Report: LSU bans Beckham 2 years for distributing cash to players

LSU is banning former wide receiver and current Cleveland Browns star Odell Beckham Jr. from its facilities for two years after he handed out cash to players following the team's national championship win in January, Sports Illustrated's Ross Dellenger and Pat Forde report.

The ban is part of recent self-imposing penalties for rules violations. The Tigers will also eliminate eight football scholarships over a two-year period while reducing recruitment visits, evaluations, and communication following a separate two-year investigation involving booster payments to the father of former offensive lineman Vadal Alexander.

"LSU has worked proactively and in cooperation with the NCAA to identify and self-report any violations that occurred within our football program," senior associate athletic director Robert Munson said in a statement to SI. "We believe these self-imposed penalties are appropriate and we will continue to coordinate and cooperate with the NCAA on this matter."

School officials notified the NCAA of its self-imposed sanctions earlier in October and are hoping no further discipline will be handed out, according to Dellenger and Forde.

Beckham was seen putting cash in players' hands on the field after the game versus Clemson and then joined the team in the locker room to continue the celebration.

LSU initially claimed the bills handed out were fake but later issued a statement acknowledging real cash was given to student-athletes.

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