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
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
11:33 pm
Paul in RDU I have a question? Why does Tech lose to teams they are suppose to beat???? Overrated Maybe???
Ga Dawg 4life
September 28th, 2010
11:35 pm
Look at the stats because calvin johnson sucks and it shows, just another draft bust like charles rogers. AJ Green is the Truth and you will see him again later this year you Tech losers
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
11:38 pm
Wonder why the SEC is the top conference in america and the ACC is so far down near the toilet?? Because of overrated teams like Tech
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
11:41 pm
Calvin is a BUST? He plays for the LIONS and they suck. You do know the Lions QB is the GREAT UGA god Fatt MATT STAFFORD right? Put Calvin on almost any other team and Calvin would be getting more touches per Game and more YAC. Green may go High in the Draft, but end-up on a bad team too for his first 5 years. When Calvin gets a cahnce to get to a better team you will see how good he really is.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
11:43 pm
GD4life how will Green get the ball if Murry is running for his life or laying on his back?
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
11:44 pm
The UGA o-line stops penatration as well as a Drunk Freshman Tri Delta Pledge on a Friday or Saturday night.
Ga Dawg 4life
September 28th, 2010
11:45 pm
If Calvin Johnson is such a great player he could make an impact on any team if you know real football you techie, for example look at andre johnson before schaub got there and also steve smith has never played with a top QB so that doesn’t matter
dan mullen - bull dyke
September 28th, 2010
11:45 pm
hi dan – I see that you too are a bull dyke just like the uga bull dykes…
Yes – you are mighty miss state. Check out the last two times your school played Tech and look at the score.
Now go put on your red panties and wait for damon to cum all over you.
Ga Dawg 4life
September 28th, 2010
11:48 pm
If Calvin is so Great he could have won the heisman regardless of who is throwing the football, but another draft bust.
Ga Dawg 4life
September 28th, 2010
11:50 pm
Matt Stafford shoulder pop out throwing a game winning touchdown, what has calvin johnson did besides come down and not retain the football which we all know that wasn’t a catch
Speaking of draft busts....
September 28th, 2010
11:52 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Greene_(American_football)
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
11:52 pm
What are all the GREAT UGA QBs that Richt coached doing now in the NFL. If they were so great and hold so many SEC records why are they not TEARING UP the NFL?
Go Dawgs
September 28th, 2010
11:52 pm
Once again another blog infested with Techies
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
11:55 pm
That was not a CATCH you are stoned. If that was a UGA receiver you would be crying about it. Calvin grabed it with one hand and held on to it then put his hand on the ground and left the ball because it was a TD. Please pick another play to say Calvin can’t play. What is the Bad Azz POLLACK doing in the NFL this week? Is he ready to MAN-UP and sack some teams QB?
Ga Dawg 4life
September 28th, 2010
11:55 pm
Name a GT quarterback, hell name a player that is tearing up the league because I haven’t seen a Techie do anything beside not catch the football in the endzone
Speaking of draft busts....
September 28th, 2010
11:56 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincy_Carter
Ga Dawg 4life
September 28th, 2010
11:59 pm
Hell where is Reggie ball at? If you wanna go back as far as pollack where are all those great defensive players at tech that they was suppose to have linebacker k’michael hall was suppose to be a great one and I haven’t heard from the great d-lineman from the draft
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
12:00 am
The best UGA player to play in the NFL is Hines WARD not H Walker. Tech has a number of O-line and D Players that have SB rings and play big roles on their teams, but don’t get headlines. I can live with that.
Ga Dawg 4life
September 29th, 2010
12:00 am
Every Tech player is a bust, at least our players get to play and pollack got to play also
Dan Mullen
September 29th, 2010
12:01 am
How about this both of you guys teams suck!!! Problem Solved
sb
September 29th, 2010
12:02 am
Like I tell my kids. Its not a mistake if you do something you KNOW your not suppose to do. It’s just doing something your not suppose to do!!!!
A mistake would be doing somthing that is wrong that you did NOT know was wrong!!!
Ga Dawg 4life
September 29th, 2010
12:07 am
Name Tech’s greatest player of all-time because I never hear that, but walker is the greatest bulldog without a doubt. And like I said there are no Tech stars in the NFL but we have H ward, Champ Bailey, Matt Stafford, Thomas Davis, Charles Grant SB champ, Leonard Pope, Richard Seymor where are tech stars
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
12:08 am
3 Tech players played in the last Superbowl 2 got rings and 1 didn’t. More Tech Players have Superbowl rings. to find the Tech players in the pros go to this link. http://www.ramblinwreck.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/pros.html
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
12:10 am
Walker was / is not the best UGA player to ever play in the NFL. DO some more research. Hines Ward is the Best ever Bulldog to EVER play in the NFL bay a HUGE margin.
Ga Dawg 4life
September 29th, 2010
12:14 am
That was not a CATCH you are stoned. My point exactly, that wasn’t a catch
Inaccurate Facts
September 29th, 2010
12:17 am
5150 P.O.A.D I would like to see your sources because you are posting bogus material on this blog and also if you are going to make a point, how about using correct facts
Ga Dawg 4life
September 29th, 2010
12:18 am
I didn’t say Walker was the greatest bulldog to play in the NFL, I said he was the greatest bulldog in college
Inaccurate Facts
September 29th, 2010
12:19 am
Wow these sources you are using are bogus
Inaccurate Facts
September 29th, 2010
12:21 am
Even the link you just posted in bogus
AFDawg
September 29th, 2010
12:26 am
So, does this mean everytime the NCAA hears a rumor about a player they’re going to investigate their financial records? What a sleazy bunch of ^%#&()*.
By the way — I heard a rumor the entire Florida football team had a slumber party at Hawkins’ house.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
12:33 am
GD4life that is only the active roster player for this year. D. Levens has a SB ring too.
To say the best Tech palyer in the NFL would be hard I admit, but I think it would have to go to Ken Whisenhunt the Cardinals coach. he was a TE at Tech then had to play QB to force Notre Dame to tie Tech. Ken is a 5 time letterman for Tech and a civil engineering degree holder.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
12:35 am
Innaccurate Facts try again. WHTA fact is wrong? Don’t say THEY are wrong fact without stating which facts.
AFDawg
September 29th, 2010
12:36 am
Why are people on here arguing about Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson? They’re both great players and have turned into a deadly combo. This is the pros — leave it alone ya’ll. Herschel Walker had great numbers in the NFL despite playing his best years in the USFL. He held numerous all purpose yard records in the NFL and I think he might still own a few of them. If the NFL wasn’t so prejudical against other pro leagues (they won’t count Herschel’s USFL stats) he would be a lock on Canton. That’s the problem with Canton — it isn’t truly the Pro Football Hall of Fame — it’s the NFL Hall of Fame.
Hunker Down
September 29th, 2010
12:37 am
Character is something that is yours and yours only. Many people give it away cheaply. I have personnaly witnessed men of great wealth lie and cheat for a couple of measley dollars. They have no pride in themselves so how can others view them any differently?
Aj Green made a mistake. He recognizes that partially because he got caught. But it will be interesting to see how much he truly cares about anyone but himself. After this season most likely Green will go pro and make millions. However, will he ever love the person he is? He let down thousands of fans, 84 teammates his school and classmates, CMR and the rest of the coaching staff and even his own family. He can not change the past but he can control the future. Aj the money is going to be yours for signing in the NFL and it is alot more than $1k for selling the jersey. The question I have is what is more important the money or your character? Can the money wait for one more year?
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
12:38 am
IA FACTS: Hit the Link and chose the offered link and you will get to the TECH site and hit the Alumni in the Pros tag.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
12:40 am
AFDAWG so TRUE so true, but I still say the greatest dawg in the NFL is Hinds Ward.
Dave Cutler
September 29th, 2010
12:40 am
Wow…just read all these comments. What a joke of a program UGA has become. And you are some of the worst fans in the world…I have never seen more two faced turn coats in my life. UGA is a classless fan base.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
12:43 am
http://www.ramblinwreck.com will get you there I just tried to add the bs stright link to the page without having you go to the other pages sorry, but I hope you use a computer enough to start at the TEAM site and fin the INFO.
Inaccurate Facts
September 29th, 2010
12:47 am
5150 P.O.A.D The points you are making are wrong and you don’t have the facts to back any post you have put up here regarding the NCAA
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
12:48 am
GD4Life that 3-3 tie that Ken Whisenhunt forced Noter Dame to was in 1980! Do you remember 1980? If a 1-7 TECH(at the time) doesn’t force ND to the TIE UGA might never have had a shot at the sugar bowl and a national championship.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
12:49 am
WHAT facts Inaccurate Facts. Name them please! Which facts which ones name them.
Dan Mullen
September 29th, 2010
12:50 am
If the georgia fans wanna root for a winning team come on the Mississippi State bandwagon
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
12:51 am
I can call you an A..Hole but without giving proof it is a statement. What facts do I have wrong? Present your CASE sir.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
12:53 am
DAN you paly Alcorn St and Houston the next 2 weeks. Why don’t you come back after Oct. 16th when you play the GATORS.
Inaccurate Facts
September 29th, 2010
12:54 am
For one the post which you said the NCAA has a right to see a player’s bank statements are wrong and also schools that have great football teams and basketball teams make enough revenue to pay players. The NCAA can’t invade someone’s private life
Dan Mullen
September 29th, 2010
12:57 am
We will be 4-2 when we face the gators they will be on upset alert so I hope they beat alabama
Ga Dawg 4life
September 29th, 2010
12:58 am
Yea you made a good point about 1980 national championship
Inaccurate Facts
September 29th, 2010
1:01 am
5150 P.O.A.D Where are your facts?? I don’t see anything because your points are bogus
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
1:06 am
Yes the NCAA has that right in the contract student athletes sign to be cleared to play in the NCAA in a sport. If the NCAA wishes to do an investigation they have the right(like the IRS) to see your income. You are wrong. Pl;aese go the the NCAA site and see the qualifactions to be cleared by the clearing house. Please then look at the CONTRACT players sign to play for colleges. You sir are wrong check again. Guess what a cop asks to search your car after a stop you can say no then that is cause to get a search warrent and still search your car. The NCAA has that power. the NCAA also has the right to take URINE to see if a player is using illegl drugs. Please read more and UNDERSTAND the NCAA’s power.
I never said colleges with Great Football and Basketball teams make enough money to pay players. I said that Football and Mens Basketball are the money makers and those sports revenues cannot produce enough revenue to pay all the players any money. You need to reread my posts. UGA has 570 athletes on team rosters and the money UGAA makes can never pay all the Athletes because TITLE IX makes it EQUAL for both MEN and Women’s sports. Please RE-READ and learn something.
fayncdawg
September 29th, 2010
1:14 am
@crabapple
Cooper and Durham are good but still: CHILL THE INFATUATION WITH CAUCASION WRs!! Neither the Hogs or the Dogs have a D anywhere close to the Gator’s quality! The Hogs did not exactly improve to 12th (THAT’S LAST PLACE) in the SEC last season to Gator quality this season! Neither team can stop a superstar and while AJ may be an idiot he is a superstar!! I love Durham, but if he was a superstar we would be 3-1!