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
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 1st, 2010
10:24 pm
Sautee Dawg ask his wife what she thinks about Damon BIG PIMP’N and DRUNK in da ATL with a young white chick in his BMW.
Jeff knows all
December 1st, 2010
10:24 pm
Yeah Jeff. Everyone agrees with you. If I am big time booster of any college program I am already contacting aunts, uncles, coaches etc. etc. of every big time recruit in the country. Buy influence with family but don’t let the kid find out and we are in the clear. What a Joke.
http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/feed/2010-09/enes-kanter/story/why-isnt-enes-kanter-getting-the-same-break-cam-newton-is
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=5872192&sportCat=ncf
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/02/sports/ncaafootball/02auburn.html
“I hate to see the kid get punished if he’s a good kid,” said Tom Izzo, Michigan State’s basketball coach. “But, man, is it going open a Pandora’s box? Now you can go shop someone and see what you can get for them and then make a decision.”
“Cam Newton’s dad is not alone in this process,” said Brock Huard, an ESPN commentator and former quarterback at Washington. “He’s not the lone wolf out there who has an unbelievable talent with a son. That sets a very dangerous precedent.”
AUFan
December 1st, 2010
10:24 pm
“We have an entire month left this year to allow Georgia to double their win total with their arrests!”
AWESOME!!!!!!! UGA leads the SEC in players arrested.
Parkview 02
December 1st, 2010
10:24 pm
Shopping your kid doesn’t have the risk I thought it did. Should be a lot more parents giving it a try. Not sure the NCAA did the right thing with this.
Sugg Id
December 1st, 2010
10:24 pm
So, basically the moral of the story is: pimp your son for huge sums, but only accept a deferred payment – most likely in 3 years if he amounts to anything, but 4 at the most, once his eligibility is up. Get it in writing, even. As long as you don’t take the payment while he’s an “amateur”, everything’s golden. Right, Shultzie?????
Willy
December 1st, 2010
10:24 pm
not as dumb as an Auburn fan…..
Hairy Dawg
December 1st, 2010
10:25 pm
The NCAA rarely finishes an investigation like this during a football season. That fact, and that fact alone, justifies their decision to reinstate Cam Newton for the remainder of this season. Besides, you can’t rule the kid ineligible now, right? There’s too much money to be made off of having him play in the BCS title game. (If Auburn gets there, of course.) And hey, the NCAA can always go back afterwards and rule him ineligible, thereby stripping Auburn of anything they happen to win.
I never thought for a second that Cam Newton would miss a minute of this season. The fact that he’s going pro after this year means that Auburn (and anybody else wrapped up in this) is going to pay the price for this kid and the greedy handlers who controlled him.
flagboy?
December 1st, 2010
10:25 pm
Steve
December 1st, 2010
10:16 pm
THERE’S NO LOOPHOLE.
MONEY WAS NEVER PAID – ANYWHERE. duh
___________________________________________________
I guess the two authors of articles on ESPN and SI that say this “opened a giant loophole” should read this blog.
AUFan
December 1st, 2010
10:26 pm
Willy
I would be shocked if you could walk and chew gum at the same time.
Hmmm
December 1st, 2010
10:26 pm
“Awe, poor whiny dawg fan.”
You say “whiny” I say facts. I started counting your “responses” at 9:16PM, stopped at 9:32PM and there were only 2 minutes in which you did not post. You say “whiny dawg fan” I say “seriously obsessed with this blog AUFan”
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 1st, 2010
10:26 pm
Perry Mason The FBI will listen to the bombing talk but not act until they attempt to buy the material to make the Bomb.
AUFan
December 1st, 2010
10:27 pm
“And hey, the NCAA can always go back afterwards and rule him ineligible, thereby stripping Auburn of anything they happen to win.”
Yeah, that makes about as much sense as hitting your hand with a hammer.
Bama Bill
December 1st, 2010
10:28 pm
This fact proven illegal shopping of Newton by his Dad is just the tip of the iceberg ! The real question is why did Florida let such a talented player get away and not even recruit him back after the JC expereince ? The answer is obvious – far too much baggage and certain probation for team that bought Newton – so long Auburn – you bought yourself into real problems.
flagboy?
December 1st, 2010
10:28 pm
The investigation is still open.
AUFan
December 1st, 2010
10:28 pm
Hmmm
You must be under the false impression that I care what you think.
Parkview 02
December 1st, 2010
10:28 pm
Shopping your kid looks pretty easy to me, and very little risk. NCA seems to be turning a blind eye to it for some reason.
Hmmm
December 1st, 2010
10:29 pm
AUFAN
your response shows that you do
AUFan
December 1st, 2010
10:29 pm
Bama Bill
How’s it feel to be the “other team” in Alabama?
You are acting like a little red headed step child.
Gumby
December 1st, 2010
10:29 pm
If Auburn wins it all this will leave an * next to it just like Barry Bonds and the ‘97 Marlins.
AUFan
December 1st, 2010
10:29 pm
“your response shows that you do”
Huh?
You cant be that Stupid
December 1st, 2010
10:30 pm
The simple fact that he asked for money ,it doesnt matter whom he asked, or even if he recieved anything from it. Once it was reported by a member school it is a NCAA violation and makes him ineligible.
Why is this so hard to understand?
Sautee Dawg
December 1st, 2010
10:30 pm
War Damn Eagle
THUGA as you pronounced it, puts a big % of those thugs on NFL rosters. Over 60 currently in the NFL. You can count the AWBARN NFL players currrently playing on one hand.
AUFan
December 1st, 2010
10:31 pm
“If Auburn wins it all this will leave an * next to it just like Barry Bonds and the ‘97 Marlins.”
Not if there isn’t any proof. Also, there isn’t an * after the 97 Marlins.
Hmmm
December 1st, 2010
10:31 pm
“Huh?”
it means go to bed
DSCR
December 1st, 2010
10:31 pm
If no one at MSST had spoken to Rogers in 15 or 20 years, why did MSST have to issue a disassociation with him? Why did the MSST AD slip out of town right after this violation occured, a year ago…..IN STARKVILLE? There are still plenty of unanswered questions.
Here’s my take, and it is JUST AS FACTUAL AS ANY OF THE CRAP YOU HATERS BELIEVE!
Rogers tried to use the Newtons to shake down MSST. Cecil was already shaky with Mullen, cause Mullen was the one that was SUPPOSED to be taking care of his son when he screwed up in Gainesville. This was a kid that screwed up and Dad was trying to straighten him out. Thus, isolation at Blinn.
So, during recruitment out of Blinn, Cecil has reservations about MSST. I mean, Mullen was SUPPOSED to be watching out for Cam when he got in trouble in Gainesville. Rogers had latched on by this point. Cecil tells Rogers about his reservations about MSST. Rogers is afraid he is going to lose his payday. Rogers is hoping for payment from someone, but he had not worked AU. Then this rogers wipe brings up money to Cecil. Cecil let him talk, seeing where it was going. Cecil played along to see how far up it went. Cecil says its gonna take more than a scholarship to get Cam. Things like a veteran offensive line, a chance to compete for a championship in the next 2 years, an innovative offense, a place close to Newnan so he can keep an eye on things this time. But most of all, a family atmosphere that will help keep Cam on track, coaches that dont let their players run wild. So no. No MSST, and no money. I dont want Cam to be a RENTED MULE. Rogers tries to negotiate the price to the MSST BOOSTERS. Trying to salvage a pay day. “Well, how bout $100K”.
Mullen KEEPS RECRUITING CAM for at least 3 weeks. Mullen doesnt know about Rogers or his attempt to extort money from MSST BOOSTERS. He has no idea why CECIL is suddenly COLD. Rogers is piXXed. He tells Cecil that he recorded conversations about money and if Cam doesnt go to MSST, he will just out the whole thing and ruin Cams eligibility. Cecil goes to AU and tells all and asks for help. AU reports to the SEC, investigates, clears Cam and stands by their new family member.
Remember, NOBODY yet knew what Cam could do, what a player he would become. NO ONE would pay for a previously troubled, unproven kid with lots of potential. NO ONE! Not MSST. Not OU, Not TN. Not AU. No One! Mr Newton was just trying to get him the best opportunity for the next 2 years. Why did this occur in Starkville only? Because Rogers thought he could get a pay day there. Rogers is the key. NFL, Agents, he is already on the FBI radar.
Cecil declares “Its Auburn”. Cam signs with AU. Recruitment over. To calm an upset Cam down and give him some understanding, he tells Cam about Rogers trying to buy Cam’s recruitment for MSST. Cam is sad and calls to tell MSST the bad news. He tells the Mullem Mrs, “The money was too much, offering money was not the right thing”. She tells Dan, he pokes around and says “Hey, it wasnt us, it was that rogers/agent guy. MSST then proceeds to do the right thing and send off a quick, incomplete report to the SEC, cause you never know when that crap head Rogers will try extortion. Maybe this will slide under the rug and not come back on MSST. Mr Newton was PIXXED and thought we were behind it.
Alas, too late. Cecil decides AU to insure a positive and legal experience.
Do I have PROOF of this? Just as much as anyone of you has proof of specific wrong doing. ALL THE FACTS ARE NOT KNOWN PUBLICLY, and MAY NEVER BE! For example, I have yet to see actual, public PROOF that Cecil actually initiated the money talks. Did he do something wrong? Well, something, for sure. But we don’t know what. We have conjecture. We have innuendo. Someone has proof of whatever it was, maybe.. But none of you clowns have any proof of anything but your own self righteousness and sad attacks. The truth will eventually come out. Whatever it is. But at this moment, YOU DONT KNOW JACK! Yes, your jealously, resentment and mean spirited attitudes are obvious. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU would be defending your player and your school IF Cam was going through this there. If you deny this, I call you a bald face liar.
bugsquacher
December 1st, 2010
10:31 pm
I say every college eligible kid should be shopped by their parents to see who would pay the most money for their kid. Dont tell the kid. Make the deal behind their back, pay off later.
I think the NCAA just made shopping high school atheletes legal…..as long as the kid doesnt know….
Smart move NCAA
UGAGrad99
December 1st, 2010
10:31 pm
I agree a lot of schools do things that are under the table. I still remember a picture on the front of the AJC showing Andre Hastings and Garrison Hearst standing next to matching 240Z’s. No, I don’t think both their families used their not needed college funds to pay for the cars. I just hate that a school may not get a chance to play for the championship because after the fact an ineligible player was used. AU fans need to just look at 2004 to know what it is like to get screwed out of a chance for the championship.
LADY
December 1st, 2010
10:32 pm
HEY…aufAN…….. Did you finish HS?? Do you have a life??
AUFan
December 1st, 2010
10:32 pm
“You can count the AWBARN NFL players currrently playing on one hand.”
You have over 30 fingers on one hand?
NatCoruptAcceptAssoc
December 1st, 2010
10:32 pm
Cam-a-Lot, one of the first rules of legal interpretation is to assign, whenever possible, the ordinary meaning to words. Whether agree moves one to contract is an open question.
Law of Contracts: A contract requires at minimum requires an offer and an acceptance without deviation from the terms of the offer. The intent of the parties control. Seems as if that may have been the case here. And then, there was a breach of the contract. Certainly, to require a fully formalized contract would render the rule a nullity.
So, at minimum, the guy should not have played a game until reinstated. Wondering what happens to the victories gained while using an ineligible player. Note that ineligible status begins with the act not at the discovery or ruling. Therefore, if Auburn keeps these victories, FSU, USC and any number of other schools need to get in line for the return of their forfeited victories.
I believe the NCAA would have retained more integrity to taken no action than to make this lame attempt to pull the wool. Now the NCAA looks as dirty as Auburn, Cam, Cecil and our beloved SEC commish.
Really, really disgusted and I am not a UGA fan.
Black & White Out
December 1st, 2010
10:32 pm
I heard that FBI wiretaps caught Mark Richt planning a black and white out for the Liberty Bowl. Luckily 11 of his players already have the striped apparel.
AUFan
December 1st, 2010
10:33 pm
LADY
Are you out of Midol?
AUFan
December 1st, 2010
10:33 pm
“Really, really disgusted and I am not a UGA fan.”
Maybe you should go protest.
K. Conway
December 1st, 2010
10:33 pm
Bunch of crooks at Auburn! it will show in the end!
AU Fanboy
December 1st, 2010
10:34 pm
AU Alum behind it all …
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/wacky/hes-the-worlds-ulgiest-mug-shot/story-e6frev20-1225770960326
AUFan
December 1st, 2010
10:34 pm
“AU fans need to just look at 2004 to know what it is like to get screwed out of a chance for the championship.”
There were two undefeated teams ahead of Auburn in 2004. We are number one now.
flagboy?
December 1st, 2010
10:35 pm
there was the report that Cam Newton called up recruiters/coaches at MSU to say something along the lines of “the money was too much” at Auburn when he said he wasn’t going to Miss St. . . Who was it that first reported that? Schlabaugh (spelling?) at ESPN? I guess that bit of reporting never came up to be true or had someone to stick with it.
AU Troll
December 1st, 2010
10:35 pm
nothing better to do, than defend Cam Cam… Sure you will be the first at the tickle pile
AUFan
December 1st, 2010
10:36 pm
flagboy?
So where’s the evidence?
Gumby
December 1st, 2010
10:36 pm
Since what the NCAA did is all about money anyone who truly believes what the NCAA has done is wrong should boycott watching the BCS championship if the Bobby Lowder Tigers get that far. Make it the lowest watched BCS championship in BCS history. Money talks….as Auburn and Cam well know.
UGA PRESEASON NUMBER ONE 2008
December 1st, 2010
10:38 pm
WE’Z GONE WINNED US DA NATIOANL CAHMPIOHSIOP IN 2008 WOOF WOOF AUBARN FANS IS STUPID AND CANT SPELL WERDS!!!!!!! HA HA I’M FUNNY CAUSE I IZ A DAWG FAN!!!!!!
KB
December 1st, 2010
10:38 pm
Just let him play. If the investigation continues as said, they’ll just have to revoke any wins. Sucks for S.C. (if they happen to lose, which they probably will) but there’s really no other recourse without sufficient evidence. Whether or not they believe Cam knew about doesn’t matter if you can’t prove it, and I applaud that. There needs to be rigor in investigation, and it’s pretty clear from a lot of these comments that either 1) many folks here don’t adhere to rigorous standards for investigation and facts and/or 2) the only rigor evident is perhaps mental rigor mortis.
–not an AU fan
Jim Donnan
December 1st, 2010
10:38 pm
Anyone know where I can get a job?
AU Fan
December 1st, 2010
10:39 pm
Been beefing up for cam/cam
http://en.ce.cn/World/Americas/200802/17/W020080217359109414148.jpg
NEWTONS LAW(WAR EAGLE)
December 1st, 2010
10:39 pm
DAWG…when is the last time you guys played for the BCS NATIONAL TITLE?
JEALOUS ARE YA
Counting is Hard
December 1st, 2010
10:39 pm
THUGA as you pronounced it, puts a big % of those thugs on NFL rosters. Over 60 currently in the NFL
Per the site below, the actual count is 37, can you please show your work on getting to 60?
http://espn.go.com/nfl/college/_/letter/g
Ray Goff
December 1st, 2010
10:39 pm
There’s no one on Earth who is a bigger UGA fan than me! WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I WANT MY JOB BACK!!!!!!!!!!
UGAGrad99
December 1st, 2010
10:39 pm
“AU fans need to just look at 2004 to know what it is like to get screwed out of a chance for the championship.”
There were two undefeated teams ahead of Auburn in 2004. We are number one now.
One of those teams used an ineligible player and the championship is vacated. Wouldn’t you have liked to had a chance to play for it?
Bodda Getta
December 1st, 2010
10:40 pm
Gumby,
This will be the most watched BCS Championship Game ever.
They will tune in to watch Cam Newton.
Meatloaf
December 1st, 2010
10:40 pm
The major difference between Reggie Bush and Cameron Newton is yahoo.com broke the story and the NCAA had to react, very slowly, and do something about the blatant and obvious rules infractions. Since there is no smoking gun here, only a very plausible rationale that Mississippi State don’t pony up as much as Auburn, the NCAA conducted a cursory investigation and then proclaim Cameron innocent to keep egg from getting on their face again. There’s a reason Cameron’s dad told him not to go to Mississippi State and head to Auburn. Just because the NCAA crack pot investigative team didn’t figure out why doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. I knew Auburn would get away with it but that doesn’t mean for a second I think they’re innocent.