Why the NCAA got it right in the Cameron Newton case
There are a lot of people in Athens, Ga., Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Los Angeles, Calif. who are going to get mad at this statement. But here it goes:
Based on what its investigators have determined, the NCAA got it right with Wednesday’s ruling on Cameron Newton.
Early Wednesday afternoon the NCAA announced that Auburn’s quarterback was eligible to play immediately. That statement became necessary because on Monday the NCAA determined that a violation of amateurism rules occured when Newton’s father had conversations with a former Mississippi State player about a possible pay-for-play scheme. The NCAA informed Auburn of this and the school, as it must, declared Newton ineligible on Tuesday (How they kept that secret is amazing). Auburn petitioned the NCAA to reinstate Newton as soon as possible. The NCAA committee that determines these types of things granted that reinstatement on Wednesday.
That was the process.
The NCAA enforcement staff has been investigating this case since last summer. Here are their findings as of Monday:
**–Newton’s father and the owner of a scouting service (various media reports have identified this man as former Mississippi State player Kenny Rogers) had conversations about a possible play-for-pay deal for the son’s services.
**–Cameron Newton had no knowledge his father’s actions.
**–Neither Auburn University nor anyone representing its athletics interests had any involvement in or was aware of the activity between Cecil Newton and Kenny Rogers.
That’s it.
Now if you’re a Georgia fan and you saw A.J. Green lose four games for selling a jersey, you think there is a double standard. Same at Alabama, where Marcell Dareus sat two games for accepting travel expenses to attend that infamous agent’s party in South Florida. At USC they are wondering why they got hammered. From the Trojans’ perspective Reggie Bush’s parents had their hands out just like Cecil Newton. All Cecil Newton got was limited access to the Auburn football program in the future. Big deal.
They are thinking that a high-profile player (Newton) and a high-profile league (SEC) got a pass from the NCAA just three days before a high-profile team (Auburn) played in a high-profile game (SEC championship) that was worth a lot of money to everyone concerned. This also had to get tidied up because the Heisman Trophy is going to be presented a week from Saturday (Dec. 11) and how uncomfortable would it be for the winner not to talk to the media?
I get all that. In the internet age nothing just happens anymore. Nobody just looks at a set of facts and makes a decision. It is always part of a vast conspiracy to keep the rich and powerful in their positions of wealth and power and to keep somebody else down. There are always larger forces at work.
There is a big difference between the three cases above and the Newton case. In those cases there was a finding of FACT that money and extra benefits actually changed hands. Green admitted he received $1,000 for the jersey (whether or not that should be a violation is a different argument). Dareus admitted that somebody paid his way to South Florida. It took a four years but the the NCAA proved, to its satisfaction, that almost $300,000 in benefits went to Bush or his parents.
In the Newton case, the father solicted money either directly or indirectly in his conversations with Rogers and, at this point, there is no evidence that money or extra benefits ever changed hands.
Now a lot of you are simply not going to believe that the kid did not know what the father was up to. A lot of you refuse to believe that Cecil Newton and his contact only solicted money from one school (Mississippi State) which said no. A lot of you believe this ruling just opens the door for parents to sell their sons to the highest bidder–as long as they keep their talented sons in the dark. I can’t tell you how many people told me on Wednesday that this was a “slippery slope.”
Maybe it is. But remember that a slippery slope can slide both ways. If the NCAA punished School A because a father solicted money from School B (and no money changed hands and school A didn’t even know the solicitation took place), now you have another slippery slope where the possibilities are endless. If I’m a recruiter at school B and lost a recruit to school A, when the head coach starts chewing on my butt I can just put it out there that the parent solicited money from me and get school A in trouble and take the heat off me.
The fact is that on Wednesday the NCAA issued a very narrow ruling in an area where there is a gap in its legislation. We know that the mere solicitation is a violation of amateurism rules, which is why Auburn had to suspend Newton on Tuesday. An NCAA representative told me the knowledge, or the lack thereof, of the athlete is a “mitigating factor” in whether or not the athlete is eventually reinstated.
But can you punish a school that is not involved in that solicitation simply because the athlete chose that school? Do you at least have to have evidence that the school did something wrong? Eventually, the NCAA will have to get some clarity on this issue.
Now could the facts on the ground change? Could there be evidence uncovered in the future that contradicts the current findings of the NCAA enforcement staff? Of course.
But the NCAA can only make its ruling based on what it knows today. Because of the unique nature of this case, the NCAA owed it to everybody involved to get some kind of resolution if it was possible. Thus, Newton is eligible to play on Saturday against South Carolina.
One more thing. A number of you sent me this rule from the SEC’s bylaws:
14.01.3.3. Financial Aid. If at any time before or after matriculation in a member institution a student-athlete or
any member of his/her family receives or agrees to receive, directly or indirectly, any aid or assistance beyond or in
addition to that permitted by the Bylaws of this Conference (except such aid or assistance as such student-athlete
may receive from those persons on whom the student is naturally or legally dependent for support), such student-athlete
shall be ineligible for competition in any intercollegiate sport within the Conference for the remainder of
his/her college career.
I checked with the SEC and the rule above does not apply in the Newton case. That’s because the key passage is: “AGREES to receive, directly or indirectly.” In this case there is evidence that Cecil Newton, directly or indirectly, SOLICITED extra benefits. There is no evidence, at this point, that there was an agreement (such as a handshake agreement) by one party to pay and another party to receive an extra benefit.
If it is ever proven that Cecil Newton agreed to receive money instead of just talking about it, then we have a whole new ball game. But until that day comes, the NCAA has to apply the rules as written. Stuff like this is why the NCAA bylaws look like a copy of the Manhattan phone book. Those rules are going to have to grow in order to account for this case. And until it does, the kid gets to play.
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872 comments Add your comment
Jonathon
December 2nd, 2010
7:59 am
Tony, is right that it is a slippery slope either way. Who cares its over, lets move on. Auburn is the best team currently money can buy! Alabama was that team in the early 90s, then Auburn tried in the mid 90s then Bama tried to buy players again. I don’t believe it’s all of College Football, it seems that the rivalry between Bama and Auburn becomes a lack of patience and bad choices are made among certain people to try and advance program above rival. Auburn seems to have been looking for a quick fix with Bama being on top and up to now it has “paid off”. Next 2 years will be the true test of Saban and Chizik on which program is here to stay and which was a 1 hit wonder! GO SC!
alabama voodoo
December 2nd, 2010
7:59 am
I said all along Cam Newton is too good. It wasn’t that MSU didn’t pay its that they are regretting they didn’t pay dumb a$$ billy bell should’ve forked over the cash…Auburn has just as good facilities for football if not better than any program in the nation. I ask you all a serious question….Have you ever been to Starkville? What a flippin DUMP. OF COURSE Cam chose Auburn its the choice between ribeye and catfish bait…ENVY
casisusclay
December 2nd, 2010
8:00 am
what about his cheating at UF and theft charges? aren’t those enough to make him ineligible?
Jay
December 2nd, 2010
8:00 am
The whole thing smells like week-old fish, but frankly, it’s time we stopped pretending that the NCAA was a high-minded arbiter of college morals. They’re all about making as much money as possible while making sure none of it actually gets into students’ pockets. That AJ Green was whacked four games for selling a jersey is beyond absurd. A student can’t sell his jersey for a paltry $1000, but his school can unload piles of them on the Internet and rake in five or six figures or more? Oh, come on.
No, it can't
December 2nd, 2010
8:03 am
Until I see something going up a hill without a boost, I stand by my post. Otherwise, it’s a climb, not a slide.
Pawleys Island Jacket
December 2nd, 2010
8:04 am
Eventually we will find out how much Auburn paid Cecil. This ain’t over!
ATL is TigerTown
December 2nd, 2010
8:05 am
You people are so obvious. For you it’s not about right and wrong, it’s about your seething hate. Talk about the low road.
For me, It’s Great To Be An Auburn Tiger! Can’t wait for our date in the Dome. War Damn Eagle!
Dwayne Gilbert
December 2nd, 2010
8:05 am
AJ was punished because the jersey went to a “agent”, since AJ did not know he was an agent he should have not been punished.
The Ms St coaches said Cam called them and was aware of the money, are these coaches lying or just ignored
1stString
December 2nd, 2010
8:05 am
UGADawg83
Yep, Auburn is better than hiding the money. Yeah right. How are things at Thug U? And remember 49 – 31
The rest of us
December 2nd, 2010
8:07 am
Steve Spurrier
December 2nd, 2010
7:54 am
Your all idiots if you think Cam knew nothing about this !
Actually “you’re” the idiot Steve.
Hal
December 2nd, 2010
8:09 am
Auburn may play for the National Championship. The BCS may have had to take TCU against Oregon if Cam couldn’t play. If Auburn were 8-3 Cam would be gone. The NCAA and BCS have too much at stake.
1stString
December 2nd, 2010
8:10 am
Wow! You Jorga Dawg fans act just like the arrogant Alabama fans. Cry a river today since Cam is and has always been eligible. 49 – 31. Still in it for the National Championship. How’s your halo coach doing for you lately?
Depiaml
December 2nd, 2010
8:11 am
Nothing like being publically charged based on hearsay and allegations for something that I personally think was initiated by a “former” MSU booster and for which there is no proof.
I joked about robbing a bank to pay for xmas gifts yesterday to my husband. Go ahead and arrest me.
Ed
December 2nd, 2010
8:12 am
This situation just stinks and reinforces the “OUTLAW” image of the SEC… Very sad. I just wonder how many other cases are out there…
3rdN8
December 2nd, 2010
8:12 am
No matter which side you come down on re: the Newton story….you gotta admit…..this one has “Made for TV Movie” written all over it.
Seriously . . . .
December 2nd, 2010
8:13 am
Tony,
I’m surprised with your article, particularly with the references you made to the fact earlier that Newton’s father was a minister and there should be, if this were true, a special place reserved for him. I find it interesting that his “ineligibility” was held very quietly and one day later he was reinstated. ESPN found it interesting too, even calling it something like scripted cooperation. The PTI boys thought it was a scam, no pun intended, because AU was headed to the NCS and Cam to the heisman ceremony. This is an embarassment to the SEC and to the BCS should AU win. It is naive to think Cam was in the dark, and, the fact that this was known prior to UGA and AL games but was all conveniently handled after those but before SEC title game smells like something only a bad sports novel could cook up. :You are better than this Tony, the late Grizzard would call it a hoAx! As much as I don’t want to see USC win an SEC title (albeit I like the HBC) I hope USC wins and puts an end to this embarassment. College football, and SEC football particularly, is America’s greatest game. Early in the year the NCAA was cracking down, now they are part of the mess. I would ask that you reconsider your column Tony, I expect this from Schultz, who will write something just to aggravate those with any intelligence, but not from you. The AJC is a far cry from what it used to be!
3rdN8
December 2nd, 2010
8:14 am
Depiaml
Just turn yourself in….it’ll save the city some gas money.
social circle dawg
December 2nd, 2010
8:15 am
NEWS FLASH…..The NCAA pretty much does not have anything right.
travy
December 2nd, 2010
8:15 am
’show me the money or stfu’
Coach Johnsons Paul
December 2nd, 2010
8:16 am
Just wondering where the “Rev” got those new $60K+ wheels??? Specially since his church was “Struggling”.
War IllEagle!!!
TrishaDishaWarEagle
December 2nd, 2010
8:17 am
whine whine whine..he was not known to be ineligible before the uga and bama games..inuendo doesn;t mean you sit a kid…the ncaa told auburn tuesday a violation had occured and auburn made him ineligible..then applied for re-instatement and based upon the evidence the NCAA has ( and if you have some new evidence send it to them, whiners)..they reinstated him.
You act like there would be some moral victory for your teams that got beat ON THE FIELD if only you could prove AU was bad..doesn’t change the fact you got BEAT on the field.
3rdN8
December 2nd, 2010
8:20 am
I don’t know where the money went. I do know a woman who is a reporter for a newspaper in the College Park area. Friend of a friend. She stated that Mr. Newton showed her the largest organ she’d ever seen inside of a church building.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
December 2nd, 2010
8:20 am
The difference in this case and the USC case is, as Kincade said last night, the complete and total LACK of a money trail in the Newton case..whereas Reggie Bush’s Parents had moved from a little apartment into a $750,000 rent free house, which Reggie knew about..there was a money trail..
DawginLex
December 2nd, 2010
8:21 am
What a joke!
The kid didn’t know what his Dad was doing?
Spare me the explanation.
He knew.
What a crock.
george
December 2nd, 2010
8:22 am
Tony,
Great article! The thing that bothers me the most about this case is the TERRBILE and unethical media coverage from day one. It is by far and away the worst I have ever seen and someone needs to be held accountable for their actions. For insatnce, how does Joe Schad still have a job? Several weeks ago he reported that Cam newton had a conversation with an unnamned source of course at ms st about the money. According to the NCAA this report is 100 percent false and nobody is even bringing this up???? How can that be and how can Joe schad not be held responsible for such bad and false reporting???? The ENTIRE case pretty much revolves around his report that Cam newton knew and the NCAA is saying that as of now that report was 100 % false. It is beyond a disgrace for someone like that to be working at ESPN. I could go on and on about Thayer Evans, the cheateing articles, the tmz stuff etc etc. By the way I hope the newtons and their attorneys put the hammer down on Florida for leaking his academic stuff anyone since it is a blatant violation of the law. your comments will be greatly appreciated and thanks for all you do.
Now get the Picture
December 2nd, 2010
8:22 am
It is all about MONEY. The NCAA was not going to do anything to jepardize having two schools from being undefeated and playing for the national championsship. The money spent for TV comercials and by the fans is unreel for these games. So come early Feburary NCAA comes back and says Cam was not eligible,so what, Auburn gives up the titles its has won but all institutions and conferances involved can still bank the money because they did no wrong. Get The Picture?
My A$$
December 2nd, 2010
8:23 am
The next thing we will see is phantom calls go against SC Saturday night if it looks like they are about to win. The SEC/NCAA/BCS Cartel has to keep AU afloat. TCU is their worst nightmare.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
December 2nd, 2010
8:24 am
You know what, you are all right..this was a MASSIVELY elaborate scheme to keep that 6-6 jugernaught of a UGA team from winning a national championship this year..you caught us..
travy
December 2nd, 2010
8:24 am
unless the newtons have $200k stuffed in there mattress this isn’t going anywhere. even if they did have cash hidden they couldn’t really spend it. wouldn’t be too surprised if there were some clever way to launder cash in college football but until that gets uncovered, cam plays.
ARdawg
December 2nd, 2010
8:25 am
Tony is a Gomer
Tony is also a sellout. Someone obviously directing Tony to support the NCAA’s ruling. CBS? Atlanta Journal Constipation? Who knows but, Tony has obviously lost his objectivity.
Tony, why was this ruling so quick are Auburn’s declaration? If future findings will have an affect, why declare him ineligible at all? It would appear to the layman that the big money machine of a possible Heisman and BCS championship game overrules even the NCAA. Why do you not question this? A fine journalist you are Tony * cough *
My A$$
December 2nd, 2010
8:25 am
Cam did not know? My A$$.
My A$$
December 2nd, 2010
8:26 am
UGA has nothing to do with this and has no Dog in the fight TDWE.
ARdawg
December 2nd, 2010
8:27 am
Something stinks to high heaven and those entrusted to find the truth merely do as they are told. Thanks Barnhart!
Coach Johnsons Paul
December 2nd, 2010
8:27 am
The ALLBARNERS are “All In” therefore to get a realistic viewpoint from them is absurd. Based on the “evidence” (we have been privey to) I get it with the NCAA. But the smell test on this one is not very convincing. That Cam wanted to go to MSU yet suddenly ended up at The Barn is probably the most damming bit of evidence, or should I say opens the room for doubt, that something hokey went down with the good Rev and someone in the “loveliest Dump on the Plain”
Should Barn lose this Sat. and further evidence comes forward “All In” is going to look more like rats jumping off the proverbial sinking ship.
War ILLEAGLE!!!
Bama Aaron
December 2nd, 2010
8:29 am
I can’t agree with TB on this one. Too much lawyer speak in trying to say Soliciting is not the same as Agreeing to. Bottom line is he was trying to shop his kid. And for those trying to holler “Cam didn’t know”, please grow up. If you truly believe he knew nothing of what his father did I’m sure we can find some fine doctors to help you with those mental problems. The whole thing stinks and I still believe we’ll have another “USC/R. Bush” problem when all the investigating is done. Because really….you now know he shopped to MSU, then you don’t really think they were the only one bidding or that he went to AU for free?
ARdawg
December 2nd, 2010
8:30 am
Johnsons Paul
I was actually predicting upset Sat night but it would appear instead a coronation of Auburn into the NCG. I doubt Slive and the NCAA will let anything get in the way of AU/Oregon CG. Isn’t that right Tony?
My A$$
December 2nd, 2010
8:31 am
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
JdawgT
December 2nd, 2010
8:32 am
Im so tired of hearing about this useless piece of trailer trash. They will all get whats coming to them. we just have to be patient.
Seriously . . . .
December 2nd, 2010
8:33 am
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=5872192&sportCat=ncf
According to ESPN, you are wrong Tony, they add, this is not a slap on the wrist, its a wet kiss on the ring finger . . .
TrishaDishaWarEagle
December 2nd, 2010
8:33 am
Bama AAron, show proof cam knew or AU paid anything..the NCAA isn’t even investigating Auburn..
A “gut feeling” is not evidence..thats why this ended like it did..
My A$$
December 2nd, 2010
8:33 am
Watch out SC- You now have to beat AU, the zebras, and the BCS Cartel. You have a tough task indeed.
Coach Johnsons Paul
December 2nd, 2010
8:33 am
Dawg, Bama, Gators, Tech, UT, etc. will benefit from this whether Barn gets “Cammed” or not (should further evidence arise) as they will be under a microscope for some time in regards to recruiting. Trooper Taylor and the rest of the Bowling Shirts and Hummerzines just became a ‘Steer” if you know what I mean!!! Big Tiger Night just got declawed.
ARdawg
December 2nd, 2010
8:34 am
I doubt they get what’s coming to them. Much easier for all concerned to cover it up than to seek and admit the truth. For Cam to be guilty would be bad for College football. Tony contributes to this
Seriously . . . .
December 2nd, 2010
8:34 am
This is not over Trisha . . . . enjoy it before its all taken away and AU’s record for the year is 0-14
My A$$
December 2nd, 2010
8:34 am
Trisha- you think this is over?
Speculation
December 2nd, 2010
8:35 am
If CN did indeed want to play for Mullen and then was told by his dad that he could not and needed to go elsewhere, wouldn’t Cam have asked why? I believe Cam did know all but I am but an observer. The whole ineligible one day and eligible the next is very curious. This decision only adds to the speculation that the SEC/NCAA will do what it takes to make sure an SEC team is “in the money” each year.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
December 2nd, 2010
8:37 am
we kicked 12 teams a** on the field, what a ledger in the ncaa record book shows doesn’t concern me..
WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!
MURPHY
December 2nd, 2010
8:38 am
Cam and Auburn were cleared by the NCAA and the SEC of any wrong doing.Rather you agree of dis-agree doesnt matter at this point. Schultz,Barnhardt,and Bradley have decided today to each write an article concerning Cam.This is crazy! How many ways is their to discuss this dead issue? Lets move on! Let’s discuss the game.
Nick Fairley
December 2nd, 2010
8:38 am
Good article.
Big Al
December 2nd, 2010
8:39 am
VoooDoo you were one of first to speak up and applaud when USC got hmmered for Reggis’s parents but now its OK—are you kidding me?