Julio Jones and Mark Ingram
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Rumor around here is they also went on a cruise - sound like they will not play. other news is that a line backer got a free Laptop and is out
Jones and Ingram went on a fishing trip with a man who they knew outside of the context of college football, and the man is not a booster, alumnus or connected with the school in any way. The hope is the NCAA will rule prior to the game. If the NCAA agrees that the man isn't connected to the school and that he didn't take them because they were Bama players, then he can take them fishing if he wants to (he knew one of them from when they worked at a marina he used) and there are no problems. If the NCAA decides that he took them because they were players, the possible penalties are Jones and Ingram reimburse the man for the cost of the trip if the cost is under $100 (each, presumably) which could be done prior to kickoff, or a 4 game suspension if the cost is over $100. If there is no word by Friday, I would guess that Bama would not play them for fear of getting in worse trouble if the decision came later that there was a violation. This has been going on about a week now. I think the great likelihood is that the NCAA says no violation occured since there was a relationship before Bama.
Scarbinsky: University of Alabama probes fishing trip taken by Julio Jones, Mark Ingram
Posted by Kevin Scarbinsky -- The Birmingham News August 22, 2009 11:32 PM
It's not a fish story. Close friends and University of Alabama football stars Julio Jones and Mark Ingram did go fishing together during the offseason. It was the involvement of a third party who paid for the trip -- Curtis Anderson of Athens -- that led the Alabama compliance department to investigate, as a precaution, for potential NCAA violations.
It's an example of how vigilant a high-profile football program must be.
Alabama officials said they've sent the results of their recently concluded investigation to the Southeastern Conference office, which in turn shares that information with the NCAA.
''The university is aware of Mr. Anderson and has taken appropriate steps," said a statement from Deborah Lane, Alabama's assistant to the president and assistant vice president for university relations.
''Mr. Anderson is not affiliated with UA. He is not a UA booster, fan or alumnus, and is not a UA season ticket-holder. In fact, Mr. Anderson told us that all of his family are fans of another SEC school."
Because Anderson isn't considered a representative of Alabama's athletics interests, it's not expected that the wideout Jones and the running back Ingram will be suspended from any games.
But no one can know for sure until the NCAA rules. Expect a decision before Alabama opens its season Sept. 5 against Virginia Tech.
Anderson can't believe it's gone this far.
''If they try to hurt those two guys," Anderson said. He didn't finish that sentence, but during a phone interview, he was clearly bothered by even the remote prospect that two young men he calls friends might be punished for helping him make a wish come true.
Anderson is the owner of Eagle Wholesale Supply in Athens. He paid for a fishing charter in the spring with Jones and Ingram from the Alabama Gulf Coast. Jones is from nearby Foley.
But there's so much more to the story.
''I didn't carry them fishing," Anderson said. ''They carried me fishing. I can't even stand up by myself." Literally. He said he has degenerative disk disease, among a long list of physical ailments, and has been through six major operations. He said, before his physical problems began, he was an outdoorsman who hunted and fished throughout the United States and Canada.
''For seven years, I haven't been able to go fishing," Anderson said.
''I wanted to go one more time. I said, 'If I can get a hook in one fish, I'll be happy.'"
Anderson said the charter boat captain was reluctant to let him take the trip because of his physical condition. He said they were supposed to travel 28 miles out but made it only six miles because he couldn't go any farther.
He said the trip was possible only because Jones and Ingram physically carried him onto the boat and supported him while on-board.
Anderson, who lives in Athens but also has a condo in Gulf Shores, wouldn't discuss how they met. But he said he'd been friends with Jones, who is from Foley, and Ingram for ''a long time."
He said they became friends, in large part, because he didn't know they were football players when they met.
''When I was told, 'This is Julio Jones,' I said, 'Whoopty-do.' I had no idea who Julio Jones was. I've got my right hand on this Bible. I swear to Jesus Christ, I had no idea who Julio Jones and Mark Ingram were when I met them and they became friends of mine.
''I didn't know for weeks and months."
Anderson said he's simply not a football fan.
''I don't have nothing to do with football at all," he said. ''I don't give a dang if anybody wins or loses." Nor have his conversations with the players involved football, he said.
''Every single time I've talked to them -- ask anybody that knows me that has heard the conversations -- I say, 'How many days did you spend in the library this week? What are your grades? You tell me the honest truth.'
''They're personal friends of mine. Julio and Mark don't mean nothing to me as football players."
Anderson said he used to talk to the players ''non-stop" but was told to stop communicating with them. He wouldn't say who told him that, but did say that he has spoken to an Alabama official about the situation and has not spoken to anyone from the NCAA.
Anderson asked and answered a natural question about his friendship with Jones and Ingram.
''How can a 19- or 20-year-old black person care about a 55-year-old white person so much?" he said. ''Did the Bible say there was black and white?
''I haven't seen that. The Bible says we're all created equal."
Been going on for several months now but recently gained publicity. Both Jones and Ingram could technically face NCAA sanctions at any given time.
Some are worried, some not so much.. I originally thought they would be suspended at some point several months ago, but I seriously doubt that now as a more complete story has surfaced and the fact that Curtis Anderson has no involvement with Alabama football/boosters. He met Jones ata Mobile area marina where Jones worked in High School. Tough to say if anything will come of it with Bam's problems in the past..
Posted by Kevin Scarbinsky -- The Birmingham News August 22, 2009 11:32 PM
It's not a fish story. Close friends and University of Alabama football stars Julio Jones and Mark Ingram did go fishing together during the offseason. It was the involvement of a third party who paid for the trip -- Curtis Anderson of Athens -- that led the Alabama compliance department to investigate, as a precaution, for potential NCAA violations.
It's an example of how vigilant a high-profile football program must be.
Alabama officials said they've sent the results of their recently concluded investigation to the Southeastern Conference office, which in turn shares that information with the NCAA.
''The university is aware of Mr. Anderson and has taken appropriate steps," said a statement from Deborah Lane, Alabama's assistant to the president and assistant vice president for university relations.
''Mr. Anderson is not affiliated with UA. He is not a UA booster, fan or alumnus, and is not a UA season ticket-holder. In fact, Mr. Anderson told us that all of his family are fans of another SEC school."
Because Anderson isn't considered a representative of Alabama's athletics interests, it's not expected that the wideout Jones and the running back Ingram will be suspended from any games.
But no one can know for sure until the NCAA rules. Expect a decision before Alabama opens its season Sept. 5 against Virginia Tech.
Anderson can't believe it's gone this far.
''If they try to hurt those two guys," Anderson said. He didn't finish that sentence, but during a phone interview, he was clearly bothered by even the remote prospect that two young men he calls friends might be punished for helping him make a wish come true.
Anderson is the owner of Eagle Wholesale Supply in Athens. He paid for a fishing charter in the spring with Jones and Ingram from the Alabama Gulf Coast. Jones is from nearby Foley.
But there's so much more to the story.
''I didn't carry them fishing," Anderson said. ''They carried me fishing. I can't even stand up by myself." Literally. He said he has degenerative disk disease, among a long list of physical ailments, and has been through six major operations. He said, before his physical problems began, he was an outdoorsman who hunted and fished throughout the United States and Canada.
''For seven years, I haven't been able to go fishing," Anderson said.
''I wanted to go one more time. I said, 'If I can get a hook in one fish, I'll be happy.'"
Anderson said the charter boat captain was reluctant to let him take the trip because of his physical condition. He said they were supposed to travel 28 miles out but made it only six miles because he couldn't go any farther.
He said the trip was possible only because Jones and Ingram physically carried him onto the boat and supported him while on-board.
Anderson, who lives in Athens but also has a condo in Gulf Shores, wouldn't discuss how they met. But he said he'd been friends with Jones, who is from Foley, and Ingram for ''a long time."
He said they became friends, in large part, because he didn't know they were football players when they met.
''When I was told, 'This is Julio Jones,' I said, 'Whoopty-do.' I had no idea who Julio Jones was. I've got my right hand on this Bible. I swear to Jesus Christ, I had no idea who Julio Jones and Mark Ingram were when I met them and they became friends of mine.
''I didn't know for weeks and months."
Anderson said he's simply not a football fan.
''I don't have nothing to do with football at all," he said. ''I don't give a dang if anybody wins or loses." Nor have his conversations with the players involved football, he said.
''Every single time I've talked to them -- ask anybody that knows me that has heard the conversations -- I say, 'How many days did you spend in the library this week? What are your grades? You tell me the honest truth.'
''They're personal friends of mine. Julio and Mark don't mean nothing to me as football players."
Anderson said he used to talk to the players ''non-stop" but was told to stop communicating with them. He wouldn't say who told him that, but did say that he has spoken to an Alabama official about the situation and has not spoken to anyone from the NCAA.
Anderson asked and answered a natural question about his friendship with Jones and Ingram.
''How can a 19- or 20-year-old black person care about a 55-year-old white person so much?" he said. ''Did the Bible say there was black and white?
''I haven't seen that. The Bible says we're all created equal."
Been going on for several months now but recently gained publicity. Both Jones and Ingram could technically face NCAA sanctions at any given time.
Some are worried, some not so much.. I originally thought they would be suspended at some point several months ago, but I seriously doubt that now as a more complete story has surfaced and the fact that Curtis Anderson has no involvement with Alabama football/boosters. He met Jones ata Mobile area marina where Jones worked in High School. Tough to say if anything will come of it with Bam's problems in the past..
NCAA says there was no rules violation in Julio Jones-Mark Ingram fishing trip
Posted by Don Kausler Jr. -- The Birmingham News September 02, 2009 7:00 PM
The NCAA has ruled that there was no rules violation in its review of an incident involving sophomore Alabama football stars Julio Jones and Mark Ingram and a 56-year-old Athens businessman. Alabama coach Nick Saban met with the news media after today's practice, but he was gone by the time the ruling was announced.
The NCAA announced its decision in a written statement sent out at 6:49 p.m.
By ruling there is no infraction, there will be no penalty, so Jones, a star wide receiver, and Ingram, the starting running back, are cleared to play Saturday in the fifth-ranked Crimson Tide's opener against seventh-ranked Virginia Tech in Atlanta.
The incident that Alabama investigated and reported to the Southeastern Conference involved a spring fishing trip that was paid for by the Athens businessman, whom Alabama argued was not a booster.
The decision is based on on the condition of repayment by Jones and Ingram.
Here is the entire NCAA statement. ...
The NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff has reinstated the eligibility of University of Alabama football student-athletes Julio Jones and Mark Ingram based on a condition of repayment.
According to the facts of the case submitted by Alabama, the student-athletes received impermissible food, lodging, transportation and entertainment from an individual with whom one of the student-athletes had become acquainted prior to enrolling in college.
Consistent with NCAA membership requirements, the institution reported the violation and declared the student-athletes ineligible. As part of the reinstatement request, the institution required the student-athletes to make repayment of the value of the impermissible benefits to charity.
During the reinstatement process, the NCAA staff considers a number of factors including guidelines established by the NCAA Division I Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, relevant case precedent, the student-athlete's responsibility for the violation, as well as any mitigating factors presented by the institution
Posted by Don Kausler Jr. -- The Birmingham News September 02, 2009 7:00 PM
The NCAA has ruled that there was no rules violation in its review of an incident involving sophomore Alabama football stars Julio Jones and Mark Ingram and a 56-year-old Athens businessman. Alabama coach Nick Saban met with the news media after today's practice, but he was gone by the time the ruling was announced.
The NCAA announced its decision in a written statement sent out at 6:49 p.m.
By ruling there is no infraction, there will be no penalty, so Jones, a star wide receiver, and Ingram, the starting running back, are cleared to play Saturday in the fifth-ranked Crimson Tide's opener against seventh-ranked Virginia Tech in Atlanta.
The incident that Alabama investigated and reported to the Southeastern Conference involved a spring fishing trip that was paid for by the Athens businessman, whom Alabama argued was not a booster.
The decision is based on on the condition of repayment by Jones and Ingram.
Here is the entire NCAA statement. ...
The NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff has reinstated the eligibility of University of Alabama football student-athletes Julio Jones and Mark Ingram based on a condition of repayment.
According to the facts of the case submitted by Alabama, the student-athletes received impermissible food, lodging, transportation and entertainment from an individual with whom one of the student-athletes had become acquainted prior to enrolling in college.
Consistent with NCAA membership requirements, the institution reported the violation and declared the student-athletes ineligible. As part of the reinstatement request, the institution required the student-athletes to make repayment of the value of the impermissible benefits to charity.
During the reinstatement process, the NCAA staff considers a number of factors including guidelines established by the NCAA Division I Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, relevant case precedent, the student-athlete's responsibility for the violation, as well as any mitigating factors presented by the institution
Alabama's Jones, Ingram reinstated for clash with Hokies
Alabama's Jones, Ingram reinstated for clash with Hokies
Alabama's Jones, Ingram reinstated for clash with Hokies
Tuscaloosa, AL - The University of Alabama will have two of its key offensive players available Saturday against Virginia Tech for what is billed as the marquee matchup of college football's opening weekend.
The school learned Wednesday that sophomore wide receiver Julio Jones and sophomore running back Mark Ingram had their playing eligibility reinstated by the NCAA, according to The Tuscaloosa News.
The pair went on a fishing cruise in the spring and received what was deemed to be impermissible accommodations that was paid for by an outside party. Alabama investigated the matter, declared the players ineligible and appealed for reinstatement after forwarding the information on to Southeastern Conference officials. The reinstatement hinged on the condition the two players repay the cost of the trip.
Jones set every freshman receiving record in the Alabama annals in 2008, starting all 14 games and racking up a team-high 58 receptions for 924 yards and four touchdowns.
Ingram rushed for 728 yards on 143 carries with a school-record 12 touchdowns as a freshman last season. He is set to take over full-time duties in the Crimson Tide backfield with Glen Coffee having moved on the NFL's San Francisco 49ers.
The top-10 clash between fifth-ranked Alabama and seventh-ranked Virginia Tech is set for Saturday evening at the Georgia Dome.
Alabama's Jones, Ingram reinstated for clash with Hokies
Alabama's Jones, Ingram reinstated for clash with Hokies
Tuscaloosa, AL - The University of Alabama will have two of its key offensive players available Saturday against Virginia Tech for what is billed as the marquee matchup of college football's opening weekend.
The school learned Wednesday that sophomore wide receiver Julio Jones and sophomore running back Mark Ingram had their playing eligibility reinstated by the NCAA, according to The Tuscaloosa News.
The pair went on a fishing cruise in the spring and received what was deemed to be impermissible accommodations that was paid for by an outside party. Alabama investigated the matter, declared the players ineligible and appealed for reinstatement after forwarding the information on to Southeastern Conference officials. The reinstatement hinged on the condition the two players repay the cost of the trip.
Jones set every freshman receiving record in the Alabama annals in 2008, starting all 14 games and racking up a team-high 58 receptions for 924 yards and four touchdowns.
Ingram rushed for 728 yards on 143 carries with a school-record 12 touchdowns as a freshman last season. He is set to take over full-time duties in the Crimson Tide backfield with Glen Coffee having moved on the NFL's San Francisco 49ers.
The top-10 clash between fifth-ranked Alabama and seventh-ranked Virginia Tech is set for Saturday evening at the Georgia Dome.
So let me get this straight, if I'm not a "booster" I can "take care" of the kids and if we get caught then all they have to do is donate the money to charity.
Sure does seem like a loophole to me. FYI, I would have hated to see Jones suspended. I like watching good athletes and having them on the sideline does nothing for me as a fan of sports.
Sure does seem like a loophole to me. FYI, I would have hated to see Jones suspended. I like watching good athletes and having them on the sideline does nothing for me as a fan of sports.
It's a troublesome dilema as a fan, if you see a player on the street and you buy him lunch, does that violate the NCAA guidelines? How much is too much ? $7 at Wendy's or $30 -$50 + at a Steakhouse and fill the tank on his SUV? Step over the line or long jump it, those are the rules, they suck because the kids fatten the wallets of the Universities amd the NCAA, I'm not certain of the percentage that makes the NFL? But these two seem to be on their way. They know the rules, it's easier to hide a cheeseburger than it is to hide a fishing boat.
