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
ARdawg
December 2nd, 2010
10:56 am
rednilla
They’re obviously admitting the Brutha Ministah made a play for money and laying him out to go under the bus. Please answer the question, if Cam is innocent pursuant to the NCAA rule, why declare him ineligible “at this stage of the season”? I’ll tell you why, If he is found guilty of anything including knowledge it is the death penalty for AU (likely booted from the SEC), a big pile of pooh on the NCAA and college football as well as the SEC and Slive. Look at this realistically and Cam absolutely can not be found guilty by the powers that be. All I’m saying
SOGADOG
December 2nd, 2010
10:56 am
The problem in all of this though is that there is no consequence to Cecil soliciting money from Miss. State. If Cecil’s proven behavior isnt punished then the system is broken.
Red Panties in a Wad
December 2nd, 2010
10:56 am
Tony you are conveniently forgetting the allegation that Cam Newton told a recruiter that he would be unable to attend because “the money was too much” at Auburn. Did the NCAA administer a polygraph test to the person who made that allegation, or did they just let it slide?
Also, do you really believe that Daddy Newton solicited money from one school and then gave up when they said no?
BAMA dude
December 2nd, 2010
10:57 am
merculf, you aren’t quite right there. A player or representative of a player can’t even ask for money or he loses eligibility. So far in this case they’ve gotten by saying that Cecil was acting completely on his own without Cam’s knowledge. You believe that?
rednilla
December 2nd, 2010
10:58 am
No arguments about the magic carpet ride, but the “lesser team with a tougher schedule” thing has nothing to do with your statement. You said Auburn would be lucky to have a winning record, not be worse than 2010 Bama. Make up your mind already.
As for the players we lose, you’re right that there will likely be at least some dropoff. It’s natural to expect that EVERY year when you lose top flight talent. Like in 2003 when we lost Karlos Dansby and Dontarrius Thomas. Or in 2004 when we lost Campbell, Caddy, Brown, Rosegreen, and Rogers. Or in 2005 when…you get the picture?
BAMA dude
December 2nd, 2010
10:59 am
rwo, you’re absolutely right. I had to watch disgusted as my Bama team yakked up what should have been a blowout win. Aubie got that one and it’s in the books.
allinder
December 2nd, 2010
10:59 am
I’d love to see the SECCG devolve into an on-field brawl with fans coming out of the stands to smash whisky bottles over one another’s heads.
That would be the perfect ending for this year’s “magical” SEC football season.
Barnhart spins for the NCAA. | Get The Picture
December 2nd, 2010
11:02 am
[...] the overall point that Tony Barnhart makes in his utterly predictable post about the NCAA’s ruling in the Newton case – that the organization can only act upon [...]
BAMA dude
December 2nd, 2010
11:02 am
rednilla
December 2nd, 2010
10:58 am
No arguments about the magic carpet ride, but the “lesser team with a tougher schedule” thing has nothing to do with your statement. You said Auburn would be lucky to have a winning record, not be worse than 2010 Bama. Make up your mind already.
Let’s take this slowly.
2010 Bama went 9-3.
2011 Aubie will not be as good as 2010 Bama, any impartial observer would agree.
2011 Aubie has a tougher schedule than 2010 Bama had.
Thus, 2011 Aubie will have significantly fewer wins than 2010 Bama.
Do we understand each other now? I think you lose at least four of those tough road games and the Iron Bowl, meaning you need to beat either Florida or Missy State at home to be bowl eligible. But I’m not ALWAYS right…
rednilla
December 2nd, 2010
11:03 am
@ARdawg
All you’re saying? ROTFLMAO!!! No, what you’re saying is that Auburn is dirty and should be levied punishment as a result. They did what they did because the NCAA found evidence against Cecil Newton, whatever that evidence is, which meant that Cam had to be declared ineligible. Then they petitioned the NCAA for reinstatement.
This isn’t an Auburn thing. It’s a Mississippi State thing. Unless Auburn is found to have given money to the Newtons, which has not had one shred of evidence even linked by a “source” in an article, the worst that could happen is the loss of wins due to the playing of an ineligible athlete, not school sanctions.
Northern Sympathizer
December 2nd, 2010
11:04 am
What about FBIs investigation? Status?
rwo
December 2nd, 2010
11:05 am
The only reason there were problems in the AU-ugay game was the lack of sportsmanship cause by richt and his hoodlums from athens. To begin the game jumping up and down on the AU logo and then Dowtin’s display on the first play review started it all. Then the third play ugay had the ball and several plays thereafter the chop blocks on Fairley led to the problems. I agree the one hit by Fairley was a cheap shot, we were penalized, you got a first down and eventually a TD. I like what your former QB David Green said – ugay out to wish they had one player like Fairley. There will be no problems in the game Saturday because the thugs from athens will be watching on tv and hoping we get beat. WAR EAGLE and enjoy the game.
Daddy Newton
December 2nd, 2010
11:05 am
Show me the money!
Trooper Taylor
December 2nd, 2010
11:06 am
You writers sure are gullible!! I love you guys. Protect us while we rebuild that church in Newnan!! The Lord gave us money and he works in a casino!!
BAMA dude
December 2nd, 2010
11:06 am
Unless Auburn is found to have given money to the Newtons, which has not had one shred of evidence even linked by a “source” in an article, the worst that could happen is the loss of wins due to the playing of an ineligible athlete, not school sanctions.
This is pretty much correct, though they could be in violation if Cam was involved, they knew, and they played him without reporting it. I don’t see that being an issue.
BAMA dude
December 2nd, 2010
11:07 am
rwo
December 2nd, 2010
11:05 am
The only reason there were problems in the AU-ugay game was the lack of sportsmanship cause by richt and his hoodlums from athens.
Credibility gone. Next.
jadennis
December 2nd, 2010
11:08 am
THIS IS ABOUT KENNY ROGERS (part 1)
I think one main thing people who want to see Cam burn, is the ASSUMPTION that Cecil was the instigator in the money talks. ESPN has led everyone to read the story that way, and as always, everyone just follows the mother-ship without using their own brains.
Look at the actions of Kenny Rogers.
He admits to doing all the talking. He admits to picking out Bill Bell to contact and ask for money. He admits to setting up three-way calls and having the discussions while Cecil sat silently. He admits to sending texts to Bill Bell. He admits to calling Bell to ask “will the deal go through”. Bill Bell admits to all these same things (which actually tells you a lot about Bell as well…..why is he even entertaining such talks? Why is he having MULTIPLE three way calls with these men?).
Now add to that other things we know about Rogers.
He is solely responsible for 15 of the 17 infractions committed by Ian Greengross (the NFLPA agent in Chicago that PAYS Rogers for his services). He is accused by the NFLPA of falsely claiming to be an agent himself. The NFLPA as already made it known that they will seek criminal charges if possible on the activities of Rogers.
continued….
BAMA dude
December 2nd, 2010
11:10 am
jadennis, Cecil agreed that he was part of this deal. No dice on that argument.
ARdawg
December 2nd, 2010
11:10 am
rednilla
Listen and/or read closely
What I am saying is there is plenty of guilt here to go around “IF” Cam or Big Daddy Newton is guilty. Plenty of guilt.
There is also plenty other at stake. Slive and the SEC “supposedly” investigating this matter since last January when it was reported. Would it be a big deal if Cam wasn’t a Heisman candidate? Or if AU had their usual mediocre year? No, it wouldn’t have matter much and the usual slow turning wheels of justice wouldn’t have been sped up.
There is a “LOT” of face and a lot of money at stake in this thing going away with the good reverend under the bus. Do you seriously believe Cam didn’t know daddy was trying to cash in? Do you believe in the toothfairy too?
rednilla
December 2nd, 2010
11:11 am
You are looking at things far to linearly. In football, the sum of the parts is rarely the value of the whole. Just because you view Auburn in 2011 as less than Alabama in 2010 does not make it so. Before this season, what would you have said about Auburn? That they would be undefeated? That they would beat defending national champion Alabama in Tuscaloosa while erasing the largest deficit ever erased for Auburn or against Alabama?
As for the “impartial observer” bit, it’s kinda hard for you, an extremely partial view, to make that statement.
Basically, you’re a Bama fan who makes logic fit your conclusion, not the other way around. I do the same thing for Auburn. That’s just the way it is. Call a spade a spade.
rwo
December 2nd, 2010
11:11 am
Hey BAMA dud -all anyone has to do is read your posts and wonder how many years you spent in third grade? Credibility is one thing, stupidity is another.
Greg
December 2nd, 2010
11:11 am
Tony, I respect you quite a lot and read everything you write that I see.
But, disappointingly, and for the first time, you are off-base here. You maybe have even “sold-out” to the SEC and the NCAA.
Hopefully, a reporter with less to loose and more to gain will follow the smell and get to the bottom of this sordid affair.
DIT
December 2nd, 2010
11:12 am
Is there anyone out there as tired of this story as I am? The ruling is done and overwith. Let’s move on!!! Talk about beating a dead horse. All three of the AJC beat writers made a story of this. Can we please get off this subject and look at important and positive things!
BAMA dude
December 2nd, 2010
11:14 am
rwo
December 2nd, 2010
11:11 am
Hey BAMA dud -all anyone has to do is read your posts and wonder how many years you spent in third grade? Credibility is one thing, stupidity is another.
Aw, look! Somebody wants to start a flame war. As I said yesterday, I don’t fight with intellectual midgets. Won’t be acknowledging you further. Buenos dias.
Charley Pell
December 2nd, 2010
11:15 am
TB, I guess that is why the Mississippi Secretary of State, and the FBI are involved, because nothing happened. Cheatzit has got your number too!
ARdawg
December 2nd, 2010
11:15 am
DIT
the WTF are you doing on this blog?
rednilla
December 2nd, 2010
11:16 am
ARdawg: All anyone knows at this point is that somehow Cecil Newton addressed the issue of taking money for Newton’s enrollment at MSU. For all we know, he was given prospect of gaining financially from his son’s signature, and he said, “Interesting.”
At this point, it’s nothing but speculation. You guys are just grasping at any straw you can to make yourselves feel better.
rwo
December 2nd, 2010
11:16 am
WAR EAGLE and to all goodbye.
Mr. Average
December 2nd, 2010
11:17 am
Tony, should UNC be sanctioned if individual players, unbeknownst to the University, committed violations and were duly punished? And given what we know about the individuals involved and their punishments, do you see a case for lack of institutional control? Pls respond.
BAMA dude
December 2nd, 2010
11:17 am
rednilla, you ain’t going on the road with the bullseye you’ll be carrying and having another good year. Enjoy this one. LSU, Arky, USCe, UGA, Bama, Clempson, and Missy State all lost competitive games to Aubie this year and will absolutely be motivated to stomp all over whoever is wearing those colors next year. Aubie loses more talent than every one of them too.
allinder
December 2nd, 2010
11:18 am
@DIT
You can silence the press and condemn the messengers — but you can’t put this genie back in the bottle. Everyone knows now. It’s too late. This story will never go away. It’s already written into history.
rednilla
December 2nd, 2010
11:18 am
@Greg
Have you not been paying attention to the number of “journalists” who have been calling Auburn and Cam out, citing their “sources” and presenting any number of accounts of wrongdoing? ESPN has seemingly had a vendetta against us since the beginning of this mess.
And yet you “hope” that there are reporters with less to lose digging their noses in?
George Wrong
December 2nd, 2010
11:19 am
Good, well-reasoned analysis, Mr. Barnhart.
DawginLex
December 2nd, 2010
11:19 am
To further this joke:
starting at wide receiver for Auburn, a 23rd year senior
# 89 Freddie Weygand
Those of you that have been around know that this guy played for Auburn every year during the 80’s.(or it seemed so anyway)
Why not bring him back now?
BAMA dude
December 2nd, 2010
11:19 am
rednilla
December 2nd, 2010
11:16 am
ARdawg: All anyone knows at this point is that somehow Cecil Newton addressed the issue of taking money for Newton’s enrollment at MSU. For all we know, he was given prospect of gaining financially from his son’s signature, and he said, “Interesting.”
Except that’s not what the facts bear out.
At this point, it’s nothing but speculation. You guys are just grasping at any straw you can to make yourselves feel better.
Uh, I think the cliche about the black pot and kettle was coined for statements like this.
allinder
December 2nd, 2010
11:19 am
Guilty.
johnny reb
December 2nd, 2010
11:21 am
Cecil Newton said “no comment” on all issues, correct? Why would he say no comment then? Also, Carmeron said “no comment” regarding the cheating on tests at FL. A day or two later the facts came out that he cheated numerous times on tests.
rednilla
December 2nd, 2010
11:21 am
Uh, actually…it’s not grasping at straws when the ruling is that Cam is eligible.
As for the “facts”, which ones are those? All we know is that somehow Newton Sr. engaged in discussion about a pay-for-play scheme at Mississippi State.
Snarky
December 2nd, 2010
11:24 am
Like they say in the SECheat…if you ain’t cheating, you haven’t been caught. $EC $SEC $EC!
NCAA cleared this so quickly so as to avoid a TCU Stanford NC game. It’s all about the money isn’t it. Everyone knows money changes hands behind the scenes in the good ol’ boy Bama south.
BAMA dude
December 2nd, 2010
11:25 am
rednilla,
There were apparently texts from Cecil to Kenny that caused Cecil to sing in the first place. Aubies are putting way too much weight into this ruling. This is not the NCAA sounding the all clear after completing a thorough investigation. This reinstatement is nothing more than a response to the evidence Auburn has access to at this time.
Old Timer
December 2nd, 2010
11:26 am
This is the most disturbing ruling from the NCAA in a long time.
Further evidence of the stink that major college football, the SEC, and NCAA have become (along with their $100 million corporate partner, ESPN)
Everyone knows programs like Auburn, etc. cheat, and everyone knows that the SEC office supports it.
It’s the NCAA’s job to enforce it’s rules evenly and fairly.
How dissapointing in this case.
Does anyone think they would have made the same ruling if this involved a school like Cal, Stanford, Miami, GT, Arizona, Maryland, etc.?
And of course Tony defends it. He makes a living portraying himself as an insider of the game, while actually performing the job of public relations and marketing.
rednilla
December 2nd, 2010
11:27 am
Yeah. Apparently. But the phone got wet, so they don’t exist anymore. Convenient.
You should remember the whole Gadsden incident, BAMA dude. Do you happen to remember what came of it?
bleedAU
December 2nd, 2010
11:30 am
Face it….trying to prove a point and defend on an open blog? Hopeless and a waste of time. Speaking hypothetically, there could be videotape that would in some fashion vindicate Cam Newton and the faceless bloggers on here will try to poke holes in it for whatever personal agendas they have.
Who knows what will happen in the future? Doesn’t matter. Football is entertainment, a great game most of us on here love to watch. Enjoy the moment Saturday AU and USC fans whether you are at the game, at a bar, at home with friends, whatever. It will be an electric atmosphere that 10 other teams in the conference would’ve loved to be a part of.
Greg
December 2nd, 2010
11:31 am
Rednilla, you are correct. I should have written something along the lines of “thankfully, there are journalists, with less to loose and more to gain who will remain on this story and see it through to the end.”
As for a “vendetta,” Auburn chose to be Cameron Newton’s 3rd school in 3 years and must accept all the baggage that comes with “frequent-flyers” like Cameron and Cecil Newton.
Driving Ms Dooley
December 2nd, 2010
11:31 am
@MAJOR
December 2nd, 2010
7:22 am
What UGA and other fans keep forgetting here is that other schools (Tennessee and Oklahoma) both have commented that the recruitment of Newton was normal and no solicitation was made. In the Auburn case, no solicitation was made.
This is not a forum for facts or reasoning so lets just not talk about rational things on here.
This is a forum for speculation, conspiracy and investigate’n the rumors that have to be true because the NCAA is always out to cheat somebody–mostly Georgia. I’m absolutely amazed at this army of civilian detetectives, stirred into a mob frezy by the “REAL SCAM–JOE SCHAD”. Every day it’s something new–or old facts re-interpreted by the masses of haters.
Give it a rest already. This kid has had the most dominant season of any plater in memory and its been ruined by the ambition of THE REAL SCAM–JOE SCHAD. He has consistantly encouraged viewers to read between the lines of his stories. I’m very disappointed in ESPN for not jerking on his leash long ago. If you want conspiracy or agenda, I’d look to ESPN
Kendall
December 2nd, 2010
11:31 am
To all of the Georgia fans who are soooooo upset about Nick Fairley and Auburn….please WATCH the clip on YouTube from the AU/GA game and see who throws punches FIRST and never got called for it. Georgia’s #60! Watch it and then hush about the game because your team started the whole thing. Your WHOLE team came off the bench. YOUR team got away with it, Auburn got the penalties and almost lost the AU/AL game because of our two players sitting on the bench. Enjoy the fact that Georgia didn’t get called for the punches and drop it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKEUWT_PEhg
rednilla
December 2nd, 2010
11:32 am
Very well said, BleedAU. On that note, I think I’m going to let the flamers flame and get back to my life.
Greg
December 2nd, 2010
11:33 am
Old Timer, you “nailed it.”
Joey
December 2nd, 2010
11:33 am
Still trying to figure out how AJ got 4 games suspension for selling his own property to a collecter. What if he had sold his, say, bedsheets to the same guy? Would he still have gotten suspended?
When the FBI hands over the wiretaps from the bribery case involving the Auburn boosters, 2 of which (Milton McGregor, Robert Geddie) have already been arrested, the crap is gonna hit the fan at Auburn:
http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/messagetopic.asp?p=22778676
djfurther
December 2nd, 2010
11:33 am
What’s wrong about the ruling is that any parent can shop their kid for cash to a school w/o fear of penalty of the NCAA…as long as the kid doesn’t know anything about it…they have set the precident.
===========
You forgot to add: AND NO MONEY EVER CHANGES HANDS. People conveniently forget this fact. Get over it, he is eligible.