Class 7A Tuscaloosa County has forfeited its Week 2 football victory against Bessemer City.

Head coach Adam Winegarden said the decision came after the school recognized several players for their outstanding performances in a Week 1 win over Central-Tuscaloosa with gift cards from a local restaurant.

“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.

AHSAA executive director Alvin Briggs sent a memo to member principals, athletic directors and head coaches last week, reminding them of the AHSAA Amateur Rules after several inquiries were made to the office.

“It should be understood that the NCAA’s NIL does NOT apply to current high school student-athletes,” the memo stated. “Current high school student-athletes CANNOT earn money or accept money (cash, check, Venmo, Apple Pay, gift cards, checks, etc.) as a result of their connection to their high school team.

“It is the school’s responsibility to communicate and educate students and parents on the AHSAA Amateur Rule, and the penalties if a student violates the rule.”

That particular portion of the amateur rule has been in effect since the 2015-2016 school year. Winegarden said another member school alerted the AHSAA of Tuscaloosa County’s possible violation after seeing the players honored on social media.

“We are really disappointed we didn’t get a call from the school which turned us in,” Winegarden said. He said, following an appeals process, the student-athletes who received gift cards have been re-instated and are eligible to play.

The Wildcats travel to Hewitt-Trussville for a Class 7A, Region 3 game Friday night. With the forfeit loss, Tuscaloosa County stands at 2-1 overall. The Wildcats are 1-0 in region play.

“Our kids worked hard to win that game,” Winegarden said. “Winning is difficult at any point. The whole situation is highly disappointing for sure. I’ve never had to forfeit a game in my career. To forfeit one over something like this really stings. It’s not like we are playing someone who didn’t make a bona fide move. It came down to semantics and how kids are recognized, and that is pretty disappointing.”

Class 6A Bessemer City moves to 3-0 with the forfeit victory. The Purple Tigers host Northridge on Friday.

SECTION 8. 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.

(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.