The Johnny Manziel autograph saga may be coming close to being resolved, at least from the NCAA’s perspective.
ESPN’s Travis Haney reports that the NCAA met with Manziel for six hours on the Texas A&M campus Sunday to question the Heisman Trophy winner about reports that he was paid to autograph sports memorabilia.
Four separate reports have implicated Manziel in the “scandal.” Two autograph brokers have said they paid the Texas A&M quarterback to sign autographs for them. A third broker says Manziel’s assistant Nate Finch asked for money for Manziel to sign. A fourth broker says Manziel signed for him, with the implication being that the athlete was paid.
It’s against NCAA rules for a player to receive money for signing autographs, and Manziel could be suspended the entire season if the NCAA finds proof that he accepted money. The NCAA could ask to review Manziel’s bank statements, but without proof of acceptance of payment, it would be difficult for them to suspend him.
A&M officials reportedly are not planning to preemptively sit Manziel for fear that he could later be ruled ineligible by the NCAA. The school opens up its football season on Saturday against Rice.
