A.J. Green: I sold jersey for ‘extra cash’ during spring break
ATHENS — Having served his four-game NCAA suspension for selling a jersey for $1,000, Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green on Tuesday told why he did it and how he got caught.
Green said he sold his Independence Bowl jersey to have “extra cash” during spring break and that the NCAA found out about it after asking him to turn over his bank records. He said he complied with the request.
“They had every bank statement going back to February ‘09,” Green said. “They looked and saw that [$1,000 deposit] and they were, like, ‘Hey, where did you get the money from?’ I told them. I’m not going to lie to them . . . and jeopardize my whole season.”
Green, eligible to play for the first time this season Saturday at Colorado, spoke to reporters in a UGA conference room Tuesday afternoon — his first interview since being suspended by the NCAA.
The star receiver did not deny knowing that selling the jersey was against NCAA rules, saying he “didn’t really think it through” and “everybody makes mistakes in life.”
“I broke the rule,” Green said, “and I paid my price. And I’m just ready to play again.”
He said he has never met the jersey buyer, Chris Hawkins, a former North Carolina football player, whom the NCAA considers an agent. Green said he and Hawkins communicated only through Facebook.
It also would be against NCAA rules to sell a jersey to a non-agent, but the NCAA’s designation of Hawkins as an agent might have added to the severity of Green’s penalty. Hawkins has denied that he is an agent and said that he bought the jersey as a collector.
Green said he was told the investigation started when the NCAA heard a rumor that he might have attended a Miami party sponsored by an agent (not Hawkins).
“I didn’t know anything about it,” Green said of the party. “When the NCAA told me about it, they said they heard it from [website] TMZ. [The NCAA] just heard it was a rumor, so they came down here and asked me.”
Green said he told the NCAA investigators, as he previously had told reporters and UGA officials, that he did not attend the Miami party. In the course of the investigation, he said, the NCAA asked for his bank statements, which led to the discovery of a rule violation — the jersey sale — separate from the Miami party.
“I guess when they couldn’t find [anything] on that trip, they went back and found this,” Green said.
He said the NCAA first asked him to explain the money about a week before Georgia’s Sept. 4 opener.
The NCAA declined to respond to Green’s comments Tuesday, and UGA has refused to turn over documents related to the case.
Green said the investigation was “a painful process, man. I’m not the type of guy who ever got into trouble here and stuff like that. Sometimes I couldn’t sleep just thinking about [it]. … I’m just glad that it’s over.”
Of the four-game suspension, he said: “I did something wrong. I deserve it, a penalty for what I’d done.”
Green said he had been approached about selling items before, “but I didn’t do it. But, like I said, it was spring break. So, you know, extra cash. I really didn’t think about it [being] a big deal, so I just did it.”
Georgia has lost three of four games without Green, who said the games have been “painful” for him to watch.
“I feel like . . . I caused a lot of people pain,” he said. “Because I feel like if I was out there some of the time we would have had a chance. . . . I beat myself up pretty much over that.
“But it taught me a valuable lesson. I’m growing up, and I’ve got to do the right thing.”
Georgia coach Mark Richt hopes the lesson spreads to Green’s teammates.
“I would think everybody saw what happened to A.J. and hopefully if they were in that position would not give in to whoever is trying to convince you that this is a good thing to do or that it’s OK to do,” Richt said.
Meanwhile, Green looks forward to his belated season opener Saturday.
“Now it’s about that time to show people what I was missing,” Green said. “I feel like I still got stuff to prove, that I’m behind and that I’m going to have a lot of catching up to do.”
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689 comments Add your comment
Hit A Single
September 28th, 2010
8:06 pm
Hey Montel – These kids are getting a good education it they want it. They should feel honored and fortunate to get the opportunity to play. There are alot of kids that would give anything for the opportunity. Oh by the way have you seen what these college kids eat, wear and drive. They are doing fine. They better count their blessings. Oh by the way just stick to your show!
Wally Butts' Designated Stumbler
September 28th, 2010
8:16 pm
STILL waiting to hear that CMR is benching Ben Jones for a game or two.
If he doesn’t, he’s a damned hypocrite.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
8:16 pm
MONTEL what do you think about the HBC then? They are run by African Americans that do the samething to their Black athletes. An AA player can go to a HBC and be treated the same way.
OK to all you that say pay the players. Here are the numbers from UGAs teams.
Baseball 42, M Bball 12, W/M Cross Country 54, Football 124, M Golf 11, M/W Swimming 51, M Tennis 11, M/W Track 98, W Bball 12, Equestrian 67, W Golf 8, Gymnastics 13, W Soccer 31, Softball 22, W Tennis 10, and Volleyball 13. That is 570 Student Athletes. If “PAY UP” has their way that is $570,000 min. a month to $1,140,000 a month or $13,680,000/yr. HAHAHAHAHAHHA RIGHT UGA can afford that. As someone posted UGAA is like #2 in money rasing and there is no way in HELL UGA can pay PLAYERS. TITLE IX leveled the field. Pay ONE you pay them ALL. Hell if you just paid them $2,000/ semester that is $3,420,000/ year.
Ex Athlete
September 28th, 2010
8:20 pm
Like I said before….NCAA doesnt’t like stuff like this and players sign off on the rules each year before they can play any sport….it’s been that way for years…..so what’s all the damn fuss about….
AthensDawg
September 28th, 2010
8:23 pm
Any of you gettin on AJ for selling his personal property are idiots! You know you probably have done the same thing if you could for $1000. Its not his fault our defense doesnt tackle, our o-line cant push forward or open any holes, or bad play calling. He hasn’t been on the field so you can blame him at all for how we have played. The dude has never been in trouble until now and the NCAA got him on a stupid technicality. By the way, does the NCAA have the power to demand your banking records? Bottom line is we just aren’t very disciplined and currently are not a good football team. We have enough talent to win every game we play but for whatever reason our talent isn’t reaching its full potential. Our coaching definitely has alot of issues starting with Bobo and Searels. I just think its funny that everybody is on AJs jock when hes catching passes and scoring TDs but he makes 1 mistake in 3 years and everyone wants to hang him out to dry because the season isn’t going well. Yall are a joke!
mat
September 28th, 2010
8:24 pm
ESPN shows high school games. What’s next JV. Paying players cash might not work but there has to be a way to compensate them better.
David Johnson
September 28th, 2010
8:26 pm
Whether he played or not is not much of a factor. Murray would never have time to throw the ball to him.They should give Gatorade bottles to the O-line so they could offer the opposing linemen a drink before they go in to crush our quarterback. It seems to be the only way to buy Murray more time.
gomdawg
September 28th, 2010
8:27 pm
Everybody has done things they are not proud off , so it’s over , GET OVER IT , AJ WE ARE BEHIND YOU 100 % DON’T READ THESE FOOLS . REMEMBER THIS IS THE 1 ST DAY OF THE REST OF OUR SEASON. GO DAWGS.
Jimmy
September 28th, 2010
8:31 pm
It bothers me that the NCAA went on a fishing expedition.
AJ broke a rule.
But how did the NCAA know that?
Sounds like they were looking for some agent payoff and found the $1000 deposit.
According to AJ, they asked him about it.
It is time for something to be done about the NCAA.
They should only be digging with CREDIBLE evidence of wrong doing.
NCAA needs to be reigned in.
Casual Observer
September 28th, 2010
8:43 pm
Whats dumber than the penalty, the sale of the jersey, the losses and the whole situation??
The fact that its open for comment with NO moderation or accountability… No wonder the AJC is the most laughed at news source in the world.
chickenman
September 28th, 2010
8:48 pm
I dont blame him.. the ncaa is abunch of voulchers.. these kids cannot make anything without getting bashed.. Dont worry aj the losses are from DODO not you bro.. But feel free to get 200yds Sat
Die-Hard UGA Fan
September 28th, 2010
8:53 pm
Bullschitt!
80Dawg
September 28th, 2010
8:56 pm
Uh, PDAWG, for a kid like AJ, and i was one of those kids. Our parents don’t have the money to send us after parents paid his way! Bad Judgment! Yes. Criminal no. It is not a crime to be a kid who wants more than can be given. Drop the criticism if you aint been there.
RAMBLE ON!!!
September 28th, 2010
8:58 pm
Really, Really?
Where is this thing call the internet you speak of?
Me likes to go and purchase one.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
9:05 pm
Hell, we all speed and cry to get the officer to not write the ticket, but we know we were breaking the law. AJ did the same thing. He got caught and he paid for the NCAA sin. Now, AJ play the game. If Murry can stay upright long enough to get you the ball for some TDs, then maybe not having you really does make a difference. The O-line is not giving Murry enough time so I don’t think AJ was the reason the dawgs lost, but I guess we will see.
It is all BARBRA’s fault. She is wearing Vol Orange and has cursed Athens. It is also the Athens and Clarke County Cops fault. I think it is RUSS’ fault too. Russ isn’t trying hard enough to get UGA wins because he knows it is a temporary job.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
9:08 pm
Come on Braves it is the 7th. Brooks deep hit triple and Ties the game. 1 out and Brooks on 3rd.
crabapplejoe
September 28th, 2010
9:11 pm
I wish CMR had just kicked this “me,me” kid off the team. He’s the most over-hyped WR in NCAA history and cost UGA the LSU game last year with his “look at me” celebration penalty. Kris Durham has been playing about as good as Green played last year….Green is just a cancer to the “team”.
Steve
September 28th, 2010
9:12 pm
The sad part is that if he had taken the approach most others do and said ‘I didn’t know it was wrong’ … then he would have gotten a one or two game suspension.
Greene told the truth and got slapped with a bigger probation. What a great lesson we are teaching kids … LIE … LIE … and LIE SOME MORE. Even when thereis proof that you are lying .. DENY IT!
The NCAA is a sad and pathetic organization that I certainly don’t want teaching any sort of values to my kids.
NVdawg
September 28th, 2010
9:20 pm
Wow, so now the NCAA is getting their investigation info from TMZ. Just wow. The NCAA really is pathetic at this point. Took them 5 years to investigate USC and now a bunch of players that didn’t have anything to do with Reggie Bush or his crap have to suffer. It’s ok for Masoli to beat a cop and do drugs but hey…he can still play. Nice loophole there NCAA idiots. Let’s also not forget they probably still have a bone to pick with UGA after suing them back in the 80’s over TV rights and winning.
As far as AJ goes, the really sad part is not only did he kind of screw us for 3 games that really mattered but I’m sure he’ll be bolting for the NFL after this season. Double screwing the Dawgs this year. I say sit him the rest of the season since the rest of the season is pretty meaningless now anyway.
Wonder Why
September 28th, 2010
9:22 pm
I say kick all the money hungry athletes out and keep the integrity of the game intact because they are messing up football and it started with the reggie bush case. 5150 P.O.A.D your facts are wrong and they need to be checked
fayncdawg
September 28th, 2010
9:27 pm
FORGIVEN!! Hopefully now we can go out and win at least seven more gamesw this season! Come the off season hire some decent offensive coaches and hope everyone with eligibility comes back (AJ included; HE NEEDS TO COME BACK). Then next season go for 10+ wins and get the Dawgs back to conference respectability. Hope and pray for this. Nice for AJ to come clean!
Kapoonka
September 28th, 2010
9:29 pm
The fact that the NCAA can scrutinize a student’s checking account is B.S.!!! I’m sure that some students on the teams have families with means. What right do they have to know the origins of funds in a kid’s account? Let’s see the schools books!!! Everyone gets rich but the kids. A UGA education is nice, but the athletes are accountable for a return of at least 100 times whatever the scholarship is. Let some one at UGA do the math. Modern day slavery is what this is. The schools are straight pimping these jocks.
fan
September 28th, 2010
9:30 pm
NCAA POCKET ALREADY FAT OFF THESE KIDS ANY WAY PAY THEM SOMETHING
Vote For Pedro
September 28th, 2010
9:30 pm
Dang ole AJ ought to transfer to a team that can go somewhere with his talents
hind tit
September 28th, 2010
9:31 pm
a j should have beat up a cop put a little fear in the ncaa then sit out the first half of first game.
Andy
September 28th, 2010
9:32 pm
It doesn’t matter. The season is over. AJ is an idiot. He will be a millionaire in less than a year and he blew the whole UGA season for a lousy $1000. Go count your millions AJ. Dope.
gtforever
September 28th, 2010
9:34 pm
What a JOKE the NCAA has come to be……. AJ should have told them to pound sand…..
Jonathan
September 28th, 2010
9:35 pm
Make him a Heisman Candidate so we can buy that too…..if he could actually win it!!
NCAA has no real job
September 28th, 2010
9:37 pm
How much did the NCAA pay to fly down to Athens to interview AJ? We’re talking roundtrip airfare, meals for the investigator(s), rental car, etc. Then on top of that they take 4 games away from AJ when Alabama’s offender get’s two games for his trip to miami? Give me a break – the NCAA is purpose-less.
fayncdawg
September 28th, 2010
9:38 pm
AJ should realize that he basically screwed up the Dawgs season and that he should not even consider the NFL after this season. Maturity issues have probably brought his stock down anyway. While I do not care to dwell on excuses for the Dawgs lousy start, LET’S FACE IT: THE DAWGS WOULD BE 3-1 RIGHT NOW IF AJ PLAYED! So again I pray that he realizes that he did his team and especially his coach a terrible disservice and that he realizes coming back for his senior season (in addition to leading us to 7 more wins this season) is the only way he can make this right! (BTW the Dawgs would have defeated the Hogs and the Dogs if AJ played).
Man This Is Enough
September 28th, 2010
9:43 pm
AJ, these games have been painful for all of us to watch.
fayncdawg
September 28th, 2010
9:45 pm
If the NCAA had nick-picked Maurice Clarett and OSU as much as they did AJ, they would have stripped OSU of their BCS title! And if the NCAA had really done their job that season, the Dawgs would have played for and won the the BCS title!
crabapplejoe
September 28th, 2010
9:45 pm
@fayncdawg who wrote: “(BTW the Dawgs would have defeated the Hogs and the Dogs if AJ played).”
Now that’s funny….I don’t care who you are….does he walk on water as well?….geez. Do you realize he has never scored a TD on Florida. Florida’s receiver, Riley Cooper, scored two against Georgia in the first quarter last year. The hype for this “A.J.” kid is unbelievable…LMAO
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
9:48 pm
DAN MULLEN if you are still reading this Tech is 4-0 against Miss State life time.
Dennis G. Berdanis
September 28th, 2010
9:49 pm
He’ll probably get hurt trying to hard to make up for it. Lost season.
cadawg
September 28th, 2010
9:50 pm
enough sanctimony, guys. AJ did something wrong, and it hurt himself and his team. it’s done, and i hope everyone can let it go. he deserves to be welcomed back by the bulldog nation now that he’s done his time: he’s already been punished enough, if not too much, for what he did. we don’t need to pile on with a bunch of “how dare he’s” and lazy, armchair sermonizing about his selfishness. people saying he should be kicked off the team pretty clearly don’t know what it means to be a part of one. just calm down and let the kid do his job.
RomeDawg
September 28th, 2010
9:50 pm
The Bulldawg Nation is willing to overlook this if AJ returns for his senior season!!!
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
9:50 pm
WONDER WHY what facts are wrong? don’t say my facts are wrong and not say what fast you are refreing to.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
9:52 pm
what FACT sorry.
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
9:53 pm
Georgia Tech beats CUPCAKES Schools but always lose to clemson and boston college and probably lose to the worst georgia mutt team in the history of that school
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
9:56 pm
Georgia Tech Schedule: South Carolina State WOW! Lost to a bad Kansas Team, and almost lost too a North Carolina team who was starting their back-ups, AND LOST TO AN OVERRATED NC STATE TEAM
jojatek
September 28th, 2010
9:56 pm
A little “Vick”-like, if you ask me: Knowingly break the rules (later on, that will become breaking the law…. you can take that to the bank), then dismiss it with “everybody makes mistakes in life” (except, of course, that he acknowledges that it was not, in fact, a “mistake”), serve your suspension, and all is forgiven. I will say this for Vick however: He is the first athlete in a long, long time who truly seems to have learned from his “mistake” (and incarceration). We’ll see how Vick handles his recently re-discovered celebrity status and success, but the early returns suggest that he is far more mature and arguably a more balanced (and therefore more dangerous) offensive threat than he ever was in Atlanta. Let’s hope that A.J. Green doesn’t require incarceration to learn that lesson (although incarceration seems to be the story this year in Athens…).
MS Bully
September 28th, 2010
10:03 pm
This is the first break MS. State has received from the NCAA in many years. I was surprised the NCAA didn’t knock it down to a 3 game suspension when they saw MSU was the 4th game. Go tear the rest of the SEC up AJ and help your young QB.
MS Bully
September 28th, 2010
10:05 pm
Tech can continue in the soft ACC. UGA is having a down year and they will still beat GT.
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
10:06 pm
Hey MS Bully get off the blog you mutt fan
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
10:07 pm
24-12 is the final score you mutt loser
srcdawg1
September 28th, 2010
10:11 pm
mh haven’t you heard. there will be no NFL next year!!!! so why hire an agant?
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
10:11 pm
DAN TECH has a Winning record lifetime against CLEMSON 49-22-2 and Tech against Boston College lifetime is 5-2. DUDE please STFU. You are STUPID and you don’t know anything. Please don’t tell me you are actually a Miss Stat Student. WTF are you studing? You are getting a BBA in STUPID?
ARMC Dawg
September 28th, 2010
10:12 pm
I can tell you something that would put our program back on track with off the field discipline issues – remove A.J. Green from the team for the year. Cutting him this kind of slack for breaking a rule(s), one of which was the direct result of bone-headed moves by previous CMC coached players to sell bowl rings, is far more selfish, premeditated and much more destructive than any single DUI or driving on a suspended license.
Quit treating and reacting to the bad behavior these guys display like it’s no big deal and the behaviors will change.
Notso Fast
September 28th, 2010
10:14 pm
Dump enough to be true. I liked what he said. Let’s play football and win the rest of the games.