Will embattled Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel play this week? We're apparently about to find out.
Johnny Manziel met with NCAA, reportedly denied autograph claims
A six-hour meeting between the NCAA and Johnny Football only led to the QB denying claims of accepting payment for autographs.
Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE
Manziel met with NCAA investigators for six hours on Sunday, according to ESPN.com, and the next step is the NCAA’s recommendation on whether Manziel is allowed to suit up for the Aggies in their season opener against Rice. That recommendation is expected on Wednesday, per Sports Talk 610 in Houston, who cites a Texas A&M source.
The NCAA is primarily concerned with Manziel’s involvement with multiple autograph brokers who have claimed that Manziel signed more than 4,000 items in exchange for payment, which is a flagrant violation of the NCAA’s amateurism rules. According to Bruce Feldman at CBSSports.com, Manziel denied accepting those payments during the Sunday meeting.
This would not be a determination of eligibility, simply a recommendation, but ignoring the NCAA’s advice about sitting Manziel could endangerTexas A&M’s season as it begins if this situation worsens.
That all said, Texas A&M is operating as if Manziel is not being formally investigated. He was named the starting quarterback by the school on Monday, his lawyer said in early August that there was no investigation or any formal allegations, and an FOIA request by SBNation’s own Good Bull Hunting indicates no documentation of a formal NCAA investigation as of Aug. 5.
Thus, while we won’t know how the meeting between Manziel and the NCAA went or what the NCAA’s recommendation on his future is until Wednesday, at this point it seems safe to assume Manziel will suit up and be ready to go at Kyle Field this Saturday.
More from SB Nation:
See More:
