UPDATE: 6 p.m. So let this be a lesson for all of you kids out there: Don't even think of getting caught signing autographs for a memorabilia dealer because you might be forced to miss half of a game against Rice.
It's official: In yet another bizarre decision by the NCAA, Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel has been suspended for the first half of his team's season opener against Rice. The NCAA could not find any evidence -- shocking, I know -- that Manziel received compensation for reportedly signing over 4,000 items. So it found the Heisman Trophy winner guilty of only a secondary violation. Bylaw 12.5.2.1 states student-athletes can't permit their names or likenesses to be used for commercial purposes, including to advertise, recommend or promote sales of commercial products, or accept payment for the use of their names or likenesses.
The NCAA released this joint statement with Texas A&M: "If additional information comes to light, the NCAA will review and consider if further action is appropriate. NCAA rules are clear that student-athletes may not accept money for items they sign and based on information provided by Manziel, that did not happen in this case."
The NCAA clearly felt pressure to do something before the Aggies' first game, although how close to something this ranks is debateable.
You may now proceed with your eye roll.
The earlier blog is below
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If this latest report about the Johnny Manziel autograph saga is true, the Texas A&M quarterback will be suspended for only the first half of Saturday’s season opener against Rice.
Really? If that's true, A.J. Green wants his 3½ games back.
UPDATE: ESPN now also is reporting that Manziel will be suspended for the first half of the Rice game, and that "The agreement between the NCAA and Texas A&M closes the book on Manziel's recent issues."
I would say the one-half suspension sounds implausible but it’s not as if the NCAA or SEC schools haven't made similar decisions before. Former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton was “suspended” on a practice day. Not sure if he missed lunch.
The Manziel report comes from Billy Liucci of TexAgs.com. Manziel reportedly signed thousands of autographs for memorabilia dealers this summer, presumably for compensation. If true, that violates NCAA rules. But Liucci's report suggests that no evidence of compensation has been found and Manziel has been found guilty of only a secondary violations.
Following are four consecutive Tweets from Liucci on Twitter on Wednesday:
Personally, I find it a little difficult to believe that Manziel was not compensated in some way for the autographs. Otherwise, why would he have kept the signings secret? But all along this figured to be a difficult case for the NCAA to prove. We're talking about an outfit that struggles to prove even seemingly obvious cases and has seen its investigative force depleted by resignations.
In any case, I'll post an update to this blog if there's an official announcement Wednesday.
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