NCAA rejects appeal of A.J. Green suspension (updated)
(Last updated 10:15 p.m.)
Georgia will have to play without star wide receiver A.J. Green for two more games, including Saturday’s against Arkansas in Sanford Stadium.
An NCAA committee Friday rejected Georgia’s appeal of the four-game suspension handed Green last week for selling his Independence Bowl jersey for $1,000 to a person the NCAA considers an agent.
Georgia had hoped to have the suspension shortened, but the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee, after hearing the appeal by conference call Friday morning, informed UGA officials late in the day that the original penalty will stand.
That means Green, who sat out Georgia’s first two games, will remain sidelined for the crucial game against No. 12 Arkansas and the Sept. 25 game at Mississippi State. He’ll be eligible to return for the Oct. 2 game at Colorado.
While the original suspension was imposed by NCAA staff, the appeal was heard by a committee consisting of officials from colleges and conferences across the country. The committee rejected Georgia’s appeal without public comment. The ruling was disclosed by UGA on Friday evening.
“We respect the committee’s decision and will focus on moving forward,” athletic director Greg McGarity said in a statement.
The NCAA’s investigation of Green, a junior who is widely projected as a high NFL draft pick if he turns pro next year, began in July as part of a series of probes at a number of schools into dealings between football players and agents.
The NCAA said last week that “according to the facts of the case submitted by Georgia,” Green sold the jersey to “an individual who meets the NCAA definition of an agent,” later identified as former North Carolina football player Chris Hawkins.
The NCAA defines an agent as “any individual who markets or promotes a student-athlete.” Hawkins has denied being an agent. It also would be against NCAA rules for a student-athlete to sell memorabilia to a non-agent.
Georgia has declined to release the “facts of the case” or other related documents. In response to an open-records request from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, UGA said it would not release the documents because doing so “would directly identify one particular student,” Green. The university said that would violate a federal law protecting student education records, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Green’s four-game suspension has drawn criticism from some Georgia fans because of another recent case in which Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus received a two-game suspension for accepting about $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.”
Another recent case, involving Middle Tennessee State quarterback Dwight Dasher, resulted in the same penalty as Green’s. The NCAA on Thursday suspended Dasher for four games for accepting $1,500 in “an impermissible loan from an individual in the community.”
Asked for comment on Friday’s ruling and the reason the appeal was denied, NCAA associate director of public and media relations Stacey Osburn said by e-mail “we do not have any further to share” beyond confirming the decision.
Georgia coach Mark Richt had held out hope that the appeal might put Green back on the field for Saturday’s game, but Richt said several times this week that the coaches were preparing the game plan on the premise that Green would not be available.
In a statement after Friday’s ruling, Richt said: “Our concentration is the same as the last two weeks, which is preparing for the next game. We’ll look forward to A.J.’s return for the Colorado game on Oct. 2.”
Green, who can continue to practice with the team during the suspension, was not available for comment.
His teammates were hoping for, but not necessarily expecting, good news on the appeal.
“It’s not something you can bank on because you never know,” tight end Aron White said at mid-week. “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.”
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704 comments Add your comment
The ole ball coach
September 17th, 2010
10:25 pm
Amazing Alabama guy took more but got less …..NCAA playing favorite no real rational
maybe Bama guys helping NCAA similiar to Tennessee years ago
South Carolina Hotel gate is swept under the rug much more $$$$$ that AJ – again no rationale
Monkey says:
September 17th, 2010
10:25 pm
Delbert D….you are very correct…we have approximately 68 schools in the major conferences sharing most of the bowl money ..around 84% of the bowl money, televsion money and marketing money. These large schools know if they institute a playoff you would have about 40 more FCS schools jumping up to FBS and then the number of schools dividing the pie would go to about 150 schools and the money would be proportioned. That money would be alot more money than they are getting now so their investment would be about 15 to 20% on return of their investment each year..not bad when fortune 500 companies average 6% to 10% margins if lucky. These kids are taken advantage of and on the other hand their greed is alot of their own making.
It is a vicious cycle…
Boss Hog
September 17th, 2010
10:26 pm
Delbert D.
It’s not going too change. You are right there is too much money for the BCS school to share it with the NCAA. With all these 10 and 12 team conferences forming and playing a championship game, you will actually have a play off system—-just no brackets.
Deepdiver565
September 17th, 2010
10:26 pm
5150 P.O.A.D.,
Just bring a flask with liquor into the stadium. Problem solved.
Sean
September 17th, 2010
10:27 pm
I am a Bama fan, but there is no way that GT would win a NC before UGA. Considering that GT has a cupcake ACC schedule one would think it’s possible, but GT can’t seem to win out each year. GT is irrelevant and will remain so while the SEC keeps winning NC’s. With that aside, I predict a UGA win tomorrow. UGA has a good team that has the potential to become a great team once kinks are worked out. Murray is impressive and will be a force come next year. Green will be back soon enough and then the team will roll through the rest of the schedule. I think that they can compete with UF this yr, that will be a great game to watch. RTR!
Deepdiver565
September 17th, 2010
10:28 pm
Boss Hog,
Major College presidents don’t want an occasional Boise State from winning a championship and taking some of that money they think belongs to them, even though they don’t earn on the field in a playoff.
TheAntiMe
September 17th, 2010
10:28 pm
A.J. Green is really, really, really, sorry he got caught. It must be true because he said so in a press conference. Thanks A.J., that really helps a lot.
a fan
September 17th, 2010
10:28 pm
the ncaa is the most hypocritical group of people that ever comprised a group. i hope each and every one of them rot in hell.
Billy
September 17th, 2010
10:28 pm
5150 P.O.A.D, In less than a year AJ will be a millionaire. He will wait until he leaves school and then file the lawsuit.
srcdawg1
September 17th, 2010
10:28 pm
it was a stupid kid mistake. i beleive cmr is too laxed in disipline. if my brothers and me screwed up we knew what our father would do to us. i beleive cmr is a good person. however, you can’t let the tail wag the dawg!!!!
sam
September 17th, 2010
10:28 pm
F*** the sum bitches
GaDawg
September 17th, 2010
10:29 pm
5150 P.O.A.D – you are truly stupid! Prine example why Tech Sucks! Do you really think a major university in the toughest conference would hire a high school coach to be their head coach? This really explains why Atlanta traffic sucks, Tech graduates design the road layout and infrastructure. WWPW and Godawgs you’re in the same boat rowing backwards.
Boss Hog
September 17th, 2010
10:29 pm
The ole ball coach
I don’t think so, the Bama player came clean immediately, AJ played it too cute (taking his time in responding) or flat out lied. That’s the only reasonable explination.
ReservoirDawg
September 17th, 2010
10:29 pm
I encourage everyone to go check out the CMR Mic’d up on georgiadogs.com I was amazed at how flat CMR is during practice. I saw a mic’d up session with Saban on ESPN and they have completely different styles. Saban had my blood boiling over the TV. Richt made me want to take a nap. I hope Grantham is getting after these boys because I don’t think they are being motivated by CMR.
dale morphy
September 17th, 2010
10:29 pm
Arkansas 32, Georgia 24
a fan
September 17th, 2010
10:30 pm
how much does UGA pay these weasels every year to get their sanction? Only worse organization is the EEOC. Bolshevicks, every one of them.
Sanford Drive
September 17th, 2010
10:30 pm
I love how your Techies are obsessed with calling UGA “rednecks”. Have you ever heard Paul Johnson speak?? Yet you idolize him.
brokeback jacket
September 17th, 2010
10:30 pm
Can the tech nerds see this Kansas asskicking from under the tickle pile?
a fan
September 17th, 2010
10:31 pm
ticket price and alumni contribution would probably be half what it it but for these sumbitches
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
10:32 pm
Deepdiver I wear cowboy boots so I can put Pints in them to bring in the Stadium, But the Bowls are different because it is my Christmas present to dad and myself or our New Years party. I like to Just have a drink in the open with no issues.
a fan
September 17th, 2010
10:34 pm
screw it. who cares anymore?
Sick of it
September 17th, 2010
10:35 pm
Why don’t the Jackets just post to their own issues? All they can do on a Friday night when they can’t get a date, is ruin the UGA talk.
A Delta Pilot
September 17th, 2010
10:36 pm
SOS, I’m going down in the Atlantic with every member of the NCAA beuaracray.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
10:41 pm
Sanford Drive if you live in or are from the South then you know the difference. Paul has a Country/Southern accent. Being a REDNECK is something totally different. There is Black and there is N. There is poor and then there is White Trash. There is country and there is Redneck. Do you get it now. Was ROY ROGERS REDNECK or just a Good Ole Country Boy with his accent and common sense values.
Monkey says:
September 17th, 2010
10:43 pm
Hello…..My Name is AJ GREEN and I am a Jersey Seller. This my first time to attend a Jersey Sellers Anonymous meeting. I have selling jerseys for 2 years now. I have not sold a jersey since early summer. I started selling jerseys after a guy who said he was “collector” loved my game and said he wanted to buy one. He actually gave me a $1000 dollars for that jersey and from then on I sold all my game worn jerseys, my practice jerseys and some sweaty socks, jocks, and undershirts. I do not know why I love selling my stuff, but I love the rush I get when some generous dude hands me over thousands of dollars and takes me to the Red Lobster.
I came here tonight to seek out help for my addiction and I know this addiction is a day by day process and I will work hard to not sell any more jerseys until the day after my last game when I announce I will be turning pro.On that day I will sell anything and everything not nailed down, but I in order to maintain my eligibilty I will not sell anything( as far as you know) to anyone.
Thank you..
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
10:43 pm
Sick of it what is your DATE doing? is she typing for you right now.
tdawg in Stockbridge
September 17th, 2010
10:43 pm
Can he keep the money?
Delbert D.
September 17th, 2010
10:44 pm
“Georgia has declined to release the “facts of the case” or other related documents. In response to an open-records request from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, UGA said it would not release the documents because doing so “would directly identify one particular student,” Green. The university said that would violate a federal law protecting student education records, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).”
I think that the AJC will still get the “facts of the case.” I read the Act, and it applies to “educational records” and “directory information.” The points being, the information is not “education records”, and the single student has already been identified, as Richt says. The fallacy is that the university’s response posits that a student could literally get away with anything, and as long as he is over 18, he can prohibit the school from releasing information about it.
bigcalidawg
September 17th, 2010
10:45 pm
Saban referred to agents as pimps, but I guess the NCAA refers to agents as dopemen. Cuz…..the dopeman A.J. just sold his jersey to just got popped with coke and weed.
This “agent-like” individual, is not an agent, and A.J. sold his own jersey to him.
4 games? For real?
Complete inequity…………
Much worse than the BCS
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
10:46 pm
Monkey thell AJ to call this phone number 215-773-4127. It is mike Vicks home #. He can help Green fix his image.
Monkey says:
September 17th, 2010
10:46 pm
bogcalidawg…….
for real Dawg….four games…
Monkey says:
September 17th, 2010
10:48 pm
5150 P.O.A.D……
You know that in Arkansas ……they actually condone inbreeding and dog beating…..watch out UGA….they may be related…
Spike
September 17th, 2010
10:48 pm
Win for one AJ!! Techies, he will be back in time for you! Be very afraid!!
Tom
September 17th, 2010
10:49 pm
Go Buffs!!!
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
10:51 pm
Well not really 4 games the first game was against La Laf and that is a scrimmage. USCeast get beats by the Dawgs all the time and Arkiesaw is never that good, but watchout for the powerhouse Miss State. I mean Tech beat the crap out of them the last 2 years in a row. AJ just missed the practice games for sure.
JELLO JOCKITCH
September 17th, 2010
10:52 pm
Despite his so called winning record at UGA, the most striking thing that RICHT’s football teams has done in the last 2 or so seasons is make mediocre players look great. He will lavish praises on the players of the other team so much to the point that you would think the other team is invincible that I wonder if his players believe this so much that they come out of the gates already defeated. In his last few games his teams have made mediocre players look like “Heisman” winners. Remember how he praised Lattimore.
dawgster
September 17th, 2010
10:53 pm
it saddens me to read some of the comments about AJ on here, but i guess he basically did it to himself…with that being said i don’t know his full reason, maybe he really neede the money, maybe his family needed it or maybe the jersey had no significant value to him..whatever his reason i think AJ has done severe damage to his image with the dawg fans and not sure if he will be looked at favorably later on…I would say that if AJ were to come back his Senior to atone to try and help the dawgs win next year, alot of this would be forgiven and he could take his rightful place as one of the best receivere to play at UGA…this may be selfish of the dawg fans part, but it could restore his image among fans…Depending what happens the rest of the season will go a long way into how AJ is viewed among dawg supporters..I’m not going bash the young man because i don’t know his whole story..he will probably be very rich and have a successful career in the NFL and i hope he does…i know the money would be hard to resist, but if he wanted to really make things right, he could stay and play his Senior year…of course you do risk a career ending injury…I know their are alot of people disappointed in AJ and hopefully people can forgive him…Some never will and this will probably always tarnish his image at UGA among dawg fans for years..I really do wish him well…go dawgs..
Monkey says:
September 17th, 2010
10:53 pm
The only reason Tech would be afraid is if his “drug selling, jersey collecting, game appreciating, homeboy shows up on the sidelines….at the game…
just kidding..just trying to rile you up….AJ is a heck of a player….and that is my point,,,look at Alabama, they lost A Heisman trophy winner, and their best Defensive player was suspended and they just moved on, All good teams find a way to win and one player should not be so dominant in a great program….
LakeDawg
September 17th, 2010
10:54 pm
None of this is going to matter if UGA doesn’t become more physical. Playing “thud” in practice ain’t gonna cut it. Neither is doing a more “intense version of thud.” UGA is soft and will be mediocre until they decide to get serious about football.
Sick of it
September 17th, 2010
10:54 pm
Everyone should go to ESPN online and look into this very bizarre situation regarding UNC and the supposed agent alumnus, etc. This is only the tip of the iceberg. Some of the USC players who played last weekend are still being investigated, also. Techies, stay out. This has nothing to do with you, and ESPN certainly doesn’t want your stupid comments.
Tron Jackson
September 17th, 2010
10:55 pm
At least the NCAA didn’t make Nick Saban mad by reducing AJ Green’s suspension
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
10:55 pm
Dooley was the biggest POOR MOUTH COACH ever. Vince NEVER NEVER had a team that could step on the field with anytoher SEC team if you listened to Vince.
Poke some fun! Do you Dawgs remember when Vince left UGA for the AUBURN JOB for a weekend? It happend long before Bobby Cremins did the same to Tech for South Carolina.
TallaDawg
September 17th, 2010
10:57 pm
The report can be disclosed under FERPA if the names and individually identifying information is redacted. It is not that difficult. UGa is trying to hide something else. I am a true Dawg, for the entire University, and I am sick of the football team embarrassing us. And, I am not talking about losses. I would be happier to lose with intelligent and respectful players, than win with ignorant and dishonest (Ogletree, etc.) players. If you cannot say the same thing, go cheer for an NFL or NBA team.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
11:01 pm
TallaDawg you know that will never FLY in Athens. Every beer bellied drunk redneck UGA fan can’t take losing over CLASS. How could the walmart UGA fans wear their camo UGA hat to the hunting club with pride if the dawgs actually won with class and character?
Delbert D.
September 17th, 2010
11:03 pm
Say it’s Richt’s move now. If he suspends or “redshirts” Green for the rest of the season, that means the NFL will have to base his on-field performance of his sophomore year, which will be over a year since he has played. That would be the “devaluation” strategy to try to convince Green to come back for another year. I think that is BS.
JELLO JOCKITCH
September 17th, 2010
11:05 pm
To Objective Sports Fan: That is even worse. It means GT players and coaches were tripping on themselves.
Tom
September 17th, 2010
11:05 pm
CU 35 UGA 13
P. Bull Terrier
September 17th, 2010
11:06 pm
It’s not surprising that the same organization that created the BCS has created another situation where it seems like it’s rules are randomly applied in favor of whichever team is most popular with the media at the moment. If the NCAA was willing to discuss the reason for the difference in punishments, we might understand and agree that what AJ did was more serious than what the Alabama player did. Without any other information, it sure looks like favoritism.
Using FERPA to circumvent Georgia’s Open Records laws is a load of crap. No one cares about AJ’s education records at UGA any more than they care about Matt Ryan’s high school report card. It’s all about football, TV, and money. Back when the AJC had money and ran a real newspaper, their lawyers would have been in court challenging UGA’s refusal to comply with Georgia law as soon as the doors opened. These days it’s easier to simply post a blog saying Tech players don’t like Georgia players, then sit back and watch the page views add up.
Monkey says:
September 17th, 2010
11:06 pm
Delbert, D. ..he is not coming back , he and his family can not afford to come back and CMR knows it. He will play him and if you think about it, he will come back fresh, and ready to play and just in time to go against some pretty good SEC competition. You know how athletes are in the final year of a contract, they produce and produce well to get that big pay day and contract, that is what AJ will be doing his final 8 games for UGA…
col fot
September 17th, 2010
11:07 pm
Arkansas wil put forty on board tomorrow against Georgia, score 41-23, Arkansas.