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
Billy Jack @ double D
September 17th, 2010
8:05 pm
thanks for the intelligible answer without hate…(note the hyperbole)…you seem smart…howcome the Braves are down 0-3 and I don’t see them winning..??? heal me…
Delbert D.
September 17th, 2010
8:05 pm
@ugalee1 – “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.”
I’d say it was because Marcel Dareus became an informant for the NCAA investigation.
@georgiagirl – “Stop buying anything the NCAA put out there.”
I don’t think they are into merchandising; tee-shirts, coffee cups, etc.
Just the facts
September 17th, 2010
8:06 pm
NCAA- No Clue At All.
Scooter
September 17th, 2010
8:07 pm
10 years of Richt. Two SEC Championships. Played for a third. Fantastic winning percentage. Won almost every bowl game in those 10 years and yes 10 bowls we have played. GA, under Richt, will probably win NC in next 5 years. Last year was tough. This year will probably be tough with new DC and system and lots of transition at UGA. However, the light is shining at end of tunnel. Almost there. Worst thing that could happen is to fire CMR. No worries though, as I said, his job is safe for next 10 years.
Chester Gunn
September 17th, 2010
8:09 pm
Scooter….And which bowl are we going to lose this year? That would be an interesting pool?
TEARS TEARS TEARS
September 17th, 2010
8:09 pm
Chester quit whining. “we might as well let them go somewhere else we watse so much talent” dont be so self-endulgent in your moping.
Buffalo Bob
September 17th, 2010
8:10 pm
Too bad,
So sad.
Too bad, dawgtards. Clean up your act, and this kind of stuff doesn’t happen.
Cheer up, you’ve got a lock on the Fulmer/Richt Cup.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
8:11 pm
But I just sold My jersey to My Friend to get momma’s new man somz Malt Liquor for the tailgate party.
Chester Gunn
September 17th, 2010
8:12 pm
Tears….I quit moping when we lost the weedeater-cheapass lawnmover bowl to some nobody team out of the great wild west..no self indulgence here…and no moping….Richt is like Pelosia and Obama…LOST!!!!
Terrance
September 17th, 2010
8:13 pm
And the meltdown has begun….Georgia will win no more than 4 games this year.
And that’s as it should be for the dawgturd thugs.
@5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
8:14 pm
Colt 45 or the Bull..???? please tell me Colt 45..I’ve vomited the Bull..it wasn’t pretty….
Delbert D.
September 17th, 2010
8:14 pm
Billy Jack @ double D – Thanks for the compliment, but I don’t have those kind of powers. I just kind of hang around these blogs and try to provide insight, answers when I can, or at least clues for the people who post.
Blah Blah Blah
September 17th, 2010
8:14 pm
Typical Ga fans-when things go right it’s because uga is so great-when things go wrong it’s ALWAYS someone else who is at fault.
Since the NCAA is a VOLUNTARY organization of member Universities-why is uga still a member if they are being picked on? Get out or shut up crybabies!
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
8:14 pm
The NCAA approves merchandise. They don’t sell it. If you do not want the NCAA sells then never attend a college sporting event or watch it on TV. I bet you will not last a month and the NCAA knows this FACT.
Chester Gunn
September 17th, 2010
8:14 pm
Serious Poll Question….If Georgia wins only 4 games this year, will the “Savior in Waiting” still have a job?
My guess is NOT!!!
SandlotSkot
September 17th, 2010
8:15 pm
Fire CMR and get it over with.This season gone. Hire Kirby Smart and lets move on.Even with all the softies on our schedule, we will only win 8 games. HireKirbySmart.com
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
8:16 pm
No man Old English 800 Iz classy that way. .45 is what I keepz in my wasteban.
DawgNation
September 17th, 2010
8:18 pm
6-3 Braves!!!
Pigeon
September 17th, 2010
8:18 pm
That Scooter……….isn’t he/she the fool???
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
8:18 pm
The Braves up 6-3 in the top of the 4th in new york.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
8:19 pm
Crowell looks good on ESPN2. Carver v LaGrange.
BAMA FAN
September 17th, 2010
8:19 pm
The NCAA is the one on thin ice in my opinion. A few more seasons of this crap and the big time programs will tell the NCAA to “F” off. The board of regents determines the academic viability of an institution, while the NCAA merely profits from TV contracts of major conferences/programs. At some point, the SEC and USC, Miami, TX, ND, and other “relevant” programs will say, enough…We’ll play football in OUR stadiums and F off NCAA. Guess what, the NFL has deeper pockets, and we play better football than those who follow your rules. Take away 1/3 of a 1st round draft pick’s final season (after already suffering a loss) in Green and away let that THUG at UT (Ra”Dick Rogers) off with nothing for a major bar fight, not to mention the Vol Hookers from last years recruiting circuit. We have all we need to create our own Athletic program, players, stadiums, and money. Mark it DOWN NCAA.
Delbert D.
September 17th, 2010
8:21 pm
@5150 “If you do not want the NCAA sells then never attend a college sporting event or watch it on TV. I bet you will not last a month and the NCAA knows this fact.”
Clear evidence of totalitarianism. The subjects to their rule are brainwashed and intentionally addicted.
@5150 P.O.A.D & Delbert
September 17th, 2010
8:21 pm
you had to go OLD ENGLISH on me…..darn you….
Delbert…I’m happy now..Braves are up…(can I ping you from now on when the Bravos are losing.?? )
Blah Blah Blah
September 17th, 2010
8:22 pm
come on, let’s all have a group hug for the little puppy dogs-everybody is picking on them, and they are sad.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
8:22 pm
The best news for Dawg fans is the FACT No TEAM wants to hire away Richt or Bobo. You can keep those coaches all to yourselves.
RJ DAWG
September 17th, 2010
8:23 pm
UGA sued the NCAA back in the 1980’s costing the NCAA TV rights and millions of dollars.Oklahoma was a part of this suit and was later hammered by the NCAA.So whenever the NCAA can stick it to UGA you can bet they will.It was no way that UGA was going to win this appeal.
Please stop with the homer accusations already!!!
September 17th, 2010
8:24 pm
OK. This is a blog about a UGA player. You all read the title…and I’d wager several of you read the article. So why in the world are there idiots calling people “homers”? A Journalist should be unbiased and objective. Bloggers do not have that same requirement. WTF are some of you thinking? Here is the news…UGA fans post on UGA blogs. A UGA fan posting on a UGA blog is not a homer–they are merely a fan. The same thing happens on every team’s blog all over the country. Anyone surprised to find UGA fans posting UGA sympathetic things on a UGA blog is dumb as a rock.
Next, the suspension is too long–based on the facts made available to the public. If nothing more has gone on, the NCAA’s decision is horendous.
Finally, Alec Ogletree was suspended and did not play in the opener. His twin brother…who also sports A. Ogletree on his jersey, played on special teams in game one.
One request before I go: Stupid people please stop posting. Ughh.
Billy Jack.....wipes his rear end w/ RTR
September 17th, 2010
8:24 pm
5150 P.O.A.D …..Crowell will be a dawg…you know that correct..?? dead gummit…now it’s 6-4
Blah Blah Blah
September 17th, 2010
8:25 pm
that is the whole point BAMAFAN, if the universities really want to change things then get together and do it! They are the NCAA, without the schools there is no NCAA.
Chester Gunn
September 17th, 2010
8:26 pm
5150 P.O.A.D…..You are correct in your assessment..Nobody is trying to hire them out from underneath us…and regrettably, we are stuck with them…Larry is probably beside himself right now..
Dawg in gatorville
September 17th, 2010
8:27 pm
You people that call for Richt to be fired are stupid! Go be a fan of some other school.UGA does not want or need you as fans.
Scooter
September 17th, 2010
8:28 pm
Why the vitriolic attitude about Richt’s Christian faith? Wouldn’t hurt the #1 party school to follow suit.
RIcht’s a faithful man in the midst of party-city trying to bring order out of the chaos that already exists on campus. Have you been to down-town lately? Richt is not leaving GA anytime soon so perhaps you could redirect your anger.
JELLO JOCKITCH
September 17th, 2010
8:28 pm
Let us see how tough McGarrity can really be on those offensive coaches if UGA lose any of the next two games. I will be better of UGA to change coaches now while the season is early, so if there are recruits who will change their mind, they can rethink later before signing day in February.
Mudcatjoe
September 17th, 2010
8:28 pm
Hahahahaha! Can’t buy off everbody Richt! Refs – yes, NCAA – No!!
Cuz
September 17th, 2010
8:29 pm
Just for grins and giggles Coach RIcht should sit out AJ for the first quarter of the Colorado game.
Chester Gunn
September 17th, 2010
8:31 pm
Dawg in gatorville…If you are in favor of 10 more years of this lame crap, my hat is off to you my friend..We like sending MILLIONS to Athens, only to lose the important games…It’s who we are..
JELLO JOCKITCH
September 17th, 2010
8:31 pm
Fire BOBO, and have RICHT take back his old job as offensive coordinator and coach.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
8:32 pm
Please Stop why does the Other Ogletree hav an A on his jersey? I thought his name was Zander! Oh I forgot he is cool and his mom couldn’t spell alexander with all the right letters. It is easier to call the AA players Alphabet 1 alphabet 2 alphabet 3. Who can really spell their names or pronunce them anyway until the Bond hearing? Sorry but I had to go there because it was just too easy. Da’Rick, Zander, Daquan, and Shamalockazulu please meet the person that is looking to hire you. Hi (@*(&#&# my name is Ray Brown and I can tell we have so much in common already. Do you speel your name with 2 qs and a Z after the Da’?
Chester Gunn
September 17th, 2010
8:32 pm
Fire BOBO, and have RICHT take back his old job as offensive coordinator and coach.
Have Richt take back his old job at FSU!!!
nmdawg
September 17th, 2010
8:32 pm
Every school and program has compliance officers who explan the rules of play to the athletes. It is not a comparaive thing, in my opinion. You were informed that if you did this action, whatever it is, you can expect a punishment. Don’t compare AJ’s trnsgressions to anyone else. Like we try to teach ou own, “non college superstar” kids, here are the rules and here is the consequence. To blame it on anyone else is alued at about $80, and he decided because o ego that his is worth way more, despite the rules. The kid had to kow that a jersey is worth about $80, but because of masive ego, thought his was worth more than ten times that much. That just makes him stupid and feeling that he is aove the rules becasue of his sature as a player. Dont defend him. The NCAA is messed up, but that does not mean that all programs have to be messed. You do not have to follow others because “they do it too”. Like the lemmings of the sea, a little thought on your own can save you a lot of problems. GO DAWGS!!!!
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
8:33 pm
Cuz how is Baylie doing? What game are you going to make it to this year? Have a good weekend and you know I just love picking FUN. Give Baylie a hug.
Ray Washington
September 17th, 2010
8:33 pm
Now this is what you call just a bunch of Bull. An alabama player takes money from an agent and only gets one game, and AJ sells his jersey, “HISJERSEY” and gets 4 games. what does this tell you people? please tell me how you feel about this?
Concerned
September 17th, 2010
8:34 pm
This team is out of control! FIRE MARK RICHT!!!
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
8:36 pm
Cuz should I start calling the old 63 Galaxie POS I drive sometimes a M Adams now?
Deepdiver565
September 17th, 2010
8:37 pm
5150 P.O.A.D.,
The NCAA takes a cut of every piece of merchandise sold my friend.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
8:37 pm
Yes, I do know Crowell is a UGA lean. That is why I told the dawg fans he is on TV tonight if you have never seen him play.
JELLO JOCKITCH
September 17th, 2010
8:38 pm
Chester Gunn, I actually have been praying for that since last year. I was disappointed when FSU just did not have enough to pay off UGA.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
8:38 pm
Takes a cut but they don’t sell anything they just license it as Official Merchandise.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 17th, 2010
8:40 pm
The E Smith kid from LeGrange can Kick. Damn I hope Tech offers the kid just to kickoff.