LSU defensive tackle Anthony Johnson's status on the team remains in good standing despite a Sports Illustrated report Tuesday that the sophomore could have broken NCAA rules by allowing his image and a video he appeared in promote a party last spring in Baton Rouge.
"Based on what we know, there is no reason to believe Anthony Johnson's eligibility was compromised," LSU associate athletics director and vice-chancellor Herb Vincent said Tuesday.
Former LSU star player Tyrann Mathieu also might have broken NCAA rules by appearing in videos and letting his image be on flyers to promote a party at The Palace nightclub in Baton Rouge last March 10 as well as other parties.
Mathieu, a junior who was dismissed from the program in August after multiple positive tests for marijuana but who remains enrolled at LSU, is pictured twice in his LSU jersey in a flyer for the March 10 party and listed as a party host as is Johnson. SI also reported through multiple persons who wished to remain anonymous that Mathieu received benefits at The Palace, including free access to the VIP area and free admission for himself and LSU teammates.
Mathieu was contacted by WVUE-TV in New Orleans and called the Sports Illustrated story "ridiculous."
Former LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne is also pictured on the flyer and listed as a host, but Claiborne finished his LSU career January 9 in the BCS title game game and declared for the NFL draft well before March 10.
According to Sports Illustrated, Johnson denied involvement in the party, and Claiborne — a first-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in April — said he knew of the party but did not attend.
NCAA rule 12.5.2.1 says that any student-athlete who "accepts any remuneration or permits the use of his or her name or picture to advertise, recommend or promote directly the sale or use of a commercial product or service of any kind" is ineligible.
If Johnson, who has played in every game this season, is found ineligible, LSU could have to eventually forfeit the wins in which he played. The Tigers are 6-1 on the season, 2-1 in the Southeastern Conference, and No. 6 in the first Bowl Championship Series rankings released Sunday. LSU plays at Texas A&M on Saturday.
Johnson was interviewed by LSU's compliance office Monday when LSU first learned of the alleged promoted parties when told of them by Sports Illustrated, Vincent said.
"We've talked to Anthony, and he told us he was unaware that they had used his image to promote the party," Vincent said. "He also said he asked them to take down the flyer at the time. He said he appeared in a video rapping, but he wasn't aware it would be used to promote a party."
Vincent also said the incidents discussed in the SI story would likely be considered secondary violations by the NCAA. He said the school was preparing a cease-and-desist letter that would be sent to The Palace concerning future use of the flyers and videos for promotion of events.
Mathieu, a Heisman Trophy finalist last season as a spectacular defensive back/kick returner who earned the iconic nickname "Honey Badger" for his penchant for creating turnovers, also appeared in a number of online videos promoting other parties at clubs and he appeared on a flyer for a Jan. 14, 2012, party at Club H2O in New Orleans, Sports Illustrated reported.
Should Mathieu still desire to return to the LSU team, he now has two eligiblity issues to confront — one involving LSU's substance abuse policy and the other his eligibility under NCAA rule 12.5.2.1.
"We're not talking about his potential return to the team," Vincent said.
"Based on what we know, there is no reason to believe Anthony Johnson's eligibility was compromised," LSU associate athletics director and vice-chancellor Herb Vincent said Tuesday.
Former LSU star player Tyrann Mathieu also might have broken NCAA rules by appearing in videos and letting his image be on flyers to promote a party at The Palace nightclub in Baton Rouge last March 10 as well as other parties.
Mathieu, a junior who was dismissed from the program in August after multiple positive tests for marijuana but who remains enrolled at LSU, is pictured twice in his LSU jersey in a flyer for the March 10 party and listed as a party host as is Johnson. SI also reported through multiple persons who wished to remain anonymous that Mathieu received benefits at The Palace, including free access to the VIP area and free admission for himself and LSU teammates.
Mathieu was contacted by WVUE-TV in New Orleans and called the Sports Illustrated story "ridiculous."
Former LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne is also pictured on the flyer and listed as a host, but Claiborne finished his LSU career January 9 in the BCS title game game and declared for the NFL draft well before March 10.
According to Sports Illustrated, Johnson denied involvement in the party, and Claiborne — a first-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in April — said he knew of the party but did not attend.
NCAA rule 12.5.2.1 says that any student-athlete who "accepts any remuneration or permits the use of his or her name or picture to advertise, recommend or promote directly the sale or use of a commercial product or service of any kind" is ineligible.
If Johnson, who has played in every game this season, is found ineligible, LSU could have to eventually forfeit the wins in which he played. The Tigers are 6-1 on the season, 2-1 in the Southeastern Conference, and No. 6 in the first Bowl Championship Series rankings released Sunday. LSU plays at Texas A&M on Saturday.
Johnson was interviewed by LSU's compliance office Monday when LSU first learned of the alleged promoted parties when told of them by Sports Illustrated, Vincent said.
"We've talked to Anthony, and he told us he was unaware that they had used his image to promote the party," Vincent said. "He also said he asked them to take down the flyer at the time. He said he appeared in a video rapping, but he wasn't aware it would be used to promote a party."
Vincent also said the incidents discussed in the SI story would likely be considered secondary violations by the NCAA. He said the school was preparing a cease-and-desist letter that would be sent to The Palace concerning future use of the flyers and videos for promotion of events.
Mathieu, a Heisman Trophy finalist last season as a spectacular defensive back/kick returner who earned the iconic nickname "Honey Badger" for his penchant for creating turnovers, also appeared in a number of online videos promoting other parties at clubs and he appeared on a flyer for a Jan. 14, 2012, party at Club H2O in New Orleans, Sports Illustrated reported.
Should Mathieu still desire to return to the LSU team, he now has two eligiblity issues to confront — one involving LSU's substance abuse policy and the other his eligibility under NCAA rule 12.5.2.1.
"We're not talking about his potential return to the team," Vincent said.
