Few LSU alumni were prouder than Odell Beckham Jr after the Tigers defeated Clemson in the national championship game on Monday night, but the star receiver may have created some issues for the program with one of the ways he acknowledged the big win.
Beckham, who was born and raised in Baton Rouge, celebrated on the field with LSU players and seemed genuinely thrilled with their accomplishment. He also may have been trying to make a statement to the NCAA when he pulled a wad of cash out of his pocket and handed some to junior wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jontre Kirklin right in front of television cameras.
Odell Beckham Jr. handing out cash like a bank teller after LSU's national championship victory.
Julio Jones might back a Brinks truck on the field the next time Alabama wins. pic.twitter.com/TXUCsbzLHm
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) January 14, 2020
While we don’t have much context, that seemed like an act that would constitute a clear NCAA violation. Both Jefferson and Kirklin could be entering the NFL Draft, so perhaps Beckham wasn’t worried about impacting their eligibility. Either way, there are going to be questions.
If you saw what Ohio State star Chase Young got in trouble for earlier this season, you know how the NCAA views players borrowing or being handed money. Beckham is smart enough to know that, and it seems like he intentionally handed the LSU players the money for all to see.
UPDATE: LSU claims the money Beckham handed out was fake.
