The AHSAA Central Board of Control has rescinded a forfeit assigned to the Tuscaloosa County football team after clarifying a portion of the AHSAA Amateur Rule this week.

Tuscaloosa County head coach Adam Winegarden told AL.com last week that his team forfeited a Week 2 win over Bessemer City after the school honored two of its players with food gift cards as top players for their Week 1 win over Central-Tuscaloosa.

“We got a call from the (Alabama High School Athletic Association) that we had some athletes recognized by receiving some cards to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings,” Winegarden said. “Since they received those gift cards, it broke their status as amateur athletes.”

Two players who received gift cards played in the next week’s 55-33 win over Bessemer City, resulting in the forfeit. Winegarden said the gift cards were never used.

However, the Central Board on Tuesday unanimously approved a clarification for the Amateur Rule concerning food-related gift cards presented to AHSAA student-athletes and rescinded any sanctions that were assessed to schools penalized this school year for violations concerning such gift cards.

“I want to thank the Central Board for clarifying the AHSAA Amateur Rule concerning the receipt of food related gift cards by student-athletes,” said AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs. “This clarification clears up any confusion our schools might have relating to gift cards and the Amateur Rule moving forward.”

Tuscaloosa County, now 3-1, travels to Oak Mountain for a Class 7A, Region 3 game on Friday. The Wildcats lost at Hewitt-Trussville last week.

“We are very thankful to the AHSAA and our administration and everyone involved,” Winegarden said Wednesday afternoon. “Everyone loves kids, and everyone wants to help kids. The sports landscape is ever changing. This situation was eye-opening for a lot of reasons. I was confident everyone was working hard to get it resolved for us and everyone else in the future. I’m really thankful it turned out the way it did.”

The initial AHSAA rule stated in part: “Cash awards or gift cards for athletic performances or participation may not be given or received.”

The clarifications are as follows:

Gift cards from food establishments are excluded from this rule.

Gift cards from any entity other than a food establishment if returned unused are excluded from this rule.

HERE IS THE COMPLETE AHSAA AMATEUR RULE

Only amateurs are eligible. An amateur is one who does not use his/her knowledge of athletics or athletic skill for gain. Amateur standing shall be further determined by the following standards:

(a) A student is ineligible if he/she has received money as a prize, or has sold a prize received in a contest, or has bet on a contest in which he/she is a participant.

(b) Professionalism is defined as accepting remuneration, directly or indirectly, for playing on athletic teams and in sports activities or for playing under an assumed name.

(c) A student who accepts material or financial inducement from any source is ineligible.

(d) No student shall receive more than actual expenses involved in travel to and from a contest or camp and necessary meals and lodging in the meantime. A student shall not at any time receive any portion of a livelihood for participation in athletics, other than actual expenses for any specific game or camp.

1. A student cannot accept payment for loss of time or wages while participating in athletics as part of expenses.

2. Reasonable meals, lodging and transportation may be accepted if such are accepted in service rather than money or some material form.

3. Students playing on a non-home team which requires boarding away from home by the week, etc., will be looked upon as violating the professional rule if board is not paid by his family.

4. A team which plans to divide among its members any surplus either during or at close of season shall be considered a professional team.

(e) No award of any kind having a monetary value of more than 250 dollars — other than medals, trophies, plaques or AHSAA championship rings — shall be made to students. Violation of this rule on the part of school officials shall subject the school to suspension for one year. Acceptance of awards exceeding these limitations shall disqualify a student. Cash awards or gift cards for athletic performances or participation may not be given or received.

Note: Gift cards from food establishments are excluded from this rule.

Note: Gift cards from any entity other than a food establishment if returned unused are excluded from this rule.

(f) A student who has lost his/her amateur standing may be reinstated after the lapse of one high school season, or until reinstated by the Central Board of Control, for the sport in which he/she has become professional provided he/she has not persisted in breaking the amateur rule.