At long last, additional details have begun to emerge about Dez Bryant‘s suspension for the rest of the 2009 season.
At first blush, it seemed as if the soon-to-officially-be former Oklahoma State wide receiver was suspended for simply lying to NCAA investigators about a meeting with Deion Sanders. Now comes word that a secondary violation was committed during the course of Bryant’s relationship with Sanders, which could’ve played a part in such a harsh punishment for the receiver.
According to the Daily Oklahoman, Bryant violated NCAA bylaws by jogging with Sanders at a workout facility and not paying what typical members of the public would pay for the same usage.
The NCAA found that Bryant violated bylaw 12.1.2.1.6, which deals with preferential treatment, benefits or services. Athletes who violate that bylaw are required to repay the value of the benefit to a charity of their choice.
In a rules “interpretation request” sent by OSU to the NCAA, the school said use of the indoor turf by any member of the public would cost $140 per hour. The school also said Sanders and Bryant said they “jogged around” on the turf during their one-hour visit to the facility, that there was no football equipment used and that they were the only ones on the turf during that time.
The NCAA ultimately accepted OSU’s argument that Bryant was only responsible for paying half of the $140. It’s unclear, the paper reports, whether Bryant has paid the $70 to a charity.
Of course, the fact Bryant has already decided to make himself available for the 2010 NFL draft -- and the group cost him the final nine games of his final collegiate season -- makes it seem highly unlikely that the receiver would give a flip about making good on NCAA-mandated restitution.
