Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant will not have his eligibility restored this season, the NCAA announced Tuesday night. Bryant, a preseason All-American, was suspended four weeks ago by Oklahoma State after the school learned he had lied to the NCAA about a meeting with former NFL star Deion Sanders. The NCAA later ruled him ineligible Oct. 7.
"I made a mistake by not being entirely truthful when meeting with the NCAA," Bryant said in a statement at the time. I sincerely regret my mistake and apologize to my teammates, coaches, OSU fans and the NCAA."
Oklahoma State is appealing the ruling and expects a decision next week.
Bryant's eligibility will be restored by the NCAA next September, though the junior is expected to be among the first wide receivers selected in the NFL Draft.
The NCAA accused Bryant with violating bylaw 10.1, which deals with "unethical conduct," including "knowingly furnishing the NCAA or the individual's institution false or misleading information concerning the individual's involvement in or knowledge of matters relevant to a possible violation of an NCAA regulation."
For the Cowboys, the ruling couldn't come at a worse time. Oklahoma State faces Big 12 South favorite Texas this weekend in Stillwater, Okla.
Bryant caught 17 receptions for 323 yards and four touchdowns in four games this season. He caught 87 passes for 1,480 yards and 19 touchdowns a year ago.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-27-2009 @ 10:26PM
daylejames said...
NCAA should be on suspension for ruining a players life because he lied to them. Sounds like a bunch of kids. (or a district attorney) You need to grow up. Suspend your own kids life for a year because he lied to you. Get real. I quit watching pro because of money. Now I quit watching college because of idiots (NCAA). GROW UP
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10-27-2009 @ 10:30PM
daylejames said...
Life without parole or DEATH penalty is not avaliable for LYING. YET
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10-27-2009 @ 10:34PM
Stephen Boyd said...
pathetic abuse of power by the ncaa. they should be ashamed.
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10-27-2009 @ 10:56PM
Piket21 said...
This is devastating but, why punish someone by suspending him for the rest of the year. What!!! Because he lied that's really justifed. The NCAA really pissed me off with their suspensions this isn't the pros and he didn't kill or hit anybody. Seriously WTF.
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10-28-2009 @ 7:55PM
advtim2000 said...
You okies have no shame. Lying is OK-lahoma.
10-27-2009 @ 11:22PM
Steve said...
Maybe now he'll realize he's accountable for his actions and he's not above rules and regulations.
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10-27-2009 @ 11:30PM
fgs1010 said...
Come on, a lying on one issue? This is excessive, plain and simple. This is clearly an abuse of power. The NCAA needs to get real. You can suspend half the players in D-1. I think former OU player Brian Bosworth was correct years ago when he called them the National Communist Against Athletes.
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10-27-2009 @ 11:51PM
greatonenonly said...
Because he lied that's really justifed. The NCAA really pissed me off with their suspensions this isn't the pros and he didn't kill or hit anybody
Thanks for the laugh
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10-28-2009 @ 12:28AM
rmoore68 said...
If they knew how many lies were told to get these
players to these colleges, We wouldn't have ncaa
football season. Everybody would be suspended.
schools, coaches, scouts! What a joke
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10-28-2009 @ 12:28AM
mtrentonfellow said...
this is totally ridiculous. come on NCAA he wasn't talking to Deion about his agent.
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10-28-2009 @ 1:31AM
gonzo1 said...
there rules to be followed , this guy is getting a free ride at tax payer expense to attend college . the college experience is being used as a spring board to try and gain access to professional sports. an overwhelming percentage of guys like him never make it to the pros . then want to cry and complain that they did'nt get an education . things like this are no one's fault but the " student athlete's " ( and i use the term student loosely) . break the rules and i say forefit your scholorship entirely . if you still want to play YOU must pay your own way , period. and if you want " an education " go to class and do the work yourself .
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10-28-2009 @ 1:59AM
rafael said...
Liar liar pants on fire
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10-28-2009 @ 2:04AM
rafael said...
oh boy
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10-28-2009 @ 3:40AM
rlbrooks726 said...
From what I've read, the meeting with Deion Sanders wasn't even a violation of NCAA rules. The kid lied because he was scared...who hasn't done that? To suspend him for the entire season is ridiculous. Make the punishment fit the crime. BTW when is the NCAA going to take action against Rich "The Cheater" Rodriguez at Michigan? Current and former players have said that Michigan coaches require them to practice more than the amount of time permitted by the NCAA. Also, is the NCAA investigating the rumors about RichRod and a certain WVU cheerleader? No, they'd rather take a whole season away from a kid who dared lie to them.
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10-28-2009 @ 7:06AM
boomer said...
the boz was right many years ago : NCAA = National Communists Against Athletes . i quit donating to my alma mater years ago .
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10-28-2009 @ 7:07AM
jpn4265 said...
This is only one of many examples of the abuse of power that the NCAA has. Its time to form a new organization to over see college sports. The NCAA is completely out of control.
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10-28-2009 @ 7:53AM
Daryl said...
the kid did have the option of telling the truth.Granted a one year suspension is harsh but dont forget, he willingly lied to the governing body,which was a choice he made by himself.try telling a lie under oath in a courtroom and see what happens.there is a slight chance he may learn a life lesson from this.
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10-28-2009 @ 7:55AM
wayne hooper said...
Why did he lie?
Would the penalty for telling the truth been worse?
Didn't he have guidence from the coach or school?
Something's fishy here.There's more that we don't know!
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10-28-2009 @ 8:02AM
channelok2 said...
Going to school on a free ride ...Please this is big business have you looked at the full stands ...Major money is being made ..and yes he was a kid who got scared and told a lie ..suspend him one game ..he learns his lesson ..not the whole season ...NCAA Sucks ...Heil NCAAAAAAAAAAAAA
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10-28-2009 @ 9:49AM
redross said...
The one who really sucks is slimeball Deion. I wish he would just leave these youngsters alone and quit trying to get a share of their pie. What a dirtbag, always was and always will be.
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