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
chickenman
September 17th, 2010
7:07 pm
total crap. there has to be more to it then what has been released.. this suspension is terrible for college football.. this is the BEST in the country and he cant play b.c. the ncaa is deciding to steal heismans and profit off of young players only when its in the best interest… if this was tebow they wouldnt of even done anything but get on their knees
DOO DOO LEE
September 17th, 2010
7:07 pm
your right about Bama being the biggest cheater of infractions but it appears they have the favor with the committee. I know that is hard for you dogheads to believe being that you believe the country thinks you all are the world champs year in and year out..
GoDawgs
September 17th, 2010
7:07 pm
I hate that I spent all off season getting jacked up about the beginning of football and then this happens. I wish richt would of played Murray last year when COX was sucking it up. FIRE RICHT>
CobbGOPer
September 17th, 2010
7:07 pm
I still think the NCAA can fark off about these things. These kids for the most part don’t come from particularly wealthy families. They go on athletic scholarships that A) absolutely do NOT allow them to have even an on-campus part-time job, and B) require them to pretty much be on-campus ALL YEAR LONG. These kids don’t have any money, and no way to make any money, and yet they’re required to stay at school 24-7. Is it any wonder that so many of them get in trouble for stupid things like underage drinking and shenanigans? Or that they try to make a little beer money on the side, so that they can at least go out and not have to limit their entire college existence to the weight room, practice field, class, and the dorm, as the NCAA apparently wants all student athletes on scholarship to do? But the NCAA and the universities have to protect their cash-cows, don’t they?
North Georgia Dawg
September 17th, 2010
7:08 pm
Did they really have to make us wait all day to give us this BS? If we lose this game Richt is done IMO. I am fed up with this crap year after year with the same old excuses. We recruit better than anybody but we always seem to get beat by teams with lesser talent. I’m starting to remember why I quit following UGA and college football in the mid-late 90’s. I sick of Richt and his good guy image… I want to win!!!
Delbert D.
September 17th, 2010
7:08 pm
Let’s see if Richt can use this teachable moment to convince Green to return for another year.
NerdCentral@NorthAve
September 17th, 2010
7:08 pm
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ha!
Todd
September 17th, 2010
7:08 pm
Mark Richt needs to hammer the NCAA in the media but he is too soft.
UGA Student
September 17th, 2010
7:08 pm
Smitty, that makes sense.
Thanks for clearing it up.
Whether he played or not, I still stand by my argument that our coach is a man that handles everything “internally” and sometimes when the boys are sitting on the bench, they should really be sitting behind bars.
Sorry, but its about time he has a zero tolerance policy. Remember when he threatened to bench anyone that had a foul against GT last year…we had maybe one (if I recall correctly) penalty the whole game after a season of penalties right and left.
how2fish
September 17th, 2010
7:08 pm
Well this is bad, but we will have to man up and win without A.J till the Colorado game pretty simple really. Go Dawgs!
Gooddawg
September 17th, 2010
7:08 pm
Hey T-Rex. Part of Richt’s job is to take these players from high school to manhood. Part of the problem is that these kids have never had anyone give them proper direction and leadership. Giving up on them would be the easy way out. That’s not what expect from Richt.
See my comment about slavery.
NerdCentral@NorthAve
September 17th, 2010
7:09 pm
Stew in it, doggie fans.
Calvin Ruff Ruff
September 17th, 2010
7:09 pm
UGA Student at 6:53 p.m. You are 100% wrong. It was Alec’s brother, Zander Ogletree that played in the game. Remember, there are twin brothers on this team. Richt was not being soft in this case. As far as AJ, we will win without him. He did the deed, now he pays the price. Yes, it is a very unfair consequence but we have to move on. THIS IS A TEAM SPORT.
Red Panties
September 17th, 2010
7:09 pm
Don’t pull on superman’s cape, don’t spit into the wind, and when you sell your jersy, don’t LIE to the NCAA
Who Dat Hawg
September 17th, 2010
7:09 pm
Doesn’t matter little pups. You could have Andre Johnson, and still not win tomorrow. As always, pre-season overrated bitches
how2fish
September 17th, 2010
7:09 pm
NerdCentral@NorthAve hey I think the Jay Hawks just scored again…
Dawgs Drool!
September 17th, 2010
7:09 pm
NCAA doesn’t have an agenda for you stupid “pups”. You need to be more worried about CMR’s inability to coach his Rivals Top 10 recruiting classes worth a crap! 1-2 after the Razorbacks get finished with you butt sniffin’, ball lickin’ pups on Saturday!
rednblack
September 17th, 2010
7:09 pm
Red shirt his a$$ or let him frekin leave. He has hurt this program and Richt has allowed it by having players not afraid to get into trouble. Richt and Bobo make excuses by not “opening up the offense” for the young QB. He’s your dang QB at UGA–He is extremely talented. Do not hold anything back. If you do, you will all be looking for a damn job.
NerdCentral@NorthAve
September 17th, 2010
7:09 pm
Dogs “might” be able to beat Colorado. There’s a win for you. Something to look forward to.
the bitter truth
September 17th, 2010
7:09 pm
ingram was out and bama won nicely…guess they have more than one capable player over there. richt said the green thing wasn’t an issue before last weeks game…so that means the dogs just plain ol stink? players hangin with coke dealers? gotta love the thUGA nation…..
how2fish
September 17th, 2010
7:10 pm
Who Dat Hawg how bad did we beat your team last year? STFU or declare yourself!
NORRIS
September 17th, 2010
7:10 pm
so an NFL player can rape a woman and get 4 games and that is the same thing as selling your own jersey. dont seem to add up to me.
Rothlesburger rapes a woman gets 4 games. Green sells his own jersey.
which of course is not a crime…
go figure.
Billy Jack could fight
September 17th, 2010
7:10 pm
I guess I’m with how2fish….no need in pouting…the gavel has been slammed…Go Dawgs..!! it’s still BS….we got screwed
ValleyDawg
September 17th, 2010
7:10 pm
Boycott Indianapolis. Put the pressure on.
StraightJacket
September 17th, 2010
7:11 pm
Actually, Ugag doesn’t need A.J. GREENBucks to beat Arky OR Miss State. Arky can’t play defense at all, and Miss State doesn’t have the athletes to compete with Ugag.
Now that Washedup Early has replaced KnowLess Moron as the “feature back” at Sanford & Son Stadium, I seriously doubt he could have two game-changing fumbles in consecutive weeks.
Ryan Mullett throws for a mile-and-a-half, but the Mutts will win by 10. Something like 55-45; a score indicative of a great defensive struggle ….
… for a basketball game.
0ld timer
September 17th, 2010
7:11 pm
I’ve been around this game a mighty long time.My thoughts would be kick his a$$ of the team. he is not a team player.Quit petting the idiot.
lamar
September 17th, 2010
7:11 pm
Let me get this straight, South Carolina’s players get 4 games for taking funds from agents yet they win the apeal and only get 2 games? If I was Green I would skip the rest of the year and take my millions in the draft and then let the DAMN SORRY NCAA TAKE IT AWAY FROM ME!!!! Wonder what their excuse was to let other guys off the hook and not Greens!! It makes you hate the sport of college football!
ncbulldawg86
September 17th, 2010
7:11 pm
UGA student, are you special? I mean, you do realize UGA has two Ogletree’s on the team, Alex and Alec, right? So, are you sure you want to stick with your ignorance about who played and who didn’t?
GTHO here with your bs.
GoDawgs
September 17th, 2010
7:11 pm
NERD CENTRAL – REMEMBER KANSAS!!!!
Who Dat Hawg
September 17th, 2010
7:11 pm
Your qb sucks, pimpin. Hogs by AT LEAST 30 tomorrow
CobbGOPer
September 17th, 2010
7:12 pm
Oh, and if we don’t beat Florida this year, I say CMR can go join the other loser coaches doing color commentary for ESPN.
outraged
September 17th, 2010
7:12 pm
I agree Todd, but he is to much of a saint for that. I like Coach Richt, but this is one time he needs to be like Saban and Meyer and tell the NCAA that this is BS
Delbert D.
September 17th, 2010
7:12 pm
“UGA Student at 6:53 p.m. You are 100% wrong. It was Alec’s brother, Zander Ogletree that played in the game. Remember, there are twin brothers on this team.”
Somebody starting a jersey-switching conspiracy theory?
UGA Student
September 17th, 2010
7:12 pm
Cobb, I agree with you to an extent.
Yes, these boys may not have a job, but I promise you they aren’t dirt poor. When I see TKing and Boling and other players (I mentioned these two because they have already been arrested for underage drinking, and I won’t bring down the names of others I know) downtown absolutely smashed drunk, then you can’t argue much for them having no life or money.
Then again, if I had a season like last years, I might be wasting my sorrows away in The Loft or Flannigans
Besides, these boys have a chance at making millions after 3-4 years, so don’t give me this garbage that they are depressed or need a life.
NORRIS
September 17th, 2010
7:12 pm
i agree. AJ should let the NCAA have it and go ahead and declare for the draft. He should make a statement!!
the bitter truth
September 17th, 2010
7:13 pm
you can’t handle the truth! ga players are a bunch of self serving law breakers who think their athletic ability should cover their wrongs-it’s just a game people. would you let green date your daughter? hold your house keys while you go on vacation? probably not even in a winning season……
wpww dawg
September 17th, 2010
7:13 pm
nerdcentral shut the phuck up how many times have the DAWGS beat TECH A$$E$ in the last 10 years? thats right nuff said!! oh yeah KANSAS?!?!?!?!
0ld timer
September 17th, 2010
7:13 pm
I did not repeat my blog .Quit saying i did.AJC.
Die-Hard UGA Fan
September 17th, 2010
7:13 pm
I say it again; do any of you, even the light-in-the-loafers Ga. Tech “fans,” really believe that a jersey changed hands for that $1k? Anybody seen it? As for the Arkansas ex-pats, who wrote the message for your illiterate butt?
ryan
September 17th, 2010
7:13 pm
If we fire CMR than we loose those great recruits we have Crowell and Drew coming i don’t want loose this great class .
Tombo
September 17th, 2010
7:13 pm
NerdCentral – Gotta hand it to you – that t-shirt joke was pretty funny…and pretty much on target. But I still hate your school.
0ld timer
September 17th, 2010
7:14 pm
Kick hisa$$ off team.
Delbert D.
September 17th, 2010
7:14 pm
Totalitarianism makes everything against the rules and then selectively enforces them.
This is not right!!!
September 17th, 2010
7:15 pm
UGA Student
AGIAN IT WAS HIS BROTHER THAT PLAYED NOT HIM!
David Granger
September 17th, 2010
7:15 pm
Well, he’s certainly not without fault. And I’m a Georgia fan, so caveat emptor…but I fail to understand how Marcell Dareus is given a two-game suspension for accepting $1700 worth of airline tickets outright…just a free and clear “gift”. While AJ Green sells a jersey for $1000 and ends up being suspended for FOUR games.
lamar
September 17th, 2010
7:15 pm
I BET THEM DAMN HOG”S WANT BE RUNNING THEIR MOUTH TOMMOROW!! YOU WILL HEAR THEIR SQUALS FROM ARKANSAS WHEN THE GA D GETS THROW WITH MALLETT!!
Ironwood
September 17th, 2010
7:15 pm
North Georgia Dawg. I suggest UGA hire Bruce Pearl for the football team. Maybe then you will win.
the bitter truth
September 17th, 2010
7:16 pm
what part of “don’t do the following” don’t these pumped up jocks understand?
Leroy Farted
September 17th, 2010
7:16 pm
Go sit in a corner and CRY like the little babies you are. He is an overrated loser. UGA has a MUCH overrated program. This season will show just how poor the program really is. HAHAHAHAHA !!!!!
Boss Hog
September 17th, 2010
7:16 pm
Another poodle bites the dust, now Richt has a good excuse for losing.