Johnny Football Gets Suspended

29 Aug, 2013

Johnny Manziel was suspended Wednesday for the first half of the Aggies’ season opener against Rice on Saturday for what the school said was an “inadvertent” violation of NCAA rules involving signing autographs.

The quarterback was being investigated for allegedly accepting money for autographs from memorabilia brokers, a violation of NCAA rules that could have led to a much longer suspension. ESPN first reported the allegations against Manziel earlier this month.

The latest problem isn’t the first time off-the-field trouble has put Manziel’s career in jeopardy.

Manziel was arrested last summer after a bar fight near campus and charged with disorderly conduct, possession of a fake ID and failure to identify himself to police. It was an incident that put him in danger of being suspended from school and left him having to earn the starting job in fall camp.

Manziel admitted this June that he failed to identify himself to police following the altercation. As part of a plea deal, other charges against the 20-year-old, including disorderly conduct, were dismissed, and it looked as though Manziel’s trouble was behind him before the latest problems came to light.

The school issued a statement Wednesday saying it declared the Heisman winner ineligible and that the NCAA agreed to reinstate Manziel after he sits out the first half against the underdog Owls.

“I am proud of the way both Coach Sumlin and Johnny handled this situation, with integrity and honesty,” Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp said in the statement. “We all take the Aggie Code of Honor very seriously and there is no evidence that either the university or Johnny violated that code.”

According to the statement, Texas A&M and the NCAA “confirmed there is no evidence Manziel received money in exchange for autographs based on currently available information and statements by Manziel.”

Conditions for reinstatement include Manziel discussing his actions with teammates and A&M revising how it educates student-athletes about signing autographs.

“Student-athletes are often asked for autographs from fans, but unfortunately, some individuals’ sole motivation in seeking an autograph is for resale,” said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president of academic and membership affairs. “It is important that schools are cognizant and educate student-athletes about situations in which there is a strong likelihood that the autograph seeker plans to resell the items.”

Manziel likely will be replaced for the opening half by either junior Matt Joeckel or freshman Kenny Hill. Joeckel has thrown only 11 passes in his college career.

Manziel became the first freshman to win the Heisman last season, setting numerous school and Southeastern Conference records while leading A&M to an 11-2 mark and a victory over No. 1 Alabama in its first season in the SEC.

AP

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