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
DawginLex
December 2nd, 2010
9:20 am
Robert w Peoples,
I never whined about the game. I wanted Fairley taken out. If I was playing or if Erk was still alive and coaching, he would have been carted off in an ambulance.
I’m only sorry that Ben Jones missed.
Spare me the bull. You are going to sit across a table from me with a straight face and tell me the Cam Newton didn’t know what his Dad was doing?
If he had gone to Alabama or UGA would you not be syaing the same thing I am saying?
It is all crap and you know it.
MURPHY
December 2nd, 2010
9:22 am
It appears that Mike Slive didnt get his wish? He wanted the Cam issue put to rest by the SEC Championship game as not to take away from the contest.Looks like the ruling will be a bigger story than the allegations themselves?
robodawg
December 2nd, 2010
9:22 am
Bottom line, there is no proof of any wrongdoing on the part of Cam Newton or Auburn or its boosters. Right decision based on the available evidence.
DawginLex
December 2nd, 2010
9:22 am
Another thing to ponder:
What becomes of Cecil Newton?
Would you want to attend church services with him preaching?
His kid better go pro and make him a lot of money because he shouldn’t be a Pastor anymore.
KITTYKATKILLER
December 2nd, 2010
9:23 am
I see a very long probation for Auburn the NCAA as we are all seeing today is being made a laughing stock around the USA so believe me guys they will get Auburn ,they never had any intention of letting AU off the hook they are just letting them dig their own grave .It is true that because of Papa Cam was ineligible ,but the NCAA also knew they could get sued over that you must remember they were talking to AU lawyers but if Cam knew about his Dad shopping him he is ineligible ,so they cant prove the guy knows even though they know he knows so they make a deal we tell you his dad broke this by-law you sit him ==== lol 1 day and we reinstate him the next to kind of save face a little .But the problem is AU lawyering up and forcing the NCAAs hand believe me guy as a Tide man I know how vindictave the NCAA is they are going to slam AU for this.JUSTLY SO IN MY OPINION Auburn knows the deal .
georgia87
December 2nd, 2010
9:24 am
Mr. Jones – in your response to Michael, again, you are dismissing the facts. The NCAA ruled that he did “pimp out his son”. He did attempt to get money. He admitted it. No, he was not apparently successful. But it is still a violation, according to the NCAA, whether money changed hands or not. The argument is that this type of behavior can now be done with impunity, as long as plausible deniability is maintained and any cash that changed hands cannot be traced. It is not just Georgia fans that are arguing that this has opened the NCAA to quite a mess.
MURPHY
December 2nd, 2010
9:25 am
DawginLex,
Im pretty sure he has reached Rock-Star status.Im sure his church will be full to capacity-right or wrong.
Atlanta Gator
December 2nd, 2010
9:25 am
FSUTiger—-
The whole thing smells bad, but by all accounts, there is no evidence that the Mississippi State recruiters did anything wrong. Quite the contrary. When presented with a demand for money by Cam’s father, for a quarterback recruit they very much wanted, they said “no,” and reported the incident to their head coach, their athletic department and the SEC. They were subsequently informed that it was very likely, given Cecil Newton’s previous demands for money, that Cam Newton was now ineligible to play for MSU. If someone explained this Cecil, it would go a long way to explaining why he did not attempt to solicit money from Auburn’s recruiters.
Sorry, but that does make sense. Doesn’t mean that Cecil isn’t a dirt ball (he is). And it doesn’t mean that Cam Newton’s career doesn’t have a certain stink about it as a result (it does). But it does appear that the SEC and NCAA enforced their rules as written, and that Mississippi State and Auburn complied with their obligations under SEC and NCAA rules.
Frankly, if anything, this case illustrates how universities can lose control of the recruiting process through the actions of people over whom they have no control, and despite their best efforts. Dan Mullen wanted Cam Newton to play for Mississippi State. To his credit and that of MSU, he and his recruiters were unwilling to break the rules to make that happen. MSU was obligated to report Cecil Newton’s demands for money to the SEC, and it did. End of story.
Cecil Newton
December 2nd, 2010
9:28 am
Who, me?
FSUTiger
December 2nd, 2010
9:29 am
georgia87
While the mere solicitation of extra benefits does render a student-athlete ineligible, that clause has, to my knowledge, NEVER been used by the NCAA as a stand-alone violation and declared them ineligible. It is used to build the case where extra benefits have been received.
The Grappler
December 2nd, 2010
9:30 am
We’re supposed to believe that $180K wasn’t enough to get him to Miss St, but he went to Auburn for free?
Grey Ghost
December 2nd, 2010
9:32 am
Father of 5 was ’spot on’ when he said the NCAA bowed to the SEC threat of forming a super conference and deep sixing the NCAA. The SEC applied the pressure and the NCAA caved in with this pitiful rendering. The NCAA, along with the SEC will sweep the remenants of this investigation under the rug and it will be history. Tony Barnhart’s explanation reeks to high heaven. North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama must feel like chumps right now after their penalties. If Auburn was not in a position to play in the BCS championship game, Newton would have been run off the field a month ago.
Gen Neyland
December 2nd, 2010
9:32 am
Looks like we won’t hear the game announcers saying, “…and at QB for Auburn, Kodi Burns.”
Cam Watch
December 2nd, 2010
9:32 am
I was angry with Auburn University for spoiling this football season. Little did I know that they had actually destroyed college football as we know it. This scam is so transparent that it goes far beyond the pale. The SEC and the NCAA now have zero credibility. College football was a great American tradition. It was good while it lasted. May it rest in peace — I’m done with it.
MURPHY
December 2nd, 2010
9:33 am
I sit and read all the opinions on this blog-either from AU fans or non-AU fans.The real story here is really no-one has won in this situation.Cam’s legacy will always be tarnished and questioned.Auburn will always have black eye over this deal.The SEC and NCAA will be seen a protector to AU. This will be debated for many years to come.
NCAA Lawyer
December 2nd, 2010
9:33 am
The “slippery slope can slide both ways” argument is weak. Do you really think there is a big risk that coaches would falsely accuse parents of recruits of soliciting money? If they did, they would be facing a defamation lawsuit that would damage their career much more than failing to get one recruit.
Frody
December 2nd, 2010
9:34 am
TB,
Yes, I am one of the “Athens” people I assume you were referring to. And yes, I am mad. Not because it’s Auburn (although my opinion may have changed after everything I witnessed in Auburn on Nov. 13th) but because it is beyond obvious they are all guilty.
So the NCAA agreed all the Miss St. rumors involving daddy Scam were true except the one that involved Scam himself apologizing for not going there? Gee, that’s convenient. Daddy Scam is trying to shake down Miss St. for 200K, supposedly to help his church which is bordering on being condemned and then he magically gets all the money he needs? Are you seriously trying to tell me this is all just a huge coincidence? And nevermind the fact that Auburn owns potentially the dirtiest booster in America with Mr. Lowder to boot.
Give me a break TB. This is going to be a huge embarrassment to the conference as a whole once ALL the facts are finally revealed and the obvious is finally acknowledged.
FSUTiger
December 2nd, 2010
9:35 am
Atlanta Gator
I don’t really want to go back into this but I will…
Rogers stated he wasn’t paying attention, but thinks Cecil Newton solicited two coaches from MSU on 27 Nov 09. Rogers himself called Bill Bell on 29 Nov. MSU continued to recruit Cam Newton until the end of DECEMBER, and didn’t report the violation until JANUARY! It was convenient how they didn’t report the transgressions until after Newton signed with and enrolled at Auburn. Read what Mike Slive had to say about Miss St draggin their feet for six months after the SEC requested further information.
If MSU was squeaky clean, then Rogers and Bill Bell wouldn’t be coming clean so everyone knew Miss St did nothing wrong…I’ll look up their quotes, but they caught my eye.
roy jones
December 2nd, 2010
9:36 am
georgia87, the “agreement” language we were discussing and referenced in Tony’s blog was in the SEC bylaw. I agree with you that an agreement was made between Mr. Newton and Mr. Rogers to receive money, however the second party to this agreement would have to be the member institution (not Rogers) for there to be an “agreement” in violation of the SEC bylaw. Back to my analogy of asking for your car and the money in your checking account I could “agree” with my Uncle Bob that we were going to receive your car and money but YOU and I don’t have an “agreement”.
I will admit Auburn should give their lawyers a Christmas bonus but the NCAA and SEC did get this right.
georgia87
December 2nd, 2010
9:37 am
FSUTiger – Thanks for your reply. I am not familiar with NCAA procedures but concede that you may very well be correct. However, as a Georgia fan, the NCAA’s explanation of why Newton was reinstated, “he didn’t know”, still rankles me when they explained the extra two games of Green’s suspension as “he should’ve known”. That, and the speed of the ruling, really makes me feel the NCAA is playing along because of the money.
RxDawg
December 2nd, 2010
9:37 am
“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”
w….t….f?
This is about money. The big money BCS game is Auburn vs. Oregon. Once that’s over, so is Auburn. Alabama’s success over the past century has breeded corruption at a jealous instate school named Auburn. There are shady people running the show over there. I’m embarrased to be associated with them.
FSUTiger
December 2nd, 2010
9:38 am
I STILL have yet to hear where Auburn has been accused of ANY wrongdoing in this…Please enlighten me with some facts and not just shots in the dark…
CECIL NEWTON
December 2nd, 2010
9:38 am
I think it was a fair call. Now me and Cameron need to focus on his NFL career!
JB
December 2nd, 2010
9:39 am
Too much bad history with AU because of the Scum STILL INVOLVED in AU football. Lowder, Jimmy Raye, McGregor, Pat Dye…… Way way too much stink. Why? AU has Their man as head coach. What other major SEC program would hire a no name coach from a no name school with a 5-19 record ? The answer. NONE! They hired him because he had been there before and knew the “Auburn Way”. Laugh if you want…….Would LSU, Florida hire a coach with those credentials ? I don’t think so…..
Tony's a HOMER
December 2nd, 2010
9:39 am
Stop being an SEC Homer Tony! This is ugly ugly ugly for the SEC and the NCAA. Just stop already…
Daniel Webster
December 2nd, 2010
9:40 am
Justice may never be served in this case, but at least the truth is out regarding the Newton family. This whole sordid story stunk to high heaven from the beginning. Punishment can be withheld, but the truth can no longer be swept under the rug.
Cameron Newton is a supremely talented athlete, but he has no character. I wouldn’t want him on my team.
MURPHY
December 2nd, 2010
9:40 am
georgia87,
The spped of the ruling was at the request of Mike Slive and the SEC.They wanted this issue resolved before the SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
BAMA dude
December 2nd, 2010
9:41 am
Didn’t read through all the comments, but I have two opinions:
1) Tony is absolutely correct in his post.
2) We will hear more about this somewhere down the line.
Look, what happened this week is almost a non-story and a formality. Auburn suspended Cam and applied for reinstatement, meaning that they took what evidence they had to the NCAA to ask for a ruling. The evidence Auburn has is not enough to make a kid ineligible and they knew that. Frankly, Slive probably encouraged them to go through this process thinking that folks would stop focusing on this and more on the event (though that seems to have backfired.)Also, I’m glad that Tony explained the legal interpretation of “agrees to receive.” There can be no agreement without a providing party.
The thing to understand here is that there are still ongoing investigations. Kenny Rogers is set to sit down with the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office December 6, Bill Bell already has. Joe Schad swears that there is something to the “money is too much” phone conversation he reported and is vehemently standing behind his story. If any evidence comes to light that proves Cam had some level of knowledge of Cecil’s shenanigans then that new evidence will be presented and it’s game over for Cam and for Aubie’s 2010 season, though Auburn would be unlikely to face any other sanctions unless one of their boosters paid up. Obviously any money changing hands would be a serious violation all the way around.
Right call by the NCAA based on what they know.
Tomsjeep88
December 2nd, 2010
9:41 am
If South Carolina wins on Saturday, does any of this matter?
DC
December 2nd, 2010
9:41 am
murphy..honestly there will be no black eye unless AU has to forfeit the wins..if we keep things the way they are..its all good..
SEC Champs and possibly BCS champs…its not like it never happened…if they take the wins away..thats another story…
but i do agree..we all dont know exactly whats happening..but as of right now AU got a big win from the NCAA, it would be ignorant to not think that..b/c of ALL the evidence out there and was thrown to NCAA..NCAA still said there isnt any proof on Cam..
MURPHY
December 2nd, 2010
9:42 am
**The speed of this ruling
connect the dots!!!!
December 2nd, 2010
9:42 am
Let’s see, everyone, including ALL Auburn fans, were infuriated with Auburn’s decision to bring in a freakshow coaching candidate in Gene Chizik whom could only muster up a 5-19 record at Iowa St.
All at once, Auburn is rolling out the red carpet, limousines and helicopters for their recruits, literally, out on the recruiting trail. And there is now proof that the father of their most prized possession was trying to shakedown schools for cash.
Let’s see….Lowder says enough is enough and finds a coach that is willing to play by his rules and convinces Auburn to jump on board to bring in a guy that even Ga. State would have passed on. Auburn is reported as lavishly catering to their recruits all of a sudden out of the blue and surprise, rumors are boiling over of a “pay-to-play” scheme.
Hmmm…..am I really the only one that sees the obviousness to all this?
MURPHY
December 2nd, 2010
9:43 am
Tomsjeep88,
If Carolina wins? They will win!
MikeP
December 2nd, 2010
9:44 am
UGADawg83
December 2nd, 2010
7:03 am
“I just don’t think that if money was asked for at MSU then he is playing at Auburn for free. Auburn is just better at hiding the money.’
Oklahoma, Tennessee and Auburn all say money was never mentioned in Cam’s recruitment. Kenny Rogers at MSU is the guy that brought up the money. MSU is the only place that has a problem.
Andy
December 2nd, 2010
9:44 am
Tony-
A slippery slope by definition only slides one way–it’s a slope (we’re not talking quantum mechanics here either). Your hypothetical ignores the fact that Cecil Newton ACTUALLY DID what MS State accused him of. This was no false rumor to get back at Auburn for stealing their recruit. I suspect that if MS State was found to be lying about Cecil Newton’s antics, that institution would have gotten in a bit of trouble for it, whether or not Cam would be held responsible for his father’s actions. Also, the fact that Cecil solicited the payment should not get him out from under the rule you quote, since the only reason an agreement wasn’t actually made is that MS State didn’t agree to it! If the player’s family member proposes the agreement, then that rule should apply, unless there is evidence he withdrew his offer and repented. The line needs to be drawn somewhere, and is should probably not be drawn between the player and his father, in most cases. This is indeed a slippery slope and I have not seen any good arguments yet that show me it is not.
Atlanta Gator
December 2nd, 2010
9:44 am
RxDawg—-
Tony’s not a lawyer; he’s a sports columnist. Don’t confuse the two. Of course, it would help if Tony did make judicial pronouncements, but now you know better. LOL
Dawg4Life
December 2nd, 2010
9:44 am
Tony you are an idiot, please go read the bylaws….It doesn’t matter if Cam knew about it.
Cecil is a parent or guardian acting on his behalf, that makes Cam ineligible.
DONE! And yes, it is a double standard.
CallingBSonthis
December 2nd, 2010
9:45 am
@JB @9:39,Spot on man! And they bought a former NCAA lawyer too.Damn,you have to give a little credit,They plan and cheat very well.
Gen Neyland
December 2nd, 2010
9:45 am
MURPHY : Judgements made in haste will have varying consequences. No way a ‘thorough investigation’ has been done. Slive just got the SEC a stay enroute to a possible NC. Time will tell.
Beachdawg
December 2nd, 2010
9:45 am
The water logged cell phone sounds like the 18 minute gap on Richard Nixon’s White House tape. How convenient.
Betcha Pat Haden will be posturing to get USC’s penalties reduced.
MURPHY
December 2nd, 2010
9:45 am
DC,
All non-AU fans will always refer back to this issue when discussing the team of 2010.The black eye/cloud will always be present in others eye,s.
DC
December 2nd, 2010
9:45 am
bama dude, you dont think NCAA talked to Joe Schad and this mysterious 3rd person? I feel like thats one of the first people you go to when trying to get to the bottom of this? And if they did..then they didn’t find this 3rd person credible..which would be a win for Cam Newton…just a thought.
BAMA dude
December 2nd, 2010
9:46 am
roy jones
December 2nd, 2010
9:36 am
georgia87, the “agreement” language we were discussing and referenced in Tony’s blog was in the SEC bylaw. I agree with you that an agreement was made between Mr. Newton and Mr. Rogers to receive money, however the second party to this agreement would have to be the member institution (not Rogers) for there to be an “agreement” in violation of the SEC bylaw.
You don’t have this quite right. Rogers, as a MSU alum and “booster”, would qualify under the definition of “institution” because schools are required to have “institutional control” over their boosters. The issue here is that Kenny didn’t have money and wasn’t going to be doing the paying. Kenny was just asking for money on behalf of Cecil, acting as something of a broker. Think of it this way- you want to buy a house so you call up a real estate agent and agree to buy a house from them if they find the right house. You have not yet agreed to buy any house, so no “agreement” exists other thatn to buy from that agent IF you buy at all.
JB
December 2nd, 2010
9:46 am
Also connect the dots……..study last years AU recruiting class…..coming off a 7-5 season under a no name coach and SIX #1 players form SIX different states + Cam jump on the AU train ? Guess Trooper is just outworking LSU, FLA, FSU, Ark, Ga,Tenn…….hum.
S GA AU FAN
December 2nd, 2010
9:47 am
Some people deal in facts and wonder if they are correct others deal in fantasy and are 100% confident that they are correct.
Thankfully the people in charge at AU / SEC and NCAA are members of the former group.
The truth shall set you free!
TrishaDishaWarEagle
December 2nd, 2010
9:47 am
I’m embaressed by being in the same state with the Tuscalosers also..the program that came the closest since SMU to getting the DP…Bama
The supposed obvious money trail that BAMGA fans speak of it as ethereal as a Bose-Einstein condensate..it only exists if you BELIEVE… but then by the act of measuring it, you destroy it…the old “water damaged cellphone trick”..but but but you just know if that cell phone could be found, cam is guilty..after all, AJ Green was guilty, so Cam must be too..so just punish him either way, right?
MURPHY
December 2nd, 2010
9:47 am
Gen Neyland
I totally agree with your comments.
BAMA dude
December 2nd, 2010
9:47 am
DC
December 2nd, 2010
9:45 am
bama dude, you dont think NCAA talked to Joe Schad and this mysterious 3rd person? I feel like thats one of the first people you go to when trying to get to the bottom of this? And if they did..then they didn’t find this 3rd person credible..which would be a win for Cam Newton…just a thought.
Why would you think the NCAA spoke to anybody other than Cecil, kenny, and MSU?
georgia87
December 2nd, 2010
9:47 am
Mr. Jones – Thanks for your reply. I’m sure that we will have to agree to disagree. The NCAA required that Miss. State “disassociate” itself from the “individual involved” (presumably Rogers). If there is a “disassociation” that implies a former “association”. Again, I don’t think that any proof exists that money changed hands. However, if those type things were to be done, this is the way it would happen: loose “associations”. The NCAA recognizes that and rules based on it in several previous cases. It just seems that the NCAA has punished other individuals and schools based on exactly this type of evidence and Auburn, at a very critical moment, it getting a pass.
James
December 2nd, 2010
9:49 am
@ connect the dots,
BINGO!!! I have said that all along. This isn’t a brand new story just because it involves Cam. The alarm bells were going off with the hire of Chizik from day one. Lowder found a coach that was even more desperate to win than he was and more than likely told him of his “recruiting” plans and how they can work the system. You are absolutely right and I’m shocked more people aren’t bright enough to see this is a story that has been building up. It didn’t just start a month ago.