College Station, TX – Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel reportedly met with NCAA investigators on Sunday to discuss allegations that the Heisman Trophy winner may have accepted money from autograph brokers for signing memorabilia.
According to ESPN.com, Manziel spent nearly six hours with NCAA officials at Texas A&M's campus in College Station.
ESPN had previously reported that the NCAA was investigating whether Manziel received compensation for signing autographs at different locations, including South Florida while attending last January's BCS National Championship Game.
A CBSSports.com report on Tuesday cited a source close to the situation as saying Manziel told the NCAA he did not accept money for the signing sessions.
Manziel's eligibility could come into question as the seventh-ranked Aggies open their season Saturday against Rice. If Manziel plays and the NCAA later determines he was ineligible, the Aggies would forfeit those games.
A&M athletic director Eric Hyman released a statement Tuesday morning, prior to the Aggies' game-week player and coach press conferences, saying the school would not comment on Manziel's playing status.
"The focus of our coaches and student-athletes is solely on preparing for Rice this Saturday," said Hyman in the statement, "and in the best interests of Texas A&M and the 100-plus student-athletes on the team, I have instructed Coach (Kevin) Sumlin, his staff and our student-athletes to refrain from commenting on or answering questions regarding the status of our starting quarterback, Johnny Manziel."
Manziel was the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy last year when he accounted for 47 touchdowns, while helping the Aggies to an 11-2 record.
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