Aggies QB Manziel Suspended For First Half Of Opener
COLLEGE STATION (CBSDFW.COM) -- Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel has been suspended for the first half of the team's season-opener against Rice, CBS Sports has confirmed.
The suspension was first reported by Billy Liucci of TexAgs.com via Twitter.
https://twitter.com/billyliucci/statuses/372794607634903042
According to ESPN, the suspension is part of an agreement between Manziel and the NCAA which closes the book on the investigation.
Sources tell ESPN that the NCAA has acknowledged that the Heisman Trophy winner did not receive money for signing autographs.
Though neither the school nor the NCAA have addressed the suspension, the length of the ban suggests a secondary violation, likely as a result of a violation of NCAA Bylaw 12.5.2.2.
Title:12.5.2.2 - Use of a Student-Athlete's Name or Picture Without Knowledge or Permission.
If a student-athlete's name or picture appears on commercial items (e.g., T-shirts, sweatshirts, serving trays, playing cards, posters) or is used to promote a commercial product sold by an individual or agency without the student-athlete's knowledge or permission, the student-athlete (or the institution acting on behalf of the student-athlete) is required to take steps to stop such an activity in order to retain his or her eligibility for intercollegiate athletics. Such steps are not required in cases in which a student-athlete's photograph is sold by an individual or agency (e.g., private photographer, news agency) for private use.
The bylaw requires that a student-athlete or institution "take steps" to end the unauthorized selling of commercial items.
The Aggies addressed the media on Tuesday; however, the topic of Manziel was strictly off limits.
"We're not discussing that," said head coach Kevin Sumlin. "I thought we went over that right from the beginning."
According to reports, Manziel had a lengthy meeting with the NCAA this weekend in which Manziel denied having received compensation for his autographs.
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