USC's Byrd Suspended Four Games By NCAA

University of South Carolina freshman wide receiver Damiere Byrd has received a four-game suspension from the NCAA, according to the university's athletics media relations office.

As part of the suspension, Byrd must repay benefits he received from the Student Athletes Mentoring program in order to become eligible to play again.

“While we respect the process, we are very disappointed for Damiere,” said Athletics Director Eric Hyman. “Damiere is an outstanding individual and has been upfront with us as to what occurred during the recruiting process. He had no idea that being part of the Student Athlete Mentoring (SAM) Foundation would in any way affect his college eligibility. We continue to support him and will carefully consider appealing this decision.”

The SAM Foundation is a Delaware-based organization that provides underprivileged, inner-city athletes with help in getting scholarship offers and meeting academic eligibility requirements.

Byrd sat out the season opener against East Carolina, and will also be sidelined for the Georgia, Navy and Vanderbilt games this season.