COLUMBIA (WACH) -- USC freshman wide receiver Damiere Byrd has been suspended for four games by the NCAA.
The NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff announced today that Byrd would have to sit out, in addition to repay benefits in order to play again.
The suspension stems from being part of the Student Athlete Mentoring Foundation.
"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 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 an organization that provides underprivileged, inner-city athletes with help in getting scholarships.
Byrd already sat out the first game against ECU. He is also required to sit out against Georgia, Navy and Vanderbilt.
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