Man who bought Green's jersey faces drug charges

ATLANTA -- The former player linked to the suspension of Georgia receiver A.J. Green faces a felony drug charge from a 2009 arrest during a traffic stop.

Chris Hawkins is charged with felony trafficking of cocaine and misdemeanor marijuana possession. The former North Carolina and Marshall defensive back is scheduled to be in court next month.

Page Pate, Hawkins' Atlanta-based attorney, said Wednesday that Hawkins bought Green's Independence Bowl jersey from Green last year. The NCAA ruled Hawkins qualified as an agent and suspended Green for four games, though an NCAA committee will hear Green's appeal Friday.

A Georgia State Patrol report said authorities initially stopped Hawkins for not wearing a seat belt while driving a truck carrying furniture.