Odell Beckham linked to LSU football violation allegations

The football portion of NCAA’s investigation into LSU was in the final stages of completion, and then Odell Beckham handed out about $2,000 worth of $100 bills on the Superdome field after the LSU Tigers won the national title in 2019. NCAAhas now reopened the football investigation.

“It is alleged that, in January 2020, Odell Beckham Jr. (Beckham), a representative of the institution’s athletic interests and former football student-athlete, provided approximately $2,000 in impermissible benefits to four student-athletes following the January 13, 2020, College Football Playoff National Championship game. Specifically, Beckham provided $800 and $500 in cash to student-athletes 1 and 2, respectively, while on the field immediately following the game. In addition, that same night , at a club in New Orleans, Beckham provided student-athletes 3 and 4 with $500 and $200 in cash, respectively,” a NCAA statement read.

The four players have not been identified, and this incident spans from another incident in which John Paul Funes “provided impermissible benefits in the form of arranging employment for the parents of a then football student athlete, Vadal Alexander” from Feb. 2012-Jan. 2017. The student athlete allegedly received compensation from the parents’ “unperformed work.”

These allegations came to light Saturday afternoon following the firing of LSU basketball coach Will Wade for several high-level NCAA violations.

Odell Beckham Jr. addresses controversies with previous teams

Time and time again, Odell Beckham Jr. made the news during his previous tenures — mostly in a negative light. He addressed these occurrences during his media appearance Monday in preparation for Super Bowl 56 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“You realize that you’re carrying other people’s problems. It’s weighing you down,” Beckham Jr. said. The Rams wide receiver emphasized that he felt like he was caught up during his previous tenures with the Browns and Giants that he was trying to prove people wrong. Says he’s in a better place now all-around.

Beckham’s tenure with the Browns was filled with inconsistency, injuries, and frustration, and Cleveland looked to find a new home for Beckham before the trade deadline. They were ultimately unable to find a suitable trade, however, so the Browns released him. When the LSU product cleared waivers, he became an unrestricted free agent.

Beckham looked the part of a three-time Pro Bowl selection in his time with the New York Giants, bursting onto the scene with 91 receptions, 1,305 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in just 12 games his rookie season and winning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.

In March of 2019, Beckham was traded to the Browns and hasn’t been the same player since. His 1,300-plus yard rookie season with the Giants was followed by a 1,450-yard sophomore campaign, and a 1,367-yard third year, and all three of those totals come close to the 1,586 yards he tallied over three seasons with the Browns.