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
crabapplejoe
September 17th, 2010
7:39 pm
@Easssy who wrote: “crabapple, our pass defense is ranked top in the nation thus far. i know its early but that doesnt change the fact you’re still an idiot.”
Well let’s see, Georgia played Sisters of the Poor and then a South Carolina team who ran up and down the field on the Dawg defense and had no reason to throw the ball…and you think Georgia’s is ranked “top in the nation”…pleez …..let’s see how the Dawg passing defense ranks after MR. Mallett’s visit tomorrow….LMAO at the homer stupidity
FBfan
September 17th, 2010
7:39 pm
We should let this cancer go. When are we going to let the bad guys move on and quit distracting the good student athletes we have in school?
Boca Baby
September 17th, 2010
7:41 pm
All I want to know is why the Alabama player only got a two games suspension for actually meeting with an agent, taking money, etc. It looks like we have a double standard here. Does anyone remember the CFA? It is long past time to tell the NCAA to kiss it.
SEC Observer
September 17th, 2010
7:42 pm
Obviously Green was not truthful to the NCAA. He’s lucky he wasn’t suspended for the season.
Right On Time
September 17th, 2010
7:43 pm
the ncaa, that is
Man Enough
September 17th, 2010
7:44 pm
Horse Hockey!!!!!
TML
September 17th, 2010
7:44 pm
@Boca Baby…see my post on page 2. The NCAA expects schools to be self-patrolling. u[sic]ga has shown they can’t do that. “Ask” and you shall receive…unless you’re #8 for 4 games.
Ugalee1
September 17th, 2010
7:45 pm
I for one would love to know why the lieniency towards a kid that recieved 2 games for 2k and the other recieved 4 games for 1k. They always screw teams over to set up the games they believe will bring in the most ratings/money why should this year be any different? DOWN WITH THE NCAA!!!
the bitter truth
September 17th, 2010
7:45 pm
but if the ncaa did this to a uf, gt, bama, the list goes on player, they would be the darlins of the thUGA nation…talk about your double standard
Shech aint tit
September 17th, 2010
7:45 pm
Yellow Jack It, is that what you told your boyfriend last night?
Tired of the NCAA's BS
September 17th, 2010
7:45 pm
Several years ago there was a linebacker who played for Oklahoma named Brian Bosworth; he coined the perfect words for the NCAA “National
Communist Against Athletes!” This is just another one of their BS performances to show people that they are perfect; I would bet the farm that not one of them has never made a bonehead mistake before, “the penality does not fit the crime.” The NCAA has proven this year that they are not consistent on their decisions concerning suspensions. That committee needs to be appealed, and a fait committee formed. Another shot at Georgia by the NCAA; could it been because UGA did have a legitimate shot at playing in Atlanta for the SEC crown? UGA athetes are penalized by the NCAA very harsh, WHY? Other schools placed penalities against their players that did worst things than A.J. and they are playing tommorrow! The NCAA needs to express the reasoning behind their false findings, but they choose not to respond to their decision. The NCAA is punishing this athlete to harshly, not only to mention the university, fans, and alumni.
NCAA, you suck!
76-Dawg
September 17th, 2010
7:45 pm
What I can’t believe is the seniors not voting Green off the team . That’s the kind of leadership we have on our team now. I have heard that Green is remorseful but everybody is after they get caught for something that’s not right . Green didn’t give a da## about his teammates before he got caught. And I would repay the consideration to Green if I was a senior on this team.
Boca Baby
September 17th, 2010
7:47 pm
Steve “The King” Spurrier: UGA has not been a top tier SEC power for the past two decades? I beg your pardon but would not winning two SEC titles in the past decade and playing for a third not qualify as top tier? Lame brain, get a life.
Dawgs Tell
September 17th, 2010
7:47 pm
@TML—- I agree with some of your comments,but is the Univ. of Alabama ready for the heat when Uga fans and alumni find out that some one at Bama sent the NCAA our direction when Dareus was being talked to by the investigators. Sounds like a Tennessee job that was done to Ya’ll from year’s past. Like I said before, the whole story will come out when A.J. leaves.
Billy Jack could fight @ Tired of the NCAA's BS
September 17th, 2010
7:48 pm
My daddy taught me Bosworth was a “rat”….you’re saying he was wrong..???
pete
September 17th, 2010
7:48 pm
The ncaa is not to be faulted. If AJ doesn’t sell the jersey there is no issue. It’s AJ’s fault and he had the nerve to write on his twitter after the SC loss that someone’s going to pay when he returns to the field. Someone already did pay, his team. Thanks AJ.
Scooter
September 17th, 2010
7:48 pm
For all you Richt haters predicting his demise…well I have news from a very reliable source that Richt can basically stay at GA as long as he wants. The guys on the inside love Richt, appreciate his winning percentage and believe that he will again take GA to championships as he has before. Get used to it. Richt is here to stay.
Mike is an idiot
September 17th, 2010
7:48 pm
Mike, you sound like the typical uneducated hick. It’s not against the law to use a period by the way. Selling one’s jersey does not make them a “thug”. There are far more non-football students arrested at UGA than football players. Are they thugs too? Idiot!
Chester Gunn
September 17th, 2010
7:48 pm
What did he expect? Like they were going to say that this was OK? Get real…
We gave him the stage…and he screwed us….and now it’s our fault…No, hell no, it’s HIS fault….
TEARS TEARS TEARS
September 17th, 2010
7:48 pm
there sure is a lot of crying going on here. Greene made a mistake he needs to pay the price.
Boca Baby
September 17th, 2010
7:49 pm
TML: it was UGA that declared Green ineligible not the NCAA. If that is not self patrolling what is?
Chester Gunn
September 17th, 2010
7:50 pm
No, Mike..this cat is a thug….What crossed his mind when he jepordized our program???
NOTHING!!
TEARS TEARS TEARS
September 17th, 2010
7:51 pm
no selling a jersey doesnt make him a thug but it DOES show a lack of respect for the team. He’s going to be making millions of dollars in less than 6 months. $1000 can wait, AJ. This was HIS bad. STOP BLAMING THE NCAA people!
Ryckman
September 17th, 2010
7:51 pm
Ga by 10 over Arkansas. You will see one fired up team this week.
Ugalee1
September 17th, 2010
7:51 pm
Tears, no one is saying he should’ve gotten off scott free but atleast make the punishements fair across the boards.
dawg stuck in SC
September 17th, 2010
7:52 pm
Another perfect excuse for Mark Richt.
NCAA Politburo
September 17th, 2010
7:52 pm
Remember, we’re the same organization that suspended Dez Bryant for the season for having lunch with Neon Deion.
Deepdiver565
September 17th, 2010
7:52 pm
The NCAA does suck, but not because of the ruling against Green. It’s because they don’t pay players and allow them to make money. The NCAA just likes to make money off the players. They are plantation owners. They are pimps!
Boca Baby
September 17th, 2010
7:52 pm
Sorry Dogs: If that happens it will be the first time in seven years. You have no defense. Dawgs will keep Mallet off the field.
tim
September 17th, 2010
7:55 pm
this turn down of the Green appeal will, in my opinion, get deep in the heads of the puppies who thought for sure the NCAA would cut the penalty in half. Are you crazy…there’s been to much heat with all that’s gone on recently so if you get a penalty expect to serve all of it. What that means going forward for the puppies is You’ll be soundly beaten by the Razorbacks, and stunned next week by Miss State, and Dan Mullen knows how to beat up on you ladies…1 and 3 and your season is done! BTW you may not even be bowl eligible this year so the alums will miss the usual Twinkie Bowl held in Ludowici……suck eggs puppy lovers
George Roberts
September 17th, 2010
7:55 pm
A J’s suspension is the least of our problems. Our receivers can get the job done. We need to tackle, run block and open the playbook if we expect to win.
B-rad
September 17th, 2010
7:55 pm
NCAA, Barney Fifes without an Andy! Missing the forest for the trees without the guts or know how to get the real threats to the students or institutions. They keep punishing families without going after those who corrupt. Absolutely no GUTS or mission. I feel better knowingb they can effectively look after women’s field hockey. Don’t you???
Calvin
September 17th, 2010
7:55 pm
I agree with Scooter. I hear that everyone from Adams to Dooley and majority of trustees are in Richt’s corner. CMR is coach for next 10 years and will retire as one of the all time great coaches in UGA history.
Gainesville Dawg
September 17th, 2010
7:56 pm
Remember a few years ago when UGA filed suit against the NCAA and won???? It had to do with equal salaries or something. Needless to say, the NCAA has it in for UGA.
Freddy
September 17th, 2010
7:56 pm
How bout them BRAVES!!!!!!!!!! Losing again
It is what it is
September 17th, 2010
7:57 pm
Don’t panic. You guys have a lot of play makers on that team. They will step up, and you guys will likely win out the rest of your games.
Charles Barkley
September 17th, 2010
7:57 pm
NCAA got back at me for admitting taking money at Auburn by upholding AJs suspension!
Fastdawg
September 17th, 2010
7:59 pm
Alex Ogletree did not play in the first game. That was his twin brother Zander. He is called Zander, but his real name is Alexander. I’m sure the UGA student saw the name A. Ogletree on the back of the jersey & got them confused. It confused a lot of fans.
Delbert D.
September 17th, 2010
7:59 pm
@Billy Jack could fight – Here is a quickie from the Wiki: “Totalitarianism (or totalitarian rule) is a political system where the state, usually under the control of a single political person, faction, or class, recognizes no limits to its authority and strives to regulate every aspect of public and private life wherever feasible.”
Think Nazi Party, Hitler…or George Orwell’s “1984.”
georgiagirl
September 17th, 2010
8:00 pm
STOP BUYING ANYTHING THE NCAA PUT OUT THERE. THEY ARE THE REAL CHEATERS THEY MAKE MONEY OFF ALL THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN ON ALL THE THIS TEAMS OF ANY SPORTS.
Scooter
September 17th, 2010
8:00 pm
Richt’s winning percentage and two championships in 10 years and other top 10 finishes is far from mediocre. The guys that hire and fire know that, will keep Richt. Though he is not perfect–as an almost half-century year old life long GA fan–I am glad he is staying around for many years. Best for everyone to accept that and offer some support for our coach.
dawgfan13
September 17th, 2010
8:00 pm
This has nujthing to do with the topic but i am watching Carver, Columbus High on TV and if Georgia lets Alabama get Isiaha Crowell the talented running back, its going to be a terrible recruting year. This kid is a STUD! Georgia better get this guy and he is a better running back than anyone of the backs Georgia has now.
Billy Jack is mad at Freddy
September 17th, 2010
8:00 pm
Stop it…I’m watching it…..Braves are crumbling…don’t hit me when I’m down…please
I dont think so "Scooter"
September 17th, 2010
8:00 pm
Well I have heard that McGarity said he has 2 years to win a championship or he is gone. Now I cant say I believe McGarity actually said this but do believe that is his mentality. I think he expects greatness and intends to clean up along the way.
Dawg Fan
September 17th, 2010
8:02 pm
If he had only beat the crap out of a couple of people like the WR from the UT then maybe he would have only been suspended for one game.
Damn the nerve of him selling HIS own jersey.
Chester Gunn
September 17th, 2010
8:03 pm
If we are just going to be mediocre, we should not drag those good athletes down by bringing them to Georgia…We should let the one’s with potential go elsewhere….and just keep the one’s that suck..It’s really only fair..Why should any one else besides the fan’s get screwed…let them go and play somewhere like Florida or Alabama…..or even Troy State…Savannah State..Valdosta State…Georgia State…Kennesaw State…Just give the good one’s a chance..
Win P
September 17th, 2010
8:03 pm
Now would be the time to tell A.J. goodby and wish him well. Give the scholarship to someone who would appreciate it.
UGA '83
September 17th, 2010
8:04 pm
Way to go AJ! You’ve made all the UGA fans and alumni so proud.
SandlotSkot
September 17th, 2010
8:04 pm
We need to get some UGA Alumnus on that particular NCAA committee.It seems like Alabama does.
Chester Gunn
September 17th, 2010
8:05 pm
At least we have Jesus on our side… I feel much better now..