LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, who was kicked off the team for failing a drug test but has re-enrolled in school after a stint at a drug rehabilitation center, might have violated NCAA rules by promoting a night club while he was still a member of the team.
Sports Illustrated reported that Mathieu appeared in a video made by a group of his friends that goes by the name Era Nation in which he promotes a party at a Baton Rouge club called The Palace on March 10 of this year.
His pictures were also on fliers promoting the event called ”Era Nation Album Release Party For Tyran Mathieu.” The flier also featured photographs of former LSU star Mo Claiborne, now with the Dallas Cowboys, and current LSU defensive tackle Anthony Johnson.
NCAA rules prohibit student-athletes from allowing their names or pictures to be used in advertising the sale of a product or service.
LSU spokesman Michael Bonnette said the school is aware of the promotional material with Johnson’s photograph, but does not believe he committed an NCAA violation.
”We are comfortable that Anthony did not know about it,” Bonnette said.
Claiborne was done playing for LSU at the time the flier was distributed. As it turns out, so was Mathieu. But he re-enrolled in classes at LSU with the hope that he will get to b
Coach Les Miles said at the time that there was no guaranteed Mathieu would be reinstated. Now, while he has not made a commitment, Miles did not rule it out. Sort of.
“I think that this is a very legitimate chance that he would have a happy ending,” he said. “I think the point of degree, and the point of handling your business and making sure everything is right and correct, and getting your feet on the ground — I think that that is a tremendously happy ending.”
He was dismissed from the LSU football team in August for failing a drug test, and entered a treatment program run by former NBA player John Lucas.
Instead of transferring to another lower-division school to play this season, Mathieu re-enrolled at LSU but is not playing football.
Any NCAA issues could affect his ability to return to football with LSU or another school next season
