Stop whining: NCAA got it right on Cam Newton, Auburn
Cam Newton can go ahead of celebrate. The NCAA ruled that he and Auburn are in the clear.
Let me start this by declaring that I’m as cynical as the next person — OK, perhaps a little more — and I’m absolutely convinced there was a second gunman in the grassy knoll and there’s something about Area 51 that the government is not telling us.
But listen up: The NCAA got it right.
It could not suspend Cam Newton based on he whispered/he whispered.
It could not place Auburn on probation based on the fact the father of its star player admitted that he solicited money from ANOTHER school.
It could not significantly punish any athlete or institution based on what we all THINK must have happened simply because that’s what our suspicious mind tells us.
This whole saga has been one of the strangest NCAA investigations I can remember, in part because the athlete’s current school (Auburn) never was even connected to the allegations.
I know. Our head tells us: It’s Auburn. It’s the SEC. It’s big-time college football with big-time shenanigans. We’ve been exposed to so much of it in the past that we’ve come to believe that every player, coach, administrator and booster have been have been tainted. This story is even better than most because it involved a father allegedly pimping his kid . . . and he’s a minister!
At some point, you expected a Kardashian to show up on Toomers Corner.
But take a breath and, just for a moment, follow me through the levels of this thing. Then I’ll address why I don’t believe this can be compared to other recent cases, including the one at USC and A.J. Green’s suspension:
♦ Question: Did Cecil Newton, Cam’s father, solicit money from Mississippi State for his son’s services? Answer: Yes. INFRACTION.
♦ Question: Did Cam Newton know his father solicited an offer? Answer: Based on a lack of evidence, no. (If you want to assume otherwise, fine. But let’s just say I’m aware of situations where children did not know of things their parents did. Whether you consider that a longshot or not, the bottom line is that it can’t be proven.)
♦ Question: Did Cecil Newton receive money? Answer: Based on a lack of evidence, no.
♦ Question: Did Cam Newton receive money? Answer: Based on a lack of evidence, no.
♦ Question: Did Cam or Cecil Newton solicit an offer from Auburn? Answer: Based on a lack of evidence, no.
♦ Question: Did Cam or Cecil Newton receive money from Auburn. Answer: Based on a lack of evidence, no.
That’s it. There’s nothing else.
Now, should the NCAA continue to investigate this thing and discover that somebody in the Auburn athletic department or a big-bucks booster slipped a fat envelope under Cam’s door or paid for new floors and sheetrock in Cecil’s new church, then all bets are off.
But that’s not where we are right now.
Now, as for comparing Newton to other cases, I’ve been hearing from USC and Georgia fans all day and night and reading comments on line from various stunned officials, including USC athletic director Pat Haden. But this case is so not those cases. Consider:
♦ Newton vs. USC: Really? Fact: Reggie Bush’s parents received thousands of dollars in benefits from an agent. They lived in a home rent-free for one year. A USC assistant coach, Todd McNair, was tied directly to the case when the NCAA ruled he had knowledge of Bush’s dealings with agents. For whiny Trojan fans to be comparing their case to the Cam Newton case is completely nonsensical.
♦ Newton vs. A.J. Green: Really? Fact: Green sold his Independence Bowl jersey for $1,000. That’s a violation, even if he sold it to you. The fact that he sold to a person that the NCAA classified as an agent increased the suspension to four games. (Best estimate: It would’ve been two games otherwise.) It has not been found that Cam and Cecil Newton received anything (or sold his Blinn Community College jersey).
♦ Newton vs. Damon Stoudamire: This is a very similar case, as laid out by SportsByBrooks, in which the father of the former Arizona basketball star was accused by the NCAA of accepting a plane ticket from an agent in 1995. Stoudamire denied knowing about his father’s alleged transaction. The father denied taking the ticket. The NCAA suspended the player for a game, then reinstated him just before the NCAA tournament. But here’s where the cases go in different directions. The agent in question, Steve Feldman, ultimately admitted he gave airplane tickets to Stoudamire’s father. The father had to reiumburse him. The NCAA believed to other penalty was warranted. Coversely, there is no paper trail or evidence of any kind in the Newton case.
Some believe the NCAA has opened a giant loophole with this ruling — the thinking being that now every dad can go out and pimp his kid to universities, then just claim the kid knew nothing about it. The only problem with that theory is — again — Cecil Newton was not found to have taken anything.
If a father puts his son up for bidding and actually accepts a payment, effectively closing the deal, it really doesn’t matter whether the son knew or not. The athlete is ineligible. It’s like saying you want to rob a bank without ever doing it.
So enough with the NCAA bashing. They got it right. You can’t convict on conjecture.
♦
Recent episodes . . .
♦ Gruden to Miami would be manna for starving ACC
♦ Falcons are winning because they’re following Mike Smith
♦ Surprise! Spurrier proves South Carolina can be a player in SEC
♦ Alabama staffer fired for mocking Cam Newton with songs
♦
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1,356 comments Add your comment
Cam Newton
December 2nd, 2010
11:48 am
“Awww SNAP, Nick – let go buy me ’bout 100,000 blue head bands wit dis money!”
Nova Roars
December 2nd, 2010
11:49 am
AU Fan
Well we’ve all heard of the new Urban Dictionary. I just wasn’t aware that Publisher’s Clearing House has issued a thUGA dictionary. Learn something new every day.
chillahill43
December 2nd, 2010
11:50 am
states burr- get off the bong man… Step away from the crack pipe…. The voices you here are from 1980 .. 2010 YOU are not relevant and neither are your Butt sniffing graduate brothers and sisters… GO LEG HUMPERS WOOOF WOOOF
StatesBurr
December 2nd, 2010
11:50 am
“Vince you realize you went to Auburn , Right?”
Uh, Chill..That wasn’t really Vince..it was …never mind.
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
11:50 am
“The NCAA should be looked into by the Federal Government”
Yeah, Obama sure does have a great track record when he gets the federal government involved.
HEY, maybe he can order our troops to invade Indy!
Hey Schultz....................
December 2nd, 2010
11:51 am
What would you like for Christmas this year…. maybe some HAIR?
chillahill43
December 2nd, 2010
11:52 am
BARBARA?
StatesBurr
December 2nd, 2010
11:52 am
Chill: Yes , but we smacked your aZZ’s the past four years….
Next?
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
11:52 am
“What would you like for Christmas this year…. maybe some HAIR?”
UGA fans are such lovely people.
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
11:53 am
I cry whenever Cam blows kisses to the crowd. It so great to be a warrr eagle.
chillahill43
December 2nd, 2010
11:53 am
State– Help me bruther!!! you mean these are not the real peoples names.. Dang and ive been using my .. oh never mind back at ya….
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
11:54 am
Thanks for stealing my blog handle, jarvis. Classy!
King's Queen
December 2nd, 2010
11:54 am
Face it, the NCAA just want to forgive and forget. They had rather give maximum punishment to someone like A.J. over a $1,000 jersey than to come down on Cam who received (99% likely based on the $180,000 request to Missy St.) hundreds of thousands of dollars from Auburn.
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
11:54 am
IF ANY OF YOU LOSERS WANT TO FIGHT, MEET ME AT THE DOME THIS SATURDAY. I WILL BE THE FAT GUY WITH THE 4XXXL ORANGE “AU” T-SHIRT ON IN SECTION 200. I WILL TAILGATING BY MYSELF.
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
11:55 am
King’s Queen
Get over it. UGA sucks.
chillahill43
December 2nd, 2010
11:55 am
and the last 80 years Auburn is in the lead….. MEOW MEOW.. And oh Chill in 1980 we won the NC oh and in 1945 we had a guy punt the ball 88 yards and in 1933 we…… BLAH BLAH BLAH
its 2010 What 6 teams AZZES did you kick in 2010.. AUBURN? ARKANSAS? COLORADO..
Dude REALLY?
Nova Roars
December 2nd, 2010
11:55 am
King’s Queen
December 2nd, 2010
11:48 am
“You have proof from Missy State and Cam’s father that Cam’s father solicited money for Cam to play at Missy State. This is a fact.”
It’s real easy to prove. It’s as simple as Rogers calling his cell phone carrier and requesting a record of text messages.
“Baloney. Simply check the bank accounts and finances of Cam’s father,relatives,etc. and any deposits or big purchases (homes,expensive auto’s,etc). will prove guilt or innocence.”
Gee. I guess the NCAA and FBI never thought of that. Wow. It’s possible you have found yourself a new career as an investigator!
By the way….CAM drives a Moped around campus. Last time I heard, it’s not made of gold either.
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
11:55 am
Hey Jeff
Do you tolerate inbred UGA fans who steal other blog names?
Thanks-Real AU Fan
King's Queen
December 2nd, 2010
11:55 am
I’m a Bama fan.
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
11:56 am
“CAM drives a Moped around campus.”
Yep, it’s hardly the 1980 Trans Am that Herchell Walker drove.
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
11:56 am
“I’m a Bama fan.”
Sucks for you then.
Real AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
11:57 am
ANYONE WANT TO PARTY AT THE BUCKETSHOP TONIGHT?????
I WILL BUY, SOMEONE… ANYONE……
King's Queen
December 2nd, 2010
11:57 am
Nova, at this point with the NCAA & SEC cover up I doubt they will look into anything…
StatesBurr
December 2nd, 2010
11:57 am
Its been pretty fun..AUFan-Nova-Chill-Headly but gotta hit the rack.
Gotta love SEC football.
Nova Roars
December 2nd, 2010
11:58 am
To the dumba$$ puppy stealing AU Fan’s handle, nice try but you can’t immitate perfection. Whatever you do, just don’t misspell the word “embarrass”. We’ll never know the difference otherwise. (snicker)
King's Queen
December 2nd, 2010
11:58 am
Yeah, it really sucked last year when we won the Championship. When Oregon skins yer azz it will suck for you.
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
11:58 am
“NCAA & SEC cover up”
Oh goody, we have ourselves a genuine conspiracy theorist.
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
11:59 am
“When Oregon skins yer azz it will suck for you.”
I bet you thought Bama, LSU, Arkansas, Miss State, Kentucky, USC and UGAY would do the same thing……………
As I say every week: NEXT!!!!!!
chillahill43
December 2nd, 2010
11:59 am
PIck Me PICK ME!!! You mean they play football somewhere else.. There is only one real Football and that would be S.E.C… State You are the man SEC football it is till the day I die BABY.. till the day I die
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
12:00 pm
Bama did skin us alive last year. We have sucked a good while until this year. Cam Newton has saved us. He’s innocent.
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
12:01 pm
Well, I gotta run.
jarvis, you stay classy now, ya hear!
Nova Roars
December 2nd, 2010
12:01 pm
King’s Queen
December 2nd, 2010
11:57 am
Nova, at this point with the NCAA & SEC cover up I doubt they will look into anything…
*************
What cover up? The bank records were reviewed. The text messages can be retrieved if they ever existed in the first place. Seems pretty cut and dry to me.
Nova Roars
December 2nd, 2010
12:01 pm
Check ya later AU FAN!! Enjoyed!
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
12:02 pm
Just kidding. I ain’t going anywhere. I’ll just change names and stay here all week…
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
12:02 pm
“Bama did skin us alive last year. We have sucked a good while until this year. Cam Newton has saved us. He’s innocent.”
If you’re going to try to imitate me, at least attempt to write like I do.
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
12:02 pm
“Check ya later AU FAN!! Enjoyed!”
Yep, I love irritating Bama and UGAY fans.
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
12:03 pm
I’m a psycho. I need help. I’m AU Fan,Nova,Fred,Larry,everyone. Its just me and Schultz here period.
What if . . .
December 2nd, 2010
12:03 pm
. . . the QB in question was an Alabama QB? And what if the Rev. in question pimped his kid to Alabama? Then the Auburn homers would be raising all kinds of hell, and not just about the pay for play deal. They’d condemn the blatant late hits, the dirty team, the dirty coach, etc. Auburn has become the new “Thug U” with fairly dancing, their coach cheering him on, their QB at the ATM machine, and showing no humility. Next time SCam blows ya’ll a kiss, remember, he’s kissing ya’ll goodbye because by the time the _____ hits the fan, he’ll be looooooooong gone. This board is a disgrace, as is AU.
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
12:04 pm
Now I’m What If… You catching on yet ?
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
12:05 pm
I have a great personality AND I am very charming. The ladies love me.
Nova Roars
December 2nd, 2010
12:05 pm
AU Fan
Yep..I know about that name changing myself. Some puppy thinks they’re being clever by cyberjacking our handle because we get the better of them and we’re supposed to get pissed off. Not. ****smirk****
Dylan
December 2nd, 2010
12:05 pm
I always liked your articles, Mr. Schultz, but you are way off on this one. You have no idea what this is going to turn into. Parents will be selling their kids left and right and telling people their sons had no knowledge of the actions now. The NCAA has just opened up a can of worms, and they’re gonna pay dearly for it.
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
12:05 pm
MY MOMMY SAYS I AM HANDSOME
Seriously??
December 2nd, 2010
12:06 pm
Hey Dawg4life — Ill answer your question for you.
“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.”
You asked where this DOESNT apply to Cam Newton. Since you went to UGA it’s probably not obvious to you, so I’ll have to point it out to you. The words above “receives or agrees to receive…..”
A) They didnt receive any money. A very deep investigation of their personal and church financials, PROOVED that.
B) They didnt “agree” to receive any money because no money was offered to them. His low-life dad’s fishing for money didn’t net any offers. You can’t agree to receive something that you were never offered to begin with.
Hope that helps.
War Eagle!!!!
Randy
December 2nd, 2010
12:06 pm
Cam was involved in this as well.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/01/AR2010120106870.html
Nova Roars
December 2nd, 2010
12:07 pm
What if
Your batteries are running low and you’re droning.
AU Fan
December 2nd, 2010
12:08 pm
Alabama fans are KKK
Georgia fans are irrelevant
Me so smart and witty
Randy
December 2nd, 2010
12:08 pm
Newtons dad got 1 million it’s buried here.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101201/ap_on_bi_ge/us_fed_crisis_lending
Nova Roars
December 2nd, 2010
12:09 pm
“If you’re going to try to imitate me, at least attempt to write like I do.”
Like I said, she can’t imitate perfection.
DawginLex
December 2nd, 2010
12:09 pm
1200 posts?
congrats Jeff
Still BS on your explanation.
Sit across a table from me with a straight face and tell me this story.
It’s is baloney.
It ain’t over either.