The NCAA is keeping Johnny Manziel off the field for the first half of his team's opening day game against Rice this Saturday.

While it was initially suspected that the Texas A&M quarterback signed autographs in exchange for money, which violates NCAA rules, the evidence was never found. Instead of a harsher punishment, the NCAA decided to hand him a half-game suspension for violating NCAA Bylaw 12.5.2.1, according to CBS Sports.

After "Johnny Football" spent roughly 6 hours meeting with NCAA officials on the Texas A&M campus, Texas A&M associate athletic director Jason Cook said that it was concluded that Manziel's violation was only inadvertent.

Texas A&M athletic director Eric Hyman released a statement, which was surely seen as ironic and insincere to those who advocate for players rights and the pay-for-play system.

"Texas A&M University would like to thank the NCAA staff, not only for its fairness and professionalism throughout this process, but also for the expediency of its actions," he said. "Texas A&M is a proud member of the NCAA and the Southeastern Conference and, as such, we will continue to abide by the rules governing the association and the conference."

Fans and followers took to Twitter to express their feelings about the NCAA and its rules.

Rick Siegel (@rcksgl) said, "Manziel suspended. Not for making money, but for letting others besides the #NCAA make money on him. They get to exploit him exclusively."

Adam Tripp (@AdamTrip43h), whose profile says he is from Tennessee, echoed Siegel's comments via Twitter. "College #Football starts today and all I hear is this overblown story about #Manziel! The #NCAA is a hypocritical organization end of story."

Manziel, a 20-year-old sophomore, was the recipient of the 2012 Heisman Trophy award.