UPDATE: NFL spokesman Greg Aiello clarified the league's position via Twitter on Thursday night, writing: "On Pryor, we are not enforcing NCAA rules. We are upholding our own eligibility rules, which have never been based on the notion that... ..a college player could choose to violate NCAA rules, obtain declaration that he is ineligible for college fb, then enter the NFL draft."
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The NFL has rendered its verdict on former Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor ... actually multiple verdicts.
The league announced Thursday morning that Pryor will be eligible for its supplemental draft, now scheduled for Monday.
However, Commissioner Roger Goodell has also decided that Pryor will be ineligible for the first five regular-season games of the 2011 season; the quarterback also cannot practice during that period though he can participate in the preseason if drafted.
Before the lockout was resolved, many NFL players were bridling at the power Goodell is able to wield in terms of player discipline. A few have new weighed in on Pryor's case.
Bears S Chris Harris�tweeted:
"So I'm curious. When did college suspensions start to carry over into the NFL? #WhatIMiss ... After saying that is the NFL gonna go back n suspend current players n the league who violated NCAA rules while in college? ... So is it fair to say the NCAA is minor league football?"
Cardinals K Jay Feely�retweeted Harris' comments and added: "What NFL rules did (Pryor) break?"
Pryor was initially slated for a five-game suspension to start the Buckeyes' 2011 season until he later opted to leave the school (subsequent to the NFL's 2011 draft) and was ultimately banned from Columbus, leaving scandal and controversy in his wake after selling memorabilia and accepting improper benefits.
"I know players are concerned about the message this sends," said Browns LB Scott Fujita, a member of the players' executive committee. "Granted, making this 'deal' was an individual decision made by a player with counsel from his agent and lawyer. They have every right to make whatever deal they want for his personal future. That being said, the general concern now is how far into Pandora's box this may go.
"This raises so many questions, and I think players are rightfully concerned."
The NFL distributed the following comments in a press release:
"In addition to being notified that Terrelle Pryor may be selected in the supplemental draft, NFL clubs were informed that Pryor made decisions that undermine the integrity of the eligibility rules for the NFL draft. Those actions included failing to cooperate with the NCAA and hiring an agent in violation of NCAA rules. This resulted in Ohio State declaring him ineligible to continue playing college football. Pryor then applied to enter the NFL after the regular draft.
The decision seems to illustrate an added level of cooperation between the NFL and NCAA a day after NCAA president Mark Emmert�said on ESPN Radio that he has been in conversations with the league about some of the eligibility issues swirling around college athletes.
Pryor's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, tells PFT his client will not appeal the suspension.
Pryor passed for 2,772 yards and 27 TDs in 2010 while running for 754 yards and four scores.
He will hold a pro day in Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Five other players will also be available next Monday: Western Carolina DB Torez Jones, Georgia RB Caleb King, Lindenwood DE Keenan Mace, North Carolina DE Mike McAdoo and Northern Illinois DB Tracy Wilson.
The supplemental draft was initially scheduled for Aug. 17 but was postponed while the league sorted out Pryor's situation.
Source: http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/UsatodaycomSports-TopStories/~3/w21112PTZbc/1
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