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Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel is being suspended for the first half of Saturday's season opener against Rice.
TexAgs.com was the first to report the suspension.
Texas A&M and the NCAA confirmed there is no evidence that the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback received money in exchange for autographs. The suspension is due to an inadvertent violation relating to certain autographs.
A joint statement from the school and the NCAA said that in addition to the suspension, Manziel will address the team about the situation and lessons learned, and Texas A&M will revise its future education concerning student-athlete autographs for individuals with multiple items.
The statement goes on to say that "based on the information submitted by the university, the NCAA accepted the conditions as put forward by 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."
“I am proud of the way both Coach Sumlin and Johnny handled this situation, with integrity and honesty," said John Sharp, Texas A&M University system chancellor. "We all take the Aggie Code of Honor very seriously and there is no evidence that either the university or Johnny violated that code.”
Manziel met with NCAA officials for nearly six hours Sunday amid allegations he received payment for his autograph. Various reports have connected him to several memorabilia dealers who claim to have paid Manziel for separate autograph sessions, which would be a violation of NCAA rules.
Manziel reportedly denied he received payment for signing autographs during his weekend meeting with NCAA officials.
Manziel burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman last season, earning the nickname “Johnny Football” when he amassed more than 5,000 total yards with 47 touchdowns (26 passing, 21 rushing) on his way to becoming the first freshman to ever win the Heisman Trophy.
