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
srcdawg1
September 28th, 2010
10:20 pm
come on AJ what a stupid statement. when they could not find anything on the miami visit, they came back and found this!!! is there anything else they missed? i disagree with the NCAA having the power to get someone’s bank records. man are they connected with the IRS!!!!!!
NC Dawg
September 28th, 2010
10:24 pm
Prove you’re growing up by playing your senior year.
Steven Souza
September 28th, 2010
10:24 pm
A.J.Green should have been suspened to the entire season. The NCAAS needs to improve that. If the talk to an agent no season for that person.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
10:31 pm
DAN MULLEN Miss St was 1 SEC championship in “41″. Ga. Tech has 5 in 39,43,44,51, and 52. Please don’t talk Miss State sh.t when you cant even sniff a SEC west title.
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
10:32 pm
5150 P.O.A.D Did I say they had a losing record against those teams you idiot! I said they lose to teams they are suppose to beat you dummy if you can read.Sh!t I swear just another yellow jacket but hey I understand you are a loser. Georgia runs that state and will always will. Like I said Georgia Tech beats up on cupcake schools then lose too sorry teams like kansas you dummy
Luke
September 28th, 2010
10:35 pm
I hope that trainwreck is over, get things rolling again….
Wake me up when September ends.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
10:36 pm
SRCDAWG please go to the NCAA site and read what the contract a STUDENT Athlete signs says. Leave the NCAA out of this. If you or the STUDENT Athlete doesn’t like the rules then he/she doesn’t have to sign it, get a free college education, or play college ball. Can AJ read? Can he write his name? Well, he did both I guess and put himself in the situation he now finds himself.
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
10:36 pm
I forgot Iowa whipped Georgia Tech, what a bunch of losers.
crabapplejoe
September 28th, 2010
10:38 pm
All you folks that think “Mr. Me” is coming back to UGA his senior season are seriously delusional….and the fact that he won’t come back is a major plus for the UGA football program.
Ga Dawg 4life
September 28th, 2010
10:38 pm
What is this Tech moron 5150 P.O.A.D doing on the dawgs blog
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
10:38 pm
No DAN you said Tech always loses to Clemson and Boston College. You are wrong. DUDE you don’t know anything about what you speak of.
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
10:45 pm
Georgia Tech First Four Games:South Carolina State W, Kansas L WTF, North Carolina W barely, NC State L. Mississippi State First Four:Top 25 Auburn 20-17 L, Memphis W, Top 25 LSU L, Georgia W. Who plays the better schedule and who plays cupcakes
drew not a dawg
September 28th, 2010
10:48 pm
Impartial bystander, but you gotta love the NCAA. This is a great example and way to encourage these kids to tell the truth. Not a problem for the NCAA to exploit these kids for millions but let the kid try to get money for spring break and have fun from a normally hectic life style and all hell breaks loose. And I’m more of a Tech fan than a Dawg fan but I can spot a rat when I smell one and the NCAA serves the general welfare (and forget the players which is the reason they exist) and is about as hypocritical as a bribe taking politician. The kid made a mistake, was honest about it, overpaid for it. Good to see him come clean, now if only the NCAA would!
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
10:49 pm
IOWA is a bad team? They only lost games last year when their QB was hurt. Iowa was a top 10 team this year until they lost last week. You are a fool. MISS St is a bad Azz. “09″ L to Houston but beat Jax St, Vandy(so did TECH), Mid Tenn, and Kentucky. “08″ L to La Tech(hahahah), beat Southeastern LA, Vandy, Mid Tenn, an Kentucky. “07″ beat Tulane, Gardner-Webb(so did Tech), UAB, and Kenbtucky. “06″ L to Tulane, beat UAB, and Jac St. AHHAHA Bot MISS ST is a powerhouse and they really beat bigtime teams. HAHHAHA you Stupid F I hope you are doing better in your classes than you arte at being an football fan.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
10:51 pm
GA DAWG 4life I think the Blogs are OPEN to anybody in the world to comment on the subject matter.
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
10:52 pm
Paul Johnson is overrated and that offense won’t continue to work against top 10 defenses
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
10:54 pm
But Dan Mullens will be at MISS ST long enough to Beat LSU, BAMA, ARKANSAS, and AUBURN right?
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
10:55 pm
Stick too the subject 5150 P.O.A.D who plays real teams and who plays cupcakes because if you wanna go back as far as 06 because I know GT lost to plenty of school they were supposed to beat with calvin johnson
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
10:57 pm
MISS ST is the CUPCAKE on the other SEC teams schedule. Don’t you understand that. YOU ARE THE CUPCAKE. YES, Miss state plays tough teams because YOU ARE THE CUPCAKE.
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
10:57 pm
Don’t worry we are getting the guys for dan’s system in recruiting right now and it shows, I would rather be 2-2 playing our schedule than playing that cupcake schedule you guys play. If you guys were good, GT should be 4-0 but they were overrated
Andy
September 28th, 2010
10:57 pm
The people on here that are saying that AJ should not enter the draft because he is not “mature” enough or that he owes another season to UGA because of what he did are complete idiots. Of course he is going to enter the draft. If someone is a guaranteed first round pick they will always leave early. Most of these kids are selfish ba$tards just like AJ. They want the money so they will all leave early. AJ’s whole career has been a waste. Good riddance AJ.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
11:00 pm
MISS ST is the Vandy of the SEC west.
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
11:00 pm
Miss State is a CUPCAKE?WTF? We are competitive with the teams we play and check the standings because we are not last in the SEC, that spot belongs to the GEORGIA BULLDOGS
Snoop Dawg
September 28th, 2010
11:01 pm
AJ Green is a gangsta thug. He should never have the privilege of wearing a UGA uniform again.
He sold his jersey because he wanted “bigger diamond earrings.” This is what the UGA program has become under Markt Wrecked. And he’s bringing on LeMay who has already been expelled the rest of the year from his own high school
Is a UGA player is convicted of any crime whatsoever, then kick him off the team and sign him on to the local trash collection company.
AJ Green is what is wrong with America. He is disgusting.
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
11:01 pm
And I guess beating on teams like DUKE and Virginia makes GT so scary, Georgia Tech=CUPCAKE
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
11:02 pm
No you are not in Last place right now this year, but historically you are the BI..h of the SEC west and you should do some research if you don’ believe that.
Pitbull
September 28th, 2010
11:03 pm
NCAA had no right to check his bank account. He should have told them, “Kiss My ASS, I ain’t giving you sh*t!”
Ga Dawg 4life
September 28th, 2010
11:03 pm
You Tech nerds always have to come on big brothers blog, aren’t you guys tired of being spanked every year by your big brother. GO DAWGS
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
11:04 pm
DAN when you look at TECH’s record against Miss St what do you see? Miss St has NEVER BEAT TECH NEVER NEVER.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
11:06 pm
PITBULL you are just another STUPID dawg fan that doesn’t understand a contract. The NCAA has power to check any and all Athletes records because thay signed a contract to be a player covered by the NCAA.
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
11:07 pm
After Duke beats you guys I wonder what you will say next, I can’t wait till wake forest beats you guys also
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
11:09 pm
Pittbull a lot of people sign a contract to go to work and freely sign away their right not to PEE in a cup for drug testing. You are to dumb to actually to have gone to UGA and not understand basic employment contracts.
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
11:09 pm
08 losses to North Carolina WTF, Virginia LOL, VT, and LSU 38-3
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
11:10 pm
DAN OK what will you do when TECH wins those games and Miss St loses to Vandy and Kentucky?
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
11:12 pm
07 Losses get ready this is too funny: Boston College Lmao, Virginia again WTF, Maryland lol, Virginia Tech, almost lost to North Carolina again, Georgia, and hold up FRESNO STATE WTF!!!!!
Some lame name here
September 28th, 2010
11:13 pm
Funny how people call aj selfish when all you care about is what he does for you. Heavan forbid his talents benefit him.
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
11:13 pm
I wonder was Calvin Johnson still in college then
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
11:15 pm
Miss State will beat Kentucky and Vanderbilt, the question is can GT beat those teams if they lost to a team that just beat a lame Southern Miss team
Lesson for all...
September 28th, 2010
11:16 pm
Lesson for all is that you never leave an audit trail…large amounts of cash is to be broken up and stashed around your room, behind a picture, inside a nasty pair of sneakers, taped to the bottom of a drawer, etc. be creative, no way he would have been caught…that being said, the kid made a mistake…no way a schemer gets caught, or he would have covered his tracks better…the kid isn’t too wordly, just naive
Ga Dawg 4life
September 28th, 2010
11:18 pm
Why are all you Techies worried about AJ Green for? I know you guys are tired of him burning your corners but geez. Tech always Sucks and Georgia proves it every year
michael
September 28th, 2010
11:22 pm
still not as good as CALVIN JOHNSON NOR BAY-BAY
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
11:27 pm
GD4LIFE because some of care that a KID gets a shot at a good life and the big money if he really is a GOOD KID. AJ was stupid. ZEaley was Stupid and arrogant.
Ga Dawg 4life
September 28th, 2010
11:27 pm
AJ Green is better than both of those Tech geeks
Ga Dawg 4life
September 28th, 2010
11:29 pm
Look at the all-time series and that proves who is the better team. And it is Georgia not Tech
Ga Dawg 4life
September 28th, 2010
11:29 pm
AJ Green is ten times better than Calvin Johnson
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
11:30 pm
The UGA coaching wouldn’t have don a damn thing to AJ if it was up to them. Ealey was given a joke punishment after the coaches told he can’t drive because he and the staff knew he didn’t have a Driver License. Ealey just laughed in the coaches face and they did nothing. Richt is a JOKE.
Paul in RDU
September 28th, 2010
11:31 pm
Some inductive logic
1) According to “Dan Mullen” – GT only beats Cupcake Schools
2) GT beat Mississippi State the last 2 times they played – in 2008 and 2009
ergo Mississippi State is a Cupcake School
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
11:31 pm
Ga Dawg 4life you mutt fan, even if AJ played against us Georgia still would have lost you loser
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
11:31 pm
GD4Life green isn’t even close to 1/10 as good as Calvin Johnson. Green has played 1.5 years of college ball and done very little considering his time in the NCAA.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
11:33 pm
Paul DAN doesn’t get it. He thinks Miss St playes a hard schedule. he is right because he doesn’t realize Miss St is the CUPCAKE on the other SEC teams schedules.