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Bryant appeal denied
The star OSU receiver tells ESPN that he will enter the NFL draft.

Dez Bryant is projected to be a first-round draft pick in the NFL draft. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World

 
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 11/6/2009  2:27 AM
Last Modified: 11/6/2009  5:57 AM

 The NCAA's Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee has denied Oklahoma State's appeal to have Dez Bryant reinstated.

The announcement was made on Thursday one day after Bryant's 21st birthday.

With OSU's Scott Williams reporting that there are no underlying issues, the Bryant investigation apparently has been completed. Williams is OSU's associate athletic director for compliance.

Williams indicated that OSU does not expect to be hit with significant sanctions separate from the one-year suspension imposed upon Bryant, an All-American junior wide receiver.

Although he could return to the Cowboys as a senior next year, Bryant reportedly has begun preparation for the 2010 NFL draft. Bryant was quoted in an ESPN.com article that he will enter next April's draft.

"I feel this is the best decision for me," Bryant said. "It's what God wants me to do. I'm going to start my training Tuesday in Tampa (Fla.)."

Before the season began with OSU's Sept. 5 win over Georgia, the NCAA expressed concern that Bryant might have compromised his eligibility during offseason meetings with former NFL star Deion Sanders. Bryant played in three games this season victories over Georgia and Rice, and a loss to Houston.

Williams indicated that OSU does not expect to be forced to vacate its victories over Georgia and Rice.

Williams acknowledged that OSU did commit a secondary, inadvertent violation the game participation of a player who later admitted
to having lied to the NCAA. A violation report will be processed with the NCAA, Williams indicated, and any possible penalties likely would be minor.

When OSU's first three games were played, a source said, school officials were not aware that Bryant had lied to the NCAA. On Oct. 7, OSU officials learned that Bryant had committed a potential violation by lying in previous NCAA interview settings. That same day, OSU suspended Bryant indefinitely.

On Oct. 27, the NCAA announced that Bryant's suspension would be extended until September 2010. OSU filed an appeal for reinstatement, and on Thursday it was denied.

During interviews with the NCAA, Bryant was asked about his interaction with Sanders, who is associated with prominent sports agent Eugene Parker. NCAA rules prohibit student-athletes from entering into any type of agreement with a sports agent until their eligibility has been exhausted.

Sanders says he did not attempt to foster a Bryant-Parker relationship. Sanders maintains that he only served as a mentor to the Cowboy receiver.

Bryant was interviewed by the NCAA on three occasions (twice in Stillwater and once in Indianapolis). On each occasion, the NCAA reported last week, Bryant was accompanied by an attorney.

An NCAA spokeswoman wrote this in e-mail to ESPN.com: "In fact, at one point during (Bryant's) first interview, he was allowed to step outside with his attorney to converse and was then reminded again of his obligation to be truthful when he came back on the record."

While determining what Bryant's punishment would be, the NCAA explained, these factors were considered:

Whether Bryant "actively and deliberately concealed, omitted or provided inaccurate or false information."

Whether he "had multiple opportunities to correct or provide the accurate information."

Whether he "provided inaccurate or false information to the NCAA enforcement or amateurism certification staff."

On Sept. 2, in an e-mail addressed to OSU, the NCAA wrote, "It is the institution's responsibility to certify the eligibility of its student-athletes and, in the present case, the institution ultimately must feel comfortable that Mr. Bryant is eligible to compete. . . . The AGA staff (the NCAA's Agent, Gambling and Amateurism staff) has concerns that the student-athlete may have jeopardized his eligibility."

Bryant played in only 28 college games but ranks No. 4 on OSU's career lists for total receptions (147) and receiving yards (2,425). Bryant had 29 touchdown catches, sharing the No. 2 spot on that career list with Hart Lee Dykes. Rashaun Woods is the leader with 42.

Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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68 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "OSU's Dez Bryant loses final appeal," which was published on 11/5/2009.
Report Comment
Scott Smith, Tulsa (11/5/2009 1:11:46 PM)
Boycott the NCAA. Perhaps Dez should have suckerpunched or gouged an eye, then he'd have only been out a few games.
Report Comment
FIRE GUNDY, TULSA (11/6/2009 8:13:31 AM)
True TK1!
Report Comment
calloy, T-town (11/5/2009 4:12:31 PM)
i hope you like detroit, dez.
Report Comment
pokes06, NE Oklahoma (11/5/2009 7:51:17 PM)
Rance- Thats how the Gooners think, Not us poke fans.
Report Comment
FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/5/2009 6:13:17 PM)
The season is done for Dez.
Report Comment
Rance, Gore (11/5/2009 1:04:04 PM)
I can already hear it ..."The NCAA is why we didn't beat OU in 2009". " if we would have had Dez we would have won".The only place that Oklahoma State is any good is in the Tulsa World..The rest of the country thinks you are just another mediocore Big 12 team..
Report Comment
JCash, Tulsa (11/5/2009 12:47:35 PM)
NCAA has got to go.

They help how?
Report Comment
Ignatz, A nice place where Democrats hold every office in the County. (11/5/2009 12:49:44 PM)
Assuming he made his apology to the NCAA, gave full disclosure about his contacts with Sanders and the disclosure revealed no violations then this punishment is too severe.A three game suspension, maybe.Ole Dez isn't too bright as indicated in interviews and his dumbness should also have been taken into consideration.
Report Comment
Alan Shore, (11/6/2009 6:32:36 AM)
Moral of the story: Do NOT lie...
Report Comment
PIRANA, Tulsa (11/5/2009 12:35:13 PM)
FIRST ROUND PICK PEOPLE!!! MOVE ON
Report Comment
TK1, (11/5/2009 12:37:17 PM)
Reggie Bush
.............
for President
.............
of the NCAA
Report Comment
TK1, (11/5/2009 1:09:28 PM)
DBJohn,

Have you ever heard of the term, precedent? or that the punishment should fit the crime?

I guess in your book any infraction should require a minimum 1 year suspension, right?

Are there actions that are more severe than lying about an action that was not a rules violation? If so, what should the penalty be for those actions, something more than a 1 year suspension? If so, then there should be a long history of the NCAA providing consistent dispensation of such punishments.

Do a little research, this is an extraordinary turn for the NCAA based on their past rulings. Isn't it fair to want to know why they are moving in this direction and whether they will continue to rule based on this precedent.
Report Comment
TK1, (11/6/2009 8:11:14 AM)
Moral of the story--If you're going to play college football, play it at USC.
Report Comment
TK1, (11/6/2009 11:18:19 AM)
Steff,

How nice for the NCAA that they have created a justice system that allows them to mete out punishment on what they believe rather than what they can prove. I think you have captured it accurately. Makes you wonder what they believe happened in the Reggie Bush situation and why they haven't acted with USC.
Report Comment
pilker, Tulsa (11/5/2009 12:25:43 PM)
DBJohn ~ If they were consistant I might follow the logic, but far worse offenses have been made and lesser penalties have been doled out ... maybe if they would have paid him money, he'd graduate before they even talked of an investgation?
Report Comment
aedane, Tulsa (11/5/2009 5:05:46 PM)
Here is what I don't understand. Why aren't there standard punishments? They could vary in degree for each violation. Clearly, the NCAA needs some kind of direction. It's crap that it is totally up to their discretion. I know they can still make the same poor decision when a school/player appeals, but at least they will know the punishment up front. I am a HUGE OSU fan (and alum) and I am really disappointed in this decision. I know that what Dez did was wrong, it just seems to be a really harsh punishment.
Report Comment
CrippledShark, San Antonio (11/5/2009 12:29:41 PM)
I have a strong suspicion that Dez didn't try real hard to get reinstated. After all, he will be a first round draft pick and will have millions of dollars thrown at him.

This kid is not Sam Bradford, he knows what injuries can do to a career and he might love OSU but he really loves CASH!!!!!!!!!

Go get em' Dez.... Here's hoping that you become a Dallas Cowboy.

CS
Report Comment
forkandknife, Tulsa (11/5/2009 1:05:59 PM)
Liar got what was coming to him, I hope this mistake is just not a career ending one for him.
Report Comment
Corvetteguy, Tulsa (11/5/2009 12:26:53 PM)
Message to gifted young football players...

Stay away from Neon-Deion
Report Comment
Corvetteguy, Tulsa (11/5/2009 1:35:18 PM)
TulsaComment,

good comment...
Report Comment
Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (11/6/2009 6:46:09 AM)
I think the whole thing was a big conspiracy perpetrated by the man....
Report Comment
nunyerbisness, Tulsa (11/5/2009 1:05:09 PM)
DBJohn, Tulsa DB how many people have to tell you until you get that you are WRONG?

I understand you get a woody by being literal, but get a clue will ya?
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (11/6/2009 9:35:10 AM)
See you in the NFL Dez.
Report Comment
hat trick, (11/5/2009 4:27:38 PM)
Is it possible to get the names of the board members who vote on these issues? Are they judge -jury @ executioner?
Report Comment
hat trick, (11/5/2009 4:33:45 PM)
Hey Deion What's for dinner ? Maybe Deion should be put on the NCAA "NO CONTACT" list
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