Bryce Brown and Tennessee Cleared; Is Brian Butler?

It's nice when the NCAA does something right. It just seems it isn't often enough.

Today, the NCAA, in a rare case of expediency, declared Bryce Brown eligible for football with no penalties and no cash needing to be repaid.

Commenting about the investigation that took place in Knoxville, Lane Kiffin said, "I think that that's a heck of a deal by the NCAA to get it done right and get it done with a sense of urgency, so we're very grateful for that."

He added that he was told by officials that Brown could have faced up to a four-game suspension and that he was glad to see that didn't happen.

There were times when Tennessee and its fans got so much conflicting information about this case that some believed there was no investigation going on.

There was in fact a very serious investigation with as many as a dozen NCAA officials working the case, but to most fans, it went totally over their head.

Even Kiffin himself spoke to the NCAA on different occasions to not only give evidence and testimony, but also to plead the case for Brown.

But the highest praise was given by both Tennessee athletic director and Kiffin himself to associate athletic director for compliance Brad Bertani for his work in acting as main liaison with the NCAA and the investigation.

Though Kiffin and Bertani both accepted that things may have been done wrong, they were done by Brian Butler, who appears to be and acts like Brown's agent, and not by Brown and not known or condoned by Tennessee.

Also apparently affecting the ruling was a long letter that Brown himself wrote explaining his own actions and feelings. Even Kiffin felt it carried impact with the authorities.

When told of the news, Brown embraced his coach, and it was an emotional moment. Both knew the bullet that was dodged could have had repercussions, and both were relieved to have this investigation behind them and just concentrate on football.

The NCAA made no mention of whether the investigation of Butler was over. They would not answer any question regarding him. In fact, it would appear that he is still being looked at—for what, no one knows specifically.

But for Tennessee, the ordeal was over quicker than Kiffin and company had hoped for. In the end, that is not only good news for Tennessee, but for the whole NCAA as well. Maybe they're finally working not only to get things right for a change, but to do it quickly too.

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