LSU launches probe after players potentially violated NCAA rules by taking cash from ex-Tigers star Odell Beckham Jr. after national title win
- Louisiana State University's football team won the NCAA national championship with a 42-25 victory over Clemson at the Superdome in New Orleans on Monday
- LSU contacted the NCAA and Southeastern Conference about Browns star Odell Beckham Jr.'s apparent cash payments Tigers players following Monday's win
- A school said initial information suggested that Beckham, an LSU alum, handed out 'novelty bills' to players after the Tigers beat the defending champions
- Further investigation showed that Beckham may have given away real money
- The NCAA prohibits players receiving cash benefits while playing college sports
- LSU quarterback Joe Burrow said it appeared to him that Beckham was handing out actual cash: 'I'm not a student-athlete anymore, so I can say yeah'
LSU alum Odell Beckham Jr. may have given cash to Tigers players after the national title win over Clemson on Monday in New Orleans
Louisiana State University has contacted officials from the NCAA and Southeastern Conference about Cleveland Browns receiver odell beckham jr.'s apparent cash payments to Heisman-winning quarterback Joe Burrow and other Tigers players on the field after the national championship game, a university spokesman said.
Videos posted on social media showed Beckham placing money in the hand of Tigers receiver Justin Jefferson and celebrating with players in LSU's locker room in the Superdome.
LSU athletics spokesman Michael Bonnette said initial information suggested that Beckham handed out 'novelty bills' to players after the top-ranked Tigers defeated Clemson on Monday night.
However, further investigation showed that Beckham may have given away real money, Bonnette said.
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Beckham was seen pulling a stack of bills out of his pocket and handing a few to Jontre Kirklin
'Information and footage reviewed since shows apparent cash may have also been given to LSU student-athletes,' Bonnette said in a statement.
'We were in contact with the NCAA and the SEC immediately upon learning of this situation in which some of our student-athletes may have been placed in a compromising position. We are working with our student-athletes, the NCAA and the SEC in order to rectify the situation.'
Burrow, who has exhausted his college eligibility and is expected to be a top NFL draft choice this year, said on a Barstool Sports podcast that it appeared to him Beckham was handing out actual cash.
'I'm not a student-athlete anymore, so I can say yeah,' Burrow said on 'Pardon My Take.'
The NCAA does not allow players to receive cash benefits while playing college football. Those rules are designed to prevent institutions from luring talent through the promise of direct or indirect payments.
Beckham starred for LSU from 2011 to 2013 and was a first-round draft pick by the New York Giants. He was traded to Cleveland before last season, although reports have suggested he has been unhappy with the Browns.
Jefferson, who just completed his junior season, is eligible to turn pro and enter this spring's NFL draft.
LSU alum Odell Beckham Jr. celebrates in the locker room with Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow
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