A.J. can’t play, at least not any time soon.
Georgia junior receiver A.J. Green has to miss four games before becoming eligible again, according to a decision reached Wednesday afternoon by the NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff. New athletic director Greg McGarity said the university will appeal to the NCAA Division I Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement.
According to facts submitted by Georgia, the 6-foot-4, 212-pounder sold his Independence Bowl game jersey for $1,000 to an individual who met the NCAA’s definition of an agent.
“I want to apologize to my coaches, teammates and the Georgia fans for the mistake in judgment,” Green said in a statement. “I very much regret all that has taken place and the distraction that’s been caused. I’ve learned a valuable lesson and hope others can learn from my mistake.”
Green, who led the Bulldogs in receiving the past two seasons and entered this year with numerous preseason All-America laurels, was held out of last Saturday’s 55-7 opening win over Louisiana-Lafayette.