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
L.A. BULLDAWG
September 29th, 2010
1:15 am
SUPPOSE AJ GREEN SAID NO, WHEN THE NCAA INQUIRED ABOUT HIS BANK RECORDS? WOULD HE HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED? WHERE IS THE PRIVACY ACT FOR A STUDENT ATHLETE? THE NCAA COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING OF RELEVANCE AT THAT PARTY IN MIAMI, SO THEY DUG A LITTLE DEEPER INTO SOMEONES BANK ACCOUNT! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? WHAT RIGHT DO THEY HAVE DOING THAT? IS THAT STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR ALL STUDENT ATHLETES? OR ATHLETES WHO WILL BE HIGH NFL DRAFT PICKS?! I WOULD VENTURE TO GUESS THAT AJ IS NOT THE ONLY ATHLETE IN THIS COUNTRY WHO NEEDS CASH DURING SPRING BREAK. HOWEVER, WHILE MOST COLLEGE KIDS CAN WORK, STUDENT ATHLETES ARE PROHIBITED FROM EXTRA INCOME DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR. LETS HOPE THE NCAA CHANGES THEIR ANTIQUATED RULE AND GIVES THESE KIDS A STIPEND RELATIVE TO THE MILLINEUM EXPENSES. THIS IS NOT THE 1940s OR 1950s.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
1:21 am
The Antiquated roul you speak of for AJ selling his jersey came about a few years ago because UGA players sold thei SEC Championship rings on EBay. AJ got caught in a rule that UGA players created. zHAHAHAH Bite by the DOWG that fed you HU AJ?
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
1:24 am
LABULL like I posted eariler UGA has 570 Student Athletes on UGA rosters. DO you understand TITLE IX? Well, if UGA and other colleges want to pay football players then they have to pay ALL student ATHLETES. TITLE IX is US LAW. If you want to pay players go before Congress and and get rid of TITLE IX and then we can discuss just paying Football and Men’s Basketball players.
VerBalKeNt
September 29th, 2010
1:24 am
All the talk about firing Richt…. who do you think would do a better job than him? I mean this team is fairly young I didn’t expect much from them this season… to be totally honest… LOL
5150 P.O.A.D
September 29th, 2010
1:25 am
RULE sorry I don’t proofread before I hit POST.
59bulldawg
September 29th, 2010
4:51 am
Bottom line for me is an athlete shouldn’t have to forfeit his rights as a citizen in order to accept an athletic scholarship. The NCAA is not an agency of law enforcement and should not have access to student athlete bank records.
red&black
September 29th, 2010
5:29 am
Figures those A’holes from the NCAA would watch a show like TMZ. NERDS!
GET A LIFE! 4 games, what a joke, just like the NCAA
76-DAWG
September 29th, 2010
5:41 am
On my post earlier some thought I was backing up A J. Anyone who though that didn’t read the post very careful. I am on record saying that if it was left up to me I would dismiss A J from the team because it was such a selfish act. A J confirmed it with his statement today when he said ” at least I know the ones that have my back now , the ones that really supported me.”
That statement alone shows that A J is only thinking of himself. A J, I thought you were on the UGA football TEAM not that the UGA’s football team existed for you . Why would anyone need to have your back with the violation that you did? If someone had your back then they would help you cover up the violation or support what you did. How can you make up for missing 4 critical games? You say that it’s time to move on , which I agree , that you have paid for your mistake. In your mind you think that all should be forgiven but what I am trying to say is YOU have paid for your mistake and that’s enough punishment as far as A J Green is concerned if this was only affecting or about A J Green. But my point is the only consideration should be did your action negatively affect your TEAM. This should only be about the TEAM. And because you still don’t know what the team concept is I can not support you because in your mind it’s all about you.
Zack
September 29th, 2010
6:34 am
new posts up:
http://rebuildingthedawgs.blogspot.com/
Florida Dawg
September 29th, 2010
6:45 am
Too late now….AJ should just go to the NFL. If he cared about the program he wouldn’t have sold the jersey.
Just go to the NFL and take Ealy with you… if they are interested in a fumbler.
apologies
September 29th, 2010
6:47 am
i wrote on here a few weeks ago that I thought AJ had lied to the NCAA – which had led to such a severe penalty. it appears I was wrong – and I’d like to apologize to AJ for the accusation.
Florida Dawg
September 29th, 2010
6:59 am
Want to make it clear. I am a long time Bulldog fan but if I’m the coach, AJ Green does not play again for me this year (he’s gone anyway this year).
He does not deserve to line up with the rest of the team (except Ealey).
This season is over and AJ contributed to the demise…certainly not all but some.
DC
September 29th, 2010
7:01 am
In the words of Randy Moss ” Straight Cash Homey.”
Seriously
September 29th, 2010
7:02 am
Honestly, I would sit his butt for the remainer of the season. Make an example out of the kid!!!
Jersey Buyer
September 29th, 2010
7:07 am
Nice investment. Bet that jersey is worth $1.53 now.
Papadawg
September 29th, 2010
7:09 am
What stupidity, you not only sell the jersey but you put it in your bank account and you’re in college
crabapplejoe
September 29th, 2010
7:20 am
@fayncdawg: You need to chill your “infatuation” with black WRs. Green is an average WR with a lot of problems that affect a “team”…..be glad when he is gone.
John in Marietta
September 29th, 2010
7:27 am
When we have a system in which millions (or maybe billions) are involved, and we have the star having to sell a jersey to get spring break money, we have a major problem.
Florida Dawg
September 29th, 2010
7:32 am
Good point John in Marietta….especially when the “coaches” and schools make millions.
Has everyone seen the on campus building that houses President Adams?
Only people who can afford to build anything right now are college’s and hospitals.
UTRick
September 29th, 2010
7:38 am
NCAA should change the rules; As a student football player you can’t have a job, you can’t do this, you can’t do that but the coaches and Schools and Vendors selling AJ’s jersey makes millions. When I played for UT in the early 80’s we got 25 dollars a month and I don’t want to hear about a free education argument. Most of these athletes come from the inner city and rural areas from poor backgrounds and practice 20 to 25 hours per week and workout during the summer. I’m not sold on paying players but something needs to be done. At least at UT you’re given a fifth year to Graduate.
bog dawg
September 29th, 2010
7:48 am
These comments from all the rednecks supporting the Dawgs cement their win and excuse atitude at any costs. Hey the kid broke the @#$% rules. There is probably more to this than has surfaced, but even if there isn’t, he broke the rules. he got exactly what he and he alone earned. That is the reason the Dawgs under achieve year after year, these prima donnas are in the game for themselves and will do what it takes to make it to the 52 virgins. After watching enough football to earn an MD, there can be no doubt these lads are not playing with the ferocity and brains to ever compete with the likes of LSU< Alabam, and Florida. Now they have reached the level of the also rans in the SEC. Get over it you bunch of losers, you are a bunch of losers.
Drewcat
September 29th, 2010
7:56 am
C’mon AJ! Next time keep it STRAIGHT CASH HOMIE! Sounds like the NCAA had it out for Green from the get go. They wanted to find something, and they found something. Oh well! Go to the league in April and forget all about this bump in the road. Selfish UGA football fans who don’t care are angry with Green’s decision. But those who care about the player understand. Show out for the rest of the season and get the hell on. UGA don’t know how to wiin with or without you anyway
Wow
September 29th, 2010
7:57 am
Not sure I would have admitted to that one. What an idiot. I am not saying that I think that it is completely wrong, seeing as how UGA and the NCAA make tons of money of players who aren’t paid a cent. But, dude knew the rules. Every year they sit all athletes down and explain the rules to them, plus give them a handbook.
John in Marietta
September 29th, 2010
8:03 am
OK, this is off the top of my head, so I may be setting myself up to be crucified. What a plan similar to baseball. The NFL draft is held for players who just completed high school. Those who are drafted then work out their deal with the NFL team who drafted them. However, instead of going to a minor league team, they go to a college. They are paid by the NFL team (or maybe a % paid by the college.) Unfortunately, I already see a problem with my plan. The NFL team is probably going to tell the player which college they can attend. Maybe someone else has a better idea or change to mine.
Dawg fan
September 29th, 2010
8:14 am
If you were a young person and someone offered you a thousand dollars for one of your shirts, don’t try to tell me you wouldn’t have done what AJ did. He paid for his mistake and you shouldn’t be on his ass for doing something you would have done.
AJ, go play some football. Perfect people, go and be perfect.
mike
September 29th, 2010
8:18 am
It is good to see so many haters for AJ on here. It never fails that some folks just want something bad for others. The school, the SEC and the NCAA all make lots of money off these athletes. I guess they figure to keep theses players in check is to have all these rules. Even the draft process is really like selling slaves. These guys have made lots of money for the schools and now we will sell them to the NFL team owners. Great system.
LAKE OCONEE DAWG
September 29th, 2010
8:18 am
Tech82:
Most of these guys get Pell money and it can be a sizeable amount…..
MURPHY
September 29th, 2010
8:21 am
Dawg fan
Amen to that statement!
LAKE OCONEE DAWG
September 29th, 2010
8:21 am
crabapplejoe:
Only a true idiot would call this guy average….When the draft comes, he will have enough money to ship crabapplejoe around the world 3 times…Average….What rock you been hiding under????
southside dawg
September 29th, 2010
8:21 am
It defies logic that a “fan” would give a grand for an Independence Bowl anything. I believe UGA doged a big bullet on this deal.
» SEC: What if Florida still had Cameron Newton? John Clay’s Sidelines
September 29th, 2010
8:21 am
[...] Georgia’s A.J. Green explains his jersey sale, reports Tim Tucker of the AJC. [...]
LaToya Mack
September 29th, 2010
8:25 am
Coaches make millions, school makes millions and millions more are earned by the SEC – pay these kids!!!!! If each NCAA player decided not to show up for just one weekend, the rules of engagement would be challenged and restructuring would begin immediately. I could understand if these ‘games’ were just college football games but the reality is these ‘games’ are high revenue generating events and its only in college sports the ‘doers’ are not compensated.
It’s a new form of slavery because if you think the pay is the ‘educational opportunities’ then you are completely out of touch with today’s economic culture. There are PhDs, MBAs, and a slew of college educated people out of work. Yet Mark Richt, who sucks by the way and couldn’t coach himself out of a 4 bucket of water, is paid better than my oncologist. BS I tell you, this is all BS…..
bill_in_atl
September 29th, 2010
8:28 am
I am reporting a rumor now on the internet that everyone on Florida’s team went to a party hosted by agents.
Now…will the NCAA ask to go through all of their bank accounts to see if they can find anything out of the ordinary? Why not?
MURPHY
September 29th, 2010
8:32 am
LaToya Mack,
From a college football players parent. Even though a kid has a full ride the parents still incur a pretty sizable monthly expense.With this said I believe it is not a good idea to pay a kid to play any college sport.These kids have the resources to work campus jobs to make extra money.If you start paying these kids it will get way out of control.Look what the Carolina players did we the monthly money they got from the university as part of their expenses.These kids are getting free living expense,food,health care and an education.I think this is plenty.
Undercover "dawg", North Ave, Atlanta address
September 29th, 2010
8:42 am
I can’t believe the boat Georgia has it self in. Never would have thunk it. The implosion is fun to watch however! Dogs feeding on Dogs.
Henry
September 29th, 2010
8:44 am
Lot of frigging liars on this blog. None of you are better than AJ and all of you would have done what he did if you had the chance. Your imitation “holier than thou” attitude stinks.
He did wrong, got caught, confessed, served his sentence, and now wants to get on with his life.
End of story.
Dazed and Confused
September 29th, 2010
8:47 am
Anyone who believes that Richt will make Ben Jones sit, just hasn’t been paying attention the last 10 years. Regarding AJ, he can tell the newspapers anything he wants while the NCAA remains silent. The fact is, the agent/dope dealer gave AJ some money, and AJ deposited $1,000. AJ is as talented as he is self-centered and entitled–a typical “Richt-quality recruit.” We can add “stupid” too.
John Galt
September 29th, 2010
8:49 am
Dumb move by AJ but what gives the NCAA the right to review his checking account statements?
MURPHY
September 29th, 2010
9:00 am
John Galt,
Go back and read on pages 3-4 of this blog. When AJ signed as a freshman to play he signed a contract of demands and rules from the NCAA.Every incomming freshman signs this NCAA packet
Blundermutt
September 29th, 2010
9:10 am
I always assumed AJ sold the jersey to help buy books for class. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Seriously, extra cash for spring break makes perfect sense.
Classroom instruction on the NCCC rules and regs
September 29th, 2010
9:12 am
These kiids know very early in high school what the rules and regs are in college football recruiting. When they arrive on campus …………they receive some classroom work on the ins and the outs and the dos and the donts of being a college football player.
They are young and dumb and that money spoke to AJ. Now? Just release him. The season is over with or without him. He did not cause all of this UGA misery but he did have an emotional impact on the squad.
Ealey and AJ need to be released and sent packing. UGA was # 4 in the land after defeating Texas in the Cotton Bowl ………… oh yeah, Texas was number 1 by kick off and HW had left the year before. That UGA team was made up of men ………..not thugs. They were tough and had confidence in themselves …………not in their NFL dreams.
UGA class of 71 & 73
PEINFULLEFFECT
September 29th, 2010
9:27 am
Hey DDPO, give the guy a break. He admitted that he was wrong. Think about it…………………HE’S JUST A KID! So if you’re so sore about it, boot ‘em off the team. I know ALOT of universities that would LOVE A.J. Green’s deep threat ability that he would bring to the game. Comments like yours need to be kept quiet and do like your other Dawg fans, get ‘em out there and hope that he can salvage the Bulldogs season ’cause they SUCK without him.
JAXDAWG
September 29th, 2010
9:36 am
5150 P.O.A.D – Serious question here. How old are you and how do you have the time to be on a UGA blog almost 12 hours a day? I may be wrong about the exact hours that you are on here. I usually log in when I get to the office in the morning then again around lunch and sometimes before I go to bed at night to catch up on any new UGA stories and you are ALWAYS on here running your mouth about how bad UGA is. As a UGA fan I don’t need you to tell me how bad this team is I have seen it for myself. You say you are a huge Tech fan. How do you possibly have enough time in your day to be on all the UGA blogs as well as Tech blogs(I assume you go on the Tech blogs since you are a fan of that team but I have never been on a Tech blog to verify this). Also what is your goal for being on here? If you are on here to make sure that we all know that this UGA team is not very good then you have succeeded and you can move on with your life. If your goal is to make all us UGA fans wonder how somebody could possibly have time to be on a UGA blog all day long spewing hatred when you could be out doing something more productive with your life then once again you have succeeded. Just think of what you could accomplish in this world if you were just on here maybe 6 hours a day instead of 12. Well I have to get back to work, I hope you have a wonderful day posting away on this blog. I will check back with you later tonight. I know you will be here.
MB
September 29th, 2010
9:47 am
The rule Aj broke was put in place because UGA players were selling their SEC rings. Maybe that was one of the reasons his punishment was so severe.
jon gruden
September 29th, 2010
9:56 am
jon gruden!!jon gruden!!
Wayne
September 29th, 2010
9:57 am
There’s a Taxpayer Advocacy team at the IRS. Who supports or stands up for players? No one. As we are seeing this year, the NCAA will take as long as it wants to clear players. Eligibility is never given back. When it’s gone — it’s gone.
SameOle SameOle
September 29th, 2010
9:59 am
If AJ feels that bad and want’s to prove himself that he’s still the man, he’d stay for his senior year. That ain’t gonna happen though. He’s not the only reason we are 1-3 but he does attract double coverage which opens up the entire offense. He won’t be a top 10 pick in the draft which will cost him severely. It’s a mute point though. Bottom line is that AJ wasn’t the one not blocking, not tackling and not running the ball. At least Durham and Tavarres King stepped it up but where is Orson Charles and Marlon Brown been? When Carlton Thomas is your #2 back…enough said.
gcs
September 29th, 2010
10:26 am
What right does the NCAA have to demand bank statements?
I cannot believe the @#$% the NCAA is able to get away with.
.
buzz
September 29th, 2010
10:54 am
You broke a NCAA rule, pure and simple.
Dawg Fud
September 29th, 2010
10:55 am
AJ,
everybody makes mistakes. you paid your penalty. if this is the worst thing you ever do then you’re doing a damn good job.