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
Zumadawg
September 28th, 2010
4:09 pm
You people are just beating a dead horse here. In the wors of Jim Donnan: “FIDO”. Forget It and Drive On.
Harry the Hat
September 28th, 2010
4:10 pm
This Saturday Ralph will have Russ for lunch.
German Shepherd Dawg
September 28th, 2010
4:11 pm
Milledgeville Dawg,
You got yours in just in time. You’re officially on my radar now.
Tiger88, I agree. You may live.
Duckafawg
September 28th, 2010
4:11 pm
this from a Tech fan….I like AJ and I respect him for standing up and taking the blame…..let’s move on
George
September 28th, 2010
4:12 pm
If Colorado puts 3 men on Green because they don’t know better, the other 8 will be enough for Uga’s “offense.”
Ahmed
September 28th, 2010
4:12 pm
Idiot. Moron.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
4:12 pm
If Barbra Dooley was still the team mother the boys wouldn’t be getting arrested and doing other stupid stuff.
Skitty Fritty
September 28th, 2010
4:12 pm
Ahmed, I think it is time for prayer
debowilli
September 28th, 2010
4:12 pm
What an idiot, take cash and you don’t get caught
jimmy
September 28th, 2010
4:14 pm
I have lost what little respect I still had for A.J. Green. The press was reportinng that A.J. Green’s father had lost his job and we were to beleive that he sold his jersey to help his family. Now we learn that he needed “extra money for Spring Break”. What a loser. Nuff said.
German Shepherd Dawg
September 28th, 2010
4:14 pm
ZumaDawg,
Quoting Donnan? How ironic.
Harry the Hat: you make me laugh. We are not Hawaii. We are probably closer to California talent-wise but haven’t shown it yet.
MilledgevilleDawg
September 28th, 2010
4:14 pm
One other thing hotshot………Those earing look totally stupid! Bling this and bling that………..more of your choices!! We won without you last year when you were “injured”! We will be just fine in the future. #12 made some first class plays Saturday night and CMR will ge things together as soon as “little innocent mistake kids like you” elevate yourself to that League that knows nothing of teamwork. I was Dawg fan long before your were born A.J. and don’t kid yourself for one second. You are a far distant memory from Lindsey’s accomplishments. Fewer in number but worthy of a team that played like a team.
German Shepherd Dawg
September 28th, 2010
4:14 pm
Jimmy,
I’ll be kind since you probably started typing while my warning posted. Spell check! You’ll be easy meat.
Ahmed
September 28th, 2010
4:15 pm
Skitty Fritty, meet me at 7-11 on Moreland if you have thing to say. tough guy
GTFan
September 28th, 2010
4:15 pm
I am glad he realized he’s mistakes, and owed up to it. Some players don’t realize their mistakes and could care less. I like AJ Green, and can’t wait for him to be back on the field.
GTFan
September 28th, 2010
4:16 pm
*his
Skitty Fritty
September 28th, 2010
4:16 pm
Milledgeville Dawg:
How did you escape from the mental hospital in Milledgeville? Or did they release you when it was shut down and you never left?
PA Dawg
September 28th, 2010
4:16 pm
ugadawg2005 is absolutely correct. USC will lose 4 conference games and UF will lose to AL, LSU, and then the Dawgs. UGA will win the tie breaker and upset AL in the SEC Championship game. AJ will make everyone else better on offense and give the entire team a lift.
The season isn’t over…we’re getting the best receiver in the country back this Saturday.
GO DAWGS!!!!!
DS
September 28th, 2010
4:16 pm
The 4 game suspension over this was a bunch of BS. Now we know why they didn’t that. Those dumbxxx had to find some sort of BS to save face over after they couldn’t bust him on a false rumor. The NCAA need to get a life.
Skitty Fritty
September 28th, 2010
4:17 pm
Ahmed,
Allah willing, I will meet you!
MilledgevilleDawg
September 28th, 2010
4:17 pm
AJ has been on the field………helmet off and dumba** earing shining………that wasnt the sun that almost blinded you it was A.J. turning around and flashing the stands
Football Bat
September 28th, 2010
4:17 pm
DEAR AJ: Save your conscience and your career by announcing that you are going to play your senior year. Your and Murray together can provide leadership this program needs. Get this TEAM fired up and win some games. That rep would follow you a lot longer than the thoughtless jersey sale.
MilledgevilleDawg
September 28th, 2010
4:19 pm
A dawg that is remorseful looks, acts and talks like he is…..this kid just wants to suck us in on “a little lesson in life”. In the meantime………HE LET HIS ENTIRE TEAM, COACHING STAFF AND FANS DOWN…….PURPOSELY!
German Shepherd Dawg
September 28th, 2010
4:19 pm
MilledgevilleDawg,
Now you’re starting to warm up the nozzle here…I’m really trying hard to refrain from trashing someone (pretending at least) to be a fellow Dawg. You obviously were in a drunken stupor for the 1980 season and don’t remember what led up to “Lindsey Scott! Lindsey Scott!….I broke my chair.”
Refresh your memory. Read Tony Barnhart’s book “What it means to be a Bulldog” and enlighten yourself.
joe
September 28th, 2010
4:19 pm
Guess PA dawg didn’t hear her…but the fat lady sang last week. Get off those meds!
grayson
September 28th, 2010
4:20 pm
AJ did a dumb thing. I hope he comes back next year. But the fact remains that there is a freshman quarterback and the much hyped line and running backs aren’t good…
German Shepherd Dawg
September 28th, 2010
4:20 pm
MD,
To borrow from a favorite movie, the line applies to you:
“Oh, to be blissfully free of the ravages of intelligence!”
SadDawg
September 28th, 2010
4:21 pm
Mostly Techies, German Shepherd Dawg.
They love to come on here, put down a “______Dawg name, cut the coaches and players to pieces, then come back here in their little nerd names saying, “UGA fans are the worst in the country, trashing their players and coaches . . . .blah, blah, blah.
Until the AJC makes posters register like ESPN and FOX Sports, they can do this silly crap.
German Shepherd Dawg
September 28th, 2010
4:21 pm
Grayson,
You are correct. The OL is very disappointing thus far.
258DAWG
September 28th, 2010
4:21 pm
Did he say anything like : ” I feel like I owe it to UGA to come back for my senor year,, and make things right “
Paul Johnson
September 28th, 2010
4:21 pm
Question Dawg Fans: Does anyone have Aaron Murray or Justin Houston’s email? I collect jerseys and sure want one of theirs. I pay good $, write checks, deposit in their bank account, save records, everything.
MilledgevilleDawg
September 28th, 2010
4:21 pm
Are you kidding me Football Bat………this kid could care less about loyality. Hey, no doubt he will bring some balls in and score some touchdowns over the next few games but at what cost……….do they still play the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl? We could have had a special year…………..and yes……..one player can make that type of difference…….duhhhhhhhhhh……….My God, He is running over people……by the way……..Happy Birthday Larry Munson!!!!!!!!!
Coachdawg 2000
September 28th, 2010
4:22 pm
I’m proud of AJ Green. He made a poor choice but I thank God that I didn’t get caught doing some of the stupid things I did at UGA in the 90’s. If I got consequences for all of my stupidity then my life would be terrible. I think and the rest of the team need to approach this as a 0-0 season so far and GATA! Welcome back AJ and let’s ad minister a punishing beatdown on the Buffs and get ready to destroy Baby Dooley.
Harry the Hat
September 28th, 2010
4:22 pm
German Shepard Dawg
Please tell us you never attended Georgia. Our tax money supports that disgusting place.
German Shepherd Dawg
September 28th, 2010
4:22 pm
Sad,
I know you’re right….there’s a lot of pretenders out there. But there are some fair weather fans out there as well, and my warning applied to both.
Live long and prosper….and don’t worry, be happy!
Sorry. I couldn’t resist.
German Shepherd Dawg
September 28th, 2010
4:23 pm
Harry,
Sorry to disappoint, but 1981-1984 graduated BBA in MIS.
In truth, I am really a computer.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
4:24 pm
It must be really cold in PA already because PADawg’s Brain is already frozen on stupid.
MilledgevilleDawg
September 28th, 2010
4:24 pm
Hey Shepherd……..sorry buddy……the legend in your mind is not everyone elses……….only you can be a legen for you! Now do me a favor and bite your bottom lip…..that’s a good shepherd
Tech 54
September 28th, 2010
4:24 pm
Tech82,
“where did he suddenly come up with the “extra cash” to give $1,000 to charity? I’m not suggesting anything – just asking…”
SHOVE IT TURDHEAD!
road warrior
September 28th, 2010
4:25 pm
People talk about college players being compensated and they are already. Free tuition and room and board is nothing to sneeze at. They are getting a free education and if they are any good, they have the opportunity to make millions in the NFL. Of course if you get DUIs, steal other people’s stuff and violate all the rules, you are throwing away all these opportunities. It constantly amazes me!
404
September 28th, 2010
4:25 pm
How many ways is there for AJ Green-back to say:
“I’m a dumb-azz”
MilledgevilleDawg
September 28th, 2010
4:25 pm
No…..not a computer…..but those dates certainly indicate you haven’t been around long enough to share any wisdom on this subject
German Shepherd Dawg
September 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
Coachdawg, If they caught you in the 90s, it’s because they learned after me and my compadres were there in the early 80s and the cops got wise from our mistakes.
Harry the Hat
September 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
PADawg
No way Georgia is going to the Bubba Bowl.
Michael
September 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
Moral of The Story?……..cash only.
Mark (another one)
September 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
All previous reports have been that AJ is a standup guy and a great team player. Then this come out. The question of which AJ is accurate is something you can all struggle with. I believe he is a standup guy, but not perfect, and he was slammed out of preportion by the NCAA.
AJ and UGA have paid the price, and its time to move on. We can’t fix the last four weeks. We can only worry about the rest of this season and the future. Put AJ in and see if he can help Murray grow as a QB. It also might take some pressure off the running game.
SadDawg
September 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
An offense is only as good as the OC. UGA’s OC is the worst I’ve seen in about 40 years of playing and watching football. Don’t blame the QB, the RBs, or the O-line.
Lane Kiffin said, “Georgia is the easiest team on our schedule to prepare for. They are still running the same stuff they have for 10 years.”
How would you like to be a lineman, RB, or QB on an offense like this?
404
September 28th, 2010
4:27 pm
How bout Ben Jones spearing he MissST player in the knee from behind?
Go back and watch the video and read Dan Mullen’s lips.
German Shepherd Dawg
September 28th, 2010
4:27 pm
MD,
I’m stunned. Almost speechless.
Was that English? Do you have a third grade education or something? You obviously never attended my alma mater, because you couldn’t pass remedial English.
Dawgs Tell
September 28th, 2010
4:27 pm
TMZ my A$@- How about the Univ. of Alabama.When the heat started,someone started talking.A.J. needs to see who he knows or talks to at Bama.Also he was not a kid, he was 21 when he made this decision.In my book you are not a child anymore at 21. If he needed the cash were was mom and dad. If they did not have the funds;I’m sure they could get a personal loan for him. Hell if I was a banker I would give them a loan for 1000.00 with interest payable in 24 months. He will be making millions when it is due. I’m sure he could pay them back by then.Oh well time to move on-WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!