

revenge of evans

September 15th, 2010
9:18 pm

Ealey is doomed for takin my numba

Nose bleed Bob

September 15th, 2010
9:19 pm

Man the dawgs really do look small from up here……….

ga gator

September 15th, 2010
9:20 pm

They do get a small amount that is designated for laundry, incidentals, etc. I agree not enough and it should be increased some, but when only a few make it to the NFL (how many for UGA last year, 6), then it is on the kids who do not take advantage of the system and graduate. They even get free tutoring. And how many of the 85 or so on the sidelines get in the game, so it’s not pay for play.

Boaca Jack

September 15th, 2010
9:21 pm

Did he not celebrate and then did all of that lead to a team wide mental lapse on the ensuing UGA kick off? Then, did Charles Scott # 35 not steam roll lil Curran on that end play for TD???

See ……….jack…………he pranced and then the rest developed. Why not hand the ball to the ref ………..JACK?

Go Dogs …………jack o–

ga gator

September 15th, 2010
9:21 pm

Players do have choices ………we all do GREAT POST.

Blue Max

September 15th, 2010
9:22 pm

My facts are straight, I hear this whining crap and read it on here everyday.

revenge of evans

September 15th, 2010
9:22 pm

Ealey with 3 on his back will never achieve the greatness I did

Diamond ear rings?

September 15th, 2010
9:26 pm

IF AJ paid money fo rhis diamond ear rings ………he needs to be DUMPED from the squad. Surely, he could have sold them. These kids all need to be exposed for the punks and spoiled trash that they are.

AJ will never play for UGA again ……….bank on it. The alumni want him gone.
Go Dogs

Telly Savalas was no Erk Russell

September 15th, 2010
9:28 pm

Who loves ya baby ! Latimore just got another 10 yards…….

ga gator

September 15th, 2010
9:29 pm

Good comment about the diamond ear rings. How many “poor” kids on all of these teams have diamond ear rings, and if they are indeed poor, how did they pay for them? Just askin.

Police Chief

September 15th, 2010
9:30 pm

Lock all those thugs in jail georgia has on scholarships

Dan Mullen

September 15th, 2010
9:31 pm

ga gator get off this blog cause florida sucks

Fish2774

September 15th, 2010
9:31 pm

Players do have choices ………we all do, first let me say this!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ve been to war twice so punk get over and under yourself. Two, at the end of the day I’m tired of everybody saying that they are getting something for free, because they’re not. The colleges make millions off these kids in which if you really had any common sense. It’s that drug dealers mentality of I’ll give you $100 and you give me $17 million in return but you can’t work for nobody else until your contract is up of we get rid of you. What they choose to do during their summer break is their business and I do believe their parents are responsible for them not the institutions while they are away from school. Besides they aren’t living in any dorms, nor are they eating meals from May-July.

Bling and blang

September 15th, 2010
9:31 pm

All da playa’s have bling cuz its Thug U.