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.”
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
689 comments Add your comment
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
6:25 pm
D Wayne you can’t do that. TITLE IX. please read and learn about college sports. the only sports that really generate money are Football and Mens Basketball. They make all the other sports possible. For every mens sport their has to be a womens sport. Pay one you have to pay all and equally. TITLE XI.
59bulldawg
September 28th, 2010
6:26 pm
dawghater, you’re the one who seems to have problems of comprehension. Maybe it’s because you’re so busy running your mouth and trying to incite that you’re not paying attention. The NCAA was fishing for a rules violation . . . they thought at first it would be attendance at the party in Miami . . . and then when they saw they didn’t have the evidence . . . they kept digging until they found something. To me it seems similar to a DA who can’t get a conviction for theft settling for a conviction on jaywalking. Seems to me the NCAA was determined to nail AJ for something. I never claimed that the kid was innocent. Never claimed that rules are bad. But a lot of what the NCAA does probably wouldn’t stand up in court. When they didn’t find the evidence they were seeking, they should have just dropped it. They only found the jersey money after he gave them access to his bank account. You know there is such a thing as the right not to self-incriminate. With no access, there would have been no questions about the $1000. And if no questions about that and no evidence of his attending the party in Miami, it seems to me the NCAA would not have had a case. I suspect they were just covering their a$$ after their failed investigation had already cost AJ game time. Sonny, your points might be taken better if you actually listened to the other side of the argument every now and then instead of making blind accusations. I don’t give a rat’s a$$ whether you like the Dawgs or not. I just question why such a person would even want to be on a blog discussing the very thing he proclaims to hate. But maybe this is the only attention you can get. LOL!
safetydawg
September 28th, 2010
6:26 pm
If I had gotten $1000 on spring break my deposit would have wound up being about $700. Seems strange that it would all go in the bank.
I agree with others who pointed out that AJ seems to be more concerned about himself than the team. Some guys are better fits for the NFL than college. College football would be a better place if people like AJ could just go straight to the NFL like the NBA does.
dawg from a distance
September 28th, 2010
6:27 pm
5150 you are right on…….
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
6:27 pm
5150 P.O.A.D when you guys can win the ACC which also sucks then talk you punk
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
6:28 pm
Did you guys se my favorite athlete michael vick sunday
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
6:28 pm
BS DAN 08 @ Tech 37-7
09 @ Miss 42-31
you are STUPID.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
6:30 pm
You losers are going down if we meet again, just remember who the real BULLDOGS are 5150 P.O.A.D
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
6:31 pm
DAN we won the ACC last year. When has Miss St won the SEC anything?
Dwayne
September 28th, 2010
6:32 pm
No need for me to waste time reading Title IX. I just threw out an option\opinion. No big deal. I got a question, Can a student athlete still get a job watching sprinklers turn off and on, 4 hours a week, for, say. 500.00 bucks?
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
6:32 pm
Won the ACC last year, that was 1940 something cause GT hasn’t had a decent team in a while
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
6:33 pm
Whoever the falcon loser is talking about Miss. State bite me
dawgmatic
September 28th, 2010
6:34 pm
Why didn’t he just take lunch money from a North Avenue NERD?? The team’s been doing that for YEARS!!
Anonymous
September 28th, 2010
6:35 pm
Why is anyone surprised. This is a program whose players sold their sec title rings back in 2002 or 2005 for cash to party on spring break. What a bunch of pathetic losers.
Just Saying
September 28th, 2010
6:36 pm
Lets look at the remaining schedule and odds for each game with AJ back.
Colorado UGA is a favorite Win
Tennessee UGA is a favorite Win
Vanderbilt UGA is a favorite Win
Kentucky toss up ??
Florida UGA is a dog Loss
Idaho St. UGA is a favorite Win
Auburn UGA is a dog Loss
GT UGA is a favorite Win
With the record at 1-3
That is 5 for sure wins for minimum total of 6 wins
One that is a toss up may get 7 wins
Two losses as underdogs for a record of minimum of 6 and 6
OR
at most 7 wins and 5 losses
or even if lucky and beat a Florida(doubtful) or an Auburn( 40% chance)
8-4
Even with AJ Green in the lineup it does not change the odds more than a point either way.
6 and 6 seems more and more likely everyday and after 3 years in a row of downward spiraling records this program is in shambles.
Just think, if Richt is retained and fires his offensive staff, that is a new set of coaches that will have to teach and coach players along for the second year in a row….and another 7-5 season or a 6-6 season next year looks more and more likely without an AJ Green or Durham, and anyone else who leaves voluntarily or unvoluntarily….this program needs a new direction.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
6:37 pm
Dan what are you studying at Miss St? Let me guess elementary school education?
1-3
September 28th, 2010
6:38 pm
Delusional dawg fans are yall still talking sec and national titles?
Are are ya’ll out selling jerseys and rings for cash like the no good bums that your players are?
Are are they all in jail or on probation? What is it? 43 arrests since 2007 now?
Can the dawgs go a week without someone being arrested?
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
6:39 pm
And I keep telling myself…what a wonderful world!!!! Go Dawgs!!!!
Dwayne
September 28th, 2010
6:40 pm
I agree with just saying, Dawgs are pathetic this year.
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
6:40 pm
5150 P.O.A.D when georgia tech beats a real team then talk and stop beating cupcakes everyweek loser
Dan Mullen
September 28th, 2010
6:41 pm
GO MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS!!!!
Eric C.
September 28th, 2010
6:41 pm
UGA can still win out folks with Green back in action. UF is the only real tough contest left.
Jamaica Dawg
September 28th, 2010
6:44 pm
I sure hope AJ considers staying next year to help atone for this year’s transgression. It would be an amazing gesture to his teammates and coaches, and it would certainly help cement his legacy at UGA and give him another shot at the Heisman….AJ, dawgnation still loves you man, you’re a damn good dawg!!
K-man
September 28th, 2010
6:47 pm
A J GREEN…the NCAA has no legal rights to your bank statements. That is your own private document. You should have contacted a lawyer. They need a court order to see your statements. The NCAA really has some nerve….they make all this money off of you kids….but dont want you to have any! Coaches can violate the rules …and just transfer to another school…..players cant do that without sitting for a years time! TALK ABOUT UNFAIR!
AltamahaDawg
September 28th, 2010
6:52 pm
Did it , caught, paid the price. But holy smoke, “we are convinced you didn’t do what he heard through the internet rumor, so put that to rest, BUT since we are here we are going to need to see you bank records now”?????
Just Saying
September 28th, 2010
6:54 pm
Just to add my two cents…the NCAA requires every eligible player (on scholarship or not) to complete a package that includes information on their automobile, bank records, medical history, and various other items related to relatives or family friends, or guardianship. These records do not list approval for the NCAA to investigate ones bank records, however the document states that the NCAA may require any player to submit documentation to the NCAA for clarification purposes to determine if a player’s eligiblity has been breached. This is very broad but it is part of every universities package process and is updated every year or if a change is made to an eligible players status(such a driving or owning a new car, used car or whatever). The NCAA compliance officer at each school is responsible to insure all documents are in order. This is why at most universities the schools have hired additional staffing to track and update players paperwork. In this case if AJ Green had refused to provide these documents he would have been ruled ineligible due to his failure to provide additional information. The NCAA can and has subpoened documents as in the Alabama (Albert Means) case.
That is the best I can give you.
AltamahaDawg
September 28th, 2010
6:56 pm
How many current and former college players do you think raised an eyebrow to read that?
Just Saying
September 28th, 2010
7:00 pm
If the judge in the Ronnie Cottrell case had let the jury verdict award stand and had allowed the NCAA to be at 50% at fault in that case as ruled by another judge, the big NCAA curtain of circumstance and questioning of players, coaches, and booster would have been out in the open.
Until someone with deep pockets takes on the NCAA in court and has a judge who will allow the NCAA to open its books it is all a moot point.
Gatorman
September 28th, 2010
7:00 pm
I feel for the young man, and believe his story. I guess he should have realized that typically most folks don’t offer you $1000 for a jersey, unless they have motive. Does anyone know who turned him in, was that scumbag that bought the jersey?
interested person
September 28th, 2010
7:01 pm
This infraction is not as egregious as some of the other ’sins’ against NCAA rules. I get tired of the these schools making all this money off these college kids. I care less that he sold his jersey. Give ‘em some money! He needed it. Folks get of fhis back. A booster should have given him some money. hehehehehe! (that’s what they always do)
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
7:04 pm
If Booster of teams like Bama in the 60’s didn’t pay a kid $100 a day to check the air pressure of the tires on his golf cart, then the NCAA wouldn’t have the rules. Let us not forget the reason AJ was in trouble is because of UGA players that went on Ebay to sell their Rings. The rule that busted AJ is because of UGA players. Too Damn Funny if you ask me.
Just Saying
September 28th, 2010
7:05 pm
For the poster who wishes for AJ Green to feel obligated to return next year to make amends, please think again. Millions and Millions of dollars are waiting to be collected by this young man next Spring and UGA will be lucky if he steps foot on campus until he has retired from The NFL.
The only way any player will return who is a possible first or second round draft pick is if the NFL owners vote on a “LOCKOUT” and with billions of dollars at stake and contracts to Cities and stadiums that require payments, a lockout is not going to happen and AJ will be lining up next year in the NFL.
Ole Yeller Dawg
September 28th, 2010
7:08 pm
This story has a fishy smell to it, (just like the red panties) Hawkins just happens be to a former North Carolina Tar heel. John Blake North Carolina’s associate head coach/recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach suddenly resigns Sep 5, from his job because he has ties (friends for 20 years)to a California Sports agent by the name of Gary Wichard who owns Pro Tect Management sports agency. Brian Bosworth was one of Wichard’s first high-profile clients to sign out of Oklahoma while you guessed it, Blake was on the Oklahoma coaching staff! At least 12 players on Wichard’s current and former client list played at colleges where Blake was coaching! I believe Hawkins is a “runner” for Blake who has a pipeline directly to Wichard. They were fishing AJ out by over paying for his jersey! I say AJ was lucky he didn’t get supended for the season!
Just Saying
September 28th, 2010
7:13 pm
OLE YELLER DOG…..You have it right sir!
KimZ'sPackage
September 28th, 2010
7:13 pm
Just asking but does anybody know how much a GYM Dawgs Leotard go for these days?
CrackDaddy
September 28th, 2010
7:13 pm
I actually sort of sympathize w/AJ (and I ain’t a UGa fan) for what he did. That’s a pretty tough temptation for a young man who probably doesn’t have much money at all. I probably would have done the same thing. That said, I have some good friends who would not have succumbed to that temptation. So in the end, I guess it is as it should be.
Eontvious
September 28th, 2010
7:14 pm
The NCAA needs to mind their own business. Leave the brother alone.
nell
September 28th, 2010
7:16 pm
The NCAA exploits kids.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
7:18 pm
and the KIDS exploit the schools. They don’t stay and get their degrees and leave the first chance they get to make money.
Kel
September 28th, 2010
7:26 pm
He could have sold some of that bling he wears. I wonder how he paid for that??
Pay Up
September 28th, 2010
7:27 pm
The universities make millions from these players and the NCAA needs to order schools to pay $1,000-$2,000 per month in salary, which is chump change for big time programs like Ga, Fla and alabama.
Bravos
September 28th, 2010
7:29 pm
I can’t stand it when people say “these poor athletes who come from no money”. These “ppor athletes are getting a free ride at a top university. My son would have loved to get into UGA but even with very good grades he was denied. These “poor athletes” need to get over it and grow up. They are getting a huge privilege going to a great school and they should follow the rules or get out! Maybe my son and other “poor students” that deserve to be there can then get in.
playing time
September 28th, 2010
7:37 pm
A J maybe be back next year along with others. I don’t think the NFL players and owners will reach an agreement. I personally agree with the players position.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 28th, 2010
7:38 pm
Pay Up read a few older post before you get all stupid saying pay the players $1k to $2k per month. That kiind of money doesn’t exist to play players. Read my 5:30, 6:01, 6:14, 6:25 posts and learn a little before you say Pay Up!
Montel
September 28th, 2010
7:45 pm
The rich universities are exploiting these football players for money. Most of the football team is African-American and it’s like a big plantation system, with all the rich white university boards making all these millions from African-American players. These players need to rise up and demand money for playing—a lot more than just some basic scholarship!
SLim
September 28th, 2010
7:46 pm
The ship was sinking before AJ’s trouble. AJ’s return will only help a little…UGA’ season is over and CMR is thinking about his next job.
Fastdawg
September 28th, 2010
7:56 pm
If the NCAA looked at every college athlete’s bank record, how many other athletes would be suspended?
HeHateGator
September 28th, 2010
8:00 pm
Baloney, they all know they can’t sell jerseys, helmets, anything….
Hit A Single
September 28th, 2010
8:01 pm
I hate to tell the NCAA, but there is alot going on out there. Okay AJ it is time to play. Oh yea SLim you are what we describe as a quitter.
CLEVON LITTLE
September 28th, 2010
8:01 pm
DDPO , You ever heard of looking at the glass 1/2 full?