Getty Image / Alika Jenner
Odell Beckham Jr., better known as OBJ, was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He played three seasons at LSU and went off his Junior year for 1,152 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns which helped him become the #12 draft pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He was a stud in the SEC and he’s been a 3x Pro Bowler since then.
OBJ was in New Orleans for the 2020 College Football National Championship where the Louisiana State University Tigers battled back from an early deficit against Clemson to win the game 24-42. Along the way, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow set the record for most TDs in a season with 60 TD passes.
After the game, OBJ was filmed passing out cash to LSU players which is 100% something the NCAA is going to take notice of. Was he settling a bet? Was this fake cash? Does it matter at all because those players are likely to leave LSU? Were there rules broken just by handing someone money or does it matter if they handed the cash back to him? Would this have been an issue at all in California where players are allowed to get paid now?
There are a lot of questions. Check the clip via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/volblood/status/1217069578351775744?s=21
OBJ qui distribue les billets à tout-va après la victoire de LSU… vous en pensez quoi ? @TDActu #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/RQH6zZA16G
— MorganLagreeTBP (@MorganLagreeTBP) January 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/MorganLagreeTBP/status/1217017002423988224
UPDATE: LSU is now saying it was ‘fake money’ according to reports
And Just In…LSU says Odell money was fake money…. https://t.co/QNomvvU2h6
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 14, 2020
An LSU official has reportedly told The Advocate “the money was not real” and LSU head coach Ed Orgergon was asked about it at a press conference where he added that it was the first he was hearing about the cash (fake cash?).
Ed Orgeron asked about OBJ passing out cash to #LSU players after the game. Said it was first he heard about it. Patrick Queen said he didn't get any.
Developing story, to be sure. But I figure any players who got money will give it back and that will be it.— Scott Rabalais (@RabalaisAdv) January 14, 2020
“No sir, I did not see that,” Queen said. “First I’m hearing about it,” Orgeron said. (via)
I have absolutely zero qualms with players getting paid. I’m 100% for it. I am concerned that OBJ knew what he was doing was wrong and/or against the rules and potentially fucked up some sort of eligibility for any players out there with this clip.
Twitter users were quick to point out the potential for an NCAA violation here….
Holy crap that HAS to be an NCAA violation. @NCAA
— Dr. BB (@DoctorRollo) January 14, 2020
Hey NCAA if this was Miami we’d be getting death threats.. wtf is this
— Kevin Kelley 🇧🇷 (@KevinKelley918) January 14, 2020
NCAA be like pic.twitter.com/3QQ9VtaZAM
— Swindeazy 🏴☠️ (@swindeazy) January 14, 2020
Wonder if this cash was from charity too?
— Buckeyes Crootin' 🅾️ (@BuckeyesCrootin) January 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/cearley0812/status/1217085629353381888
https://twitter.com/_juicemia/status/1217086799098662912
Looked like settling a bet.
— Shawnee🎀 (@shawneescissom) January 14, 2020
Both of those guys are juniors, so I assume they’re both going to the draft?
— BoozingAg (@BoozingAg) January 14, 2020
— CodeyWanKenobi (@CodeyWanKenobi) January 14, 2020
What’s the player supposed to do? Odell Beckham Jr., one of your team’s most famous players from recent history, is standing there and tries to hand you cash. Are you just supposed to throw up your hands and say ‘nah’?! No, you just take it because you’re pretty shocked to be meeting him in the first place.