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
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
11:42 pm
Maybe, UGA/RUSS with the white painted butt, will be just like Ole Yeller and get the Hydraphobie after tangeling with the wild hogs.
gadawgs
September 17th, 2010
11:42 pm
what’s really sad is that if Meyer does not kick Rainey of the team and allows him to play the NCAA will not say a word. They will allow a player accused of a felony (threatening someones life) to play. Maybe a one or two game suspension and aj gets four. what and see.
ga fan
September 17th, 2010
11:42 pm
no games for me tomorrow. not going to watch this crap.
JELLO JOCKITCH
September 17th, 2010
11:43 pm
P.O.A.D = Nesbitt of Heisman.
Sug
September 17th, 2010
11:43 pm
ESPN says 2 games was right for AJ, Mr. College Football says 2 games were right, but the NCAA rules 4? Extreme.
SonofaDawg
September 17th, 2010
11:44 pm
What I don’t get is how the NCAA consider’s the former UNC player as a agent! “Consider’s?” Is he an agent or not?
Common Sense
September 17th, 2010
11:44 pm
Richt is soft.
It’s worth noting that Stinchcomb fired the team up at halftime in ‘05 to beat Auburn
I cannot recall ONCE a UGA player stating that Richt inspired them.
Pray the Rosary, perhaps….and that’s nice.
Inspire them? Never once.
UGA BLOWS AZZ
September 17th, 2010
11:45 pm
hahahahahahahaha………………maybe he can wear the red panties tomorrow for support. UGA = Joke = 1-2 after Mallet throws for 600 yards tomorrow. Nothing like starting the season 1-2 after your usual overachieving dreams. Same old story, it’s either a rebuilding year, or next year is your year.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
11:45 pm
Rainey like Ruben houston at Tech will have to wait for the Legal system to work out his future. I know you are a DAWG, but there is the lil thing called Innocent until proven guilty. AJ was proven GUILTY where as Rainey has not been judged Guilty in a court of LAW.
JELLO JOCKITCH
September 17th, 2010
11:46 pm
P.O.A.D = Nesbitt for Heisman = GT for BCSNC.
Lattimore:
September 17th, 2010
11:47 pm
Hey Georgia…………………I am still running……………………………………………..running and running some more. I torched your sorry D for 182 yards as a freshman. Looks like your new D coordinator is doing a great job. Maybe you should consider teaching tackling at UGA. Maybe your players can make an A in that class.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
11:47 pm
Last I checked ESPN and Tony Blowhard are not the NCAA, but just talking heads.
IDAHO STATE
September 17th, 2010
11:48 pm
You better hope you have BJ Green back for our game, as we are flat out loaded.
Thomp
September 17th, 2010
11:48 pm
Is AJ the most selfish Bulldog ever? Don’t blame the NCAA for following the rules, blame who should be blamed! AJ! Kick him off the team as far as I care.
JELLO JOCKITCH
September 17th, 2010
11:49 pm
COMMON SENSE: Have some of your name, Richt is not a Catholic and will not know how to pray the rosary.
Hog Heaven
September 17th, 2010
11:50 pm
It’s play by play between the rotten hedges……………mallet is back to pass………………..oh my,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,he has all day, he throws………….it’s a 60 yard pass …………TD …………Ark kicks off, 3 and out for UGAG. Mallet gets it back…………..drops back and oh no, it’s another 60 yard bomb. Maybe, Larry should call this game.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
11:51 pm
I hear Richt is so excited about tommarows game he THUDed his wife tonight. No real hard contact but he will have to wash his jockeys in the morning.
SonofaDawg
September 17th, 2010
11:51 pm
Arkansas won’t put 40 up on the dawgs. They only put up 31 on ULM and UGA put 55 up against their cupcake opponent. UGA 24 Ark 17
Jailyard Mutts
September 17th, 2010
11:52 pm
Hey, look at the bright side. we lead the nation in player arrests with 8. Now, that’s a great stat that will go down in the history of Glory Glory old UGAG ……………..LMFAO! It’s the panty waste Jailyard dawgs………………woof woof woof arrest em danno
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
11:52 pm
Jello I am not catholic and I know how to pray the rosery and say my our fathers and Hail Mary’s.
Dreamin
September 17th, 2010
11:53 pm
SonofaDawg
Just like you said you beat SC in Columbia. What happened there? Arkansas wins with Mallet alone. Hogs 31 UGA 14
JELLO JOCKITCH
September 17th, 2010
11:54 pm
Nesbitt for Heisman = GT for BCSNC.
Monkey says:
September 17th, 2010
11:55 pm
Lets really look at the Razorbacks at UGA game on Saturday as related to AJ Green not being able to play. Last year UGA had a veteran quarterback who probably had his best game as a bulldog by throwing for over 350 yards and 4 touchdowns…i think..not sure on that touchdown number. AJ Green at 7 catches for over 130 yards and two touchdowns. Now you have a darn good freshman quarterback who will have to throw the football to win and play without your best Wideout. UGA will need a big game out of Durham. UGA will need to win the turnovers game and keep Arkansas from scoring under 24 points if UGA is going to have a chance to win. If Arkansas scores early then UGA will really have to keep Murray without turnovers and forced passes.
UGA wins the kicking game, but the experience factor goes to Arkansas…losing AJ in a game like this will hurt as Arkansas will score more points than USC did last week
Dreamin
September 17th, 2010
11:55 pm
All you play is cupcakes with the exception of SC which was a loss, GT which will probably be a loss, coz you won’t have any players, UF which is always a loss and the rest of your schedule is a joke and you still lose 5 games and welcome to the Terd Bowl with all those bluechippers. UGA is on the downslide, just admit it, your team suxs.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
11:56 pm
PEOPLE PEOPLE you can’t post a UGA score that doesn’t come in 3s UGA can’t find the endzone.
HAHAHAHAHA
I hope I don’t have to eat my words tommarow, but it is fun talking crap the da before the game.
Independence Bowl
September 17th, 2010
11:56 pm
Hey now, take it easy on Georgia. We will give them a bid to play Ga. State.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
11:57 pm
tomarrow. Damn, Jack is working on me hard now. I guess I should not go play online poker tonight.
JELLO JOCKITCH
September 17th, 2010
11:57 pm
P.O.A.D…GOOD for you if that is true.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
11:57 pm
Jello KING for the SANKS RB award.
Darma
September 17th, 2010
11:57 pm
I still want my nasty red panties back. Who has them now? Grantham, or AJ Green, or did your team frame them and pass them around pregame?
17-6
September 17th, 2010
11:58 pm
LOL! Nuff said, you buddy and bets friend Spurrier spanked your mutts with a freshman running back. man, how embarrassing.
Monkey says:
September 17th, 2010
11:59 pm
5150 P.O.A.D…..did you see my movie advisory for UGA above..click on the link…that will surely fire up some doggies…..
JELLO JOCKITCH
September 18th, 2010
12:01 am
Nesbitt for Heisman ==== GT for BCSNC
Common Sense
September 18th, 2010
12:03 am
@ JELLO JOCKITCH
Richt ain’t Catholic.
He ain’t a respected football coach either.
It was an analogy. Get over it.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 18th, 2010
12:04 am
Monkey have you ever seen that type of fire from Richt?
SonofaDawg
September 18th, 2010
12:05 am
I’m not sold on Arkansas. Mallot is good but he seems to be the only name I hear from Hog fans. Who else is on the team? UGA 24 Ark 17
Jack
September 18th, 2010
12:07 am
Good…Hopfully this would teach him a lesson.
AJ Green case vs Marcel Dareus case
September 18th, 2010
12:07 am
Fascinating to watch all the dawg fans whining and complaining about the bama player only getting a 2 game suspension and AJ getting 4 games.
Sometimes it is truly amazing just how stupid you dawg fans really are. Its amazing. These 2 cases are like apples and oranges.
The difference is that AJ was not very truthful or very forthcoming. In the case of the Bama player he left the party when he found out an agent hosted it, he brought it up to coach Saban and Alabama compliance. The NCAA didn’t have to come looking for dareus. He and Bama alerted the ncaa to what happened and fully investigated and reported the findings. It was handled in the exact fashion that the NCAA wants these things to be handled. In Green’s case the NCAA had to come to campus to find out what was happening.
And regarding Dareus in his testimony the NCAA stated that Dareus was probably the most truthful student athlete they had ever interviewed. Those are the NCAA’s words. Not mine. Had AJ been as forthcoming perhaps he wouldn’t be serving a 4 game suspension. He has only himself to blame. Get over it dog fans.
Monkey says:
September 18th, 2010
12:07 am
Never…..have you notice how much weight CMR has gained over the winter….he must have been hanging with the former AD….and eating at Chicken and Waffles after 2 a.m.
Soulja Boy
September 18th, 2010
12:08 am
The NCAA and the referees have been watching since Richt ordered the infamous “end zone dance” against UF. The 42 arrests and Mr. Red Panties didn’t help Green’s case. I think that the message to His Holiness is, if you don’t get control of your hoodlums, we will.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 18th, 2010
12:08 am
Sonofa You can’t be SOLD on the HOGS they are not like the dawgs. They don’t sell rings or jerseys. You can be a dawg because you BUY into the HYPE and player memorabilia.
SonofaDawg
September 18th, 2010
12:10 am
AJ Green case vs Marcel Dareus case
————————————————————————–
Imma dawg fan and have not whined about alabama’s player vs. A.J., so ALL UGA fans are not whining. Get it together! UGA 24 Ark 17
5150 P.O.A.D
September 18th, 2010
12:10 am
I saw the dawg fans post that Richt looked fat so I checked the pics and standing next to The Darth Visor Richt does look a lil pudgy. What is the Water Girl cooking at home?
Monkey says:
September 18th, 2010
12:10 am
5150..i have seen a guy with one of those voice boxes stuck to his throat get more fired and loud than Richt does…
SonofaDawg
September 18th, 2010
12:12 am
5150 P.O.A.D
September 18th, 2010
12:08 am
Sonofa You can’t be SOLD on the HOGS they are not like the dawgs. They don’t sell rings or jerseys. You can be a dawg because you BUY into the HYPE and player memorabilia.
———————————————————————————————————————
What the hell are you talking about? I’m talking about the game and how the dawgs are gonna roast the hogs. BTW if you haven’t been updated So. Miss 31 Kansas 16. Take that with ya
5150 P.O.A.D
September 18th, 2010
12:13 am
Don’t talk about the voicebow I smoke and that really does scare me. i do however have a great Marine D.I. Voice.
Dirty Dawg
September 18th, 2010
12:14 am
Hell, if we lose these next two, then I’m for just telling AJ to ‘hit the road’. He’ll have already cost us any chance of success this year and since he’ll clearly be gone next year no reason to have him hanging around to remind us that his stupidity cost the program, along with his teammates, an entire season. Sorry AJ, but dammit you’re the one that screwed the pooch here.
Roy Wood
September 18th, 2010
12:16 am
The Mitigating Circumstances is He did not play for Florida or ALA.The Nerd is really trying to get rid of Richt.If he is as bad as you say I would want him to Stay cause Johnson will never beat him consistantly.The SEC should tell the NCAA to go straight to He– and form their own association.The Ncaa should at least make punishment uniformed.I did not expect anything from them maby at the end of the season they will say they were wrong.I hate that bunch of money making sobs.Wonder how much they got payed
5150 P.O.A.D
September 18th, 2010
12:16 am
Why would I take a KU v So Miss score with me? And where should I take it?
The Best game of the weekend could be down on the Plains. Clemson v Auburn in the battle of the State Cow Colleges from South Carolina and Alabama.
SonofaDawg
September 18th, 2010
12:18 am
5150 didn’t your team lose to kansas? That was point.