The NCAA investigation into whether Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel profited from signing autographs concluded. On Wednesday, the NCAA and A&M announced Manziel will be suspended for the first half of the Aggies' season opener against Rice, ESPN reports.
Manziel's half-game suspension is the result of an "inadvertent violation" of NCAA rules, although no evidence was found that Manziel received any payment for signing autographs. The NCAA specifically cited the inadvertent violation of NCAA bylaw 12.5.2.1, which prohibits student-athletes from allowing their names or likenesses to be used for commercial purposes.
Despite not finding any evidence of Manziel accepting payment, the NCAA argued Manziel should have known better than to sign hundreds of autographs at one time.
Manziel's attorneys said he accepted the suspension in order to close investigation and move on with the football season, which begins on Saturday against Rice. Unless new information is discovered, Manziel autograph saga is over.
"If additional information comes to light, the NCAA will review and consider if further action is appropriate," the NCAA said in a joint statement, via ESPN. "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 [Kevin] Sumlin and Johnny handled this situation with integrity and honest," A&M chancellor John Sharp said in the statement. "We all take the Aggie Code of Honor very seriously, and there is no evidence that either the university or Johnny violated that code."
ESPN reported earlier in August that the NCAA was investigating whether Manziel was paid thousands of dollars for signing more than 4,000 items for autograph brokers. If the investigation discovered this to be true, Manziel's college eligibility would be at risk.
The Aggies start their season on Saturday against Rice. Although Manziel is suspended the first half, it's uncertain if he will play at all in the game.
