NCAA right to end investigation into Cam Newton, Auburn
Cam Newton can celebrate another victory. The NCAA has closed the book on its investigation.
The conspiracy theories won’t end. But the NCAA says its investigation into Cam Newton’s recruitment by Auburn is over.
College’s football’s relative governing body announced Wednesday it was closing the book on Newton and Auburn after conducting “more than 80 interviews,” apparently none of whom claimed — and could verify — that they were offered money, took money or had a cash register receipt for somebody who did.
Go ahead and whine. But I’m not sure how you can fault the NCAA on this. There is little question the NCAA, for all of the criticism it has received over the past several months on how it has handled this, would have nailed Auburn and/or Newton if it could have. The NCAA is not above wanting to make a big show of things.
The problem: There’s simply no evidence of wrongdoing.
Here’s a copy of the NCAA’s statement:
After conducting more than 80 interviews, the NCAA has concluded its investigation into Auburn University. The NCAA enforcement staff is committed to a fair and thorough investigative process. As such, any allegations of major rules violations must meet a burden of proof, which is a higher standard than rampant public speculation online and in the media. The allegations must be based on credible and persuasive information and includes a good-faith belief that the Committee on Infractions could make a finding. As with any case, should the enforcement staff become aware of additional credible information, it will review the information to determine whether further investigation is warranted.
Yes, we know that Newton’s father, the pastor Cecil “Huggy Bear” Newton Sr. tried to pimp his son out to the highest bidder. The NCAA found back in December of 2010 that Cecil attempted to solicit a large payment, reportedly $180,000, from Mississippi State in exchange for assurances that his son would transfer there from a junior college, bringing his football talents with him.
For this NCAA violation, Newton was ruled ineligible — unbeknownst everybody at the time. He then was reinstated in time for Auburn’s SEC championship game three days later, when the whole bizarre chain of events was disclosed. The NCAA was criticized at the time for not declaring Newton ineligible for the season. But it ruled that there was insufficient evidence that Cam Newton was aware of his father’s actions.
Now, if you wish to debate the logic of that, that’s fine. But what you think you may know is not exactly considered admissible evidence in a court of law. And there certainly never has been a evidence of wrongdoing by Auburn in all of this, despite what buffoons like Danny Sheridan might claim on radio shows.
Jackie Thurns, the NCAA’s associate director of enforcement, sent an email to Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs on Tuesday that outlined its 13-month investigation into the Tigers, not just regarding Newton but allegations of impermissible inducements and extra benefits connected to four other players: Raven Gray, Stanley McGlover, Chaz Ramsey and Troy Reddick. All made allegations on HBO’s “Real Sports” show called, “Dirty Money,” but nothing could be substantiated.
If anybody committed a crime, they did an excellent job wiping away the finger prints.
College football stirs emotions here in the South, and nobody stirred them more last year than Newton during Auburn’s unexpected run to a national championship. But the contention of many that Newton should not have been eligible to win the Heisman Trophy (which he did) and Auburn should not have been allowed to play for the SEC and BCS titles (which it did, and won) were baseless.
Many will vent about this, as they have for months. There will be angry comments from fans and flaming comments from a few major media outlets that quoted double-secret sources of Newton’s guilt and Auburn’s finger prints.
But the NCAA made the right decision here. The last time I checked, we don’t convict in this country on a juicy theory.
By Jeff Schultz
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558 comments Add your comment
NCAA Critic
October 12th, 2011
6:15 pm
Great news! Now the NCAA can focus its attention on the track and field athletes who are selling their shoelaces on craigslist.
Breaking News....
October 12th, 2011
6:16 pm
And they found another Mohican!!
UGA Banker
October 12th, 2011
6:19 pm
We know…wink, wink!
Tossed Salad
October 12th, 2011
6:19 pm
It pays to cheat. Congrats, barners.
Rafe Hollister
October 12th, 2011
6:20 pm
Cam didn’t know Pa was shopping him. Right!
suwaneegeorgia
October 12th, 2011
6:23 pm
Jeff,
You are incorrect on a few things. first off, the NCAA is NOT a court that must abide by any real legal standards. There is no burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt or anything else. To believe what the NCAA is saying is to believe that Huggy Bear pimped out his son (and I believe that this was verified) for the sum of $180k but that he went to AU for nothing. Nothing. That is just not a credible argument.
Second, and this may not be your inaccuracy but more the ncaa’s illogical conclusion–how can the ncaa rule someone ineligible for a very serious action and then rule the very next day that he has instantly been reinstated and that no wrongdoing was found? If there was no wrongdoing, then why rule him ineligible to begin with? that’s asinine.
Third, where has it EVER been interpreted that ncaa violations involving benefits ONLY are ok IF the athlete knows what his family members are doing on his behalf? A violation is a violation regardless whether or not Cam knew about it. The inconsistency here is just damning in my view.
Curious George
October 12th, 2011
6:24 pm
Can’t they just END AUBURN instead?
War Dam National Champs
October 12th, 2011
6:24 pm
It will always be a “deserved title” because it was won on the field….PERIOD!! It’s so easy to hide behind the anonymity of the Internet and make snide comments because you don’t need EVIDENCE to back up your claims! Anyone can get on a blog and make a claim but when it comes to NCAA investigations you need PROOF!! The NCAA is always ready to drop the hammer but there has to be something behind the “claims”….plain and simple
Larry Wayne Jones Jr.
October 12th, 2011
6:25 pm
Suck it Leghumpers and Crimpson Turds!! What will your next batch of lies be?
Convinced
October 12th, 2011
6:27 pm
Once again, the Dawg Nation is the most insecure, jealous bunch of fans in the SEC. AU was cleared. Newton brought his A game to AU, which he continues to do at Carolina. Give credit where credit is due and quit whining. This chapter is closed. There is no conspiracy. There is no puppet master pulling the strings of the NCAA. Fact – there is a shiny crystal football sitting in a trophy case that was EARNED. End of story.
Got Rope?
October 12th, 2011
6:31 pm
I’ve got rope for dawg fans who’d like to hang themselves. No death penalty, *guffaw* now please get over Cam and the Auburn Tigers. Please and thanks.
Overhead Cams
October 12th, 2011
6:31 pm
Investigate UGA and Mark Richt, and watch the rats scurrying in all directions.
Hairy Dugless
October 12th, 2011
6:31 pm
I’m certain at least one Auburn football player who took the field in 2010 received ‘impermissible benefits’ at some point or another. I’m also convinced that every team that has ever won a MNC in the modern era (whatever that even means) of CFB fielded at least one player that took improper benefits in the eyes of the preeminent NCAA.
Can I prove these theories? Of course not. But there’s simply no way a team could compete at the highest level without someone providing incentives for these world class athletes to come to their institution. Get real and get over it, people. Auburn got jipped because they didn’t get to enjoy their championship season the way all of those other “cheaters” that preceded them did. If you want to start flinging asterisks around like it’s MLB in the late 90s, then by all means put one by EVERY TEAM THAT HAS EVER WON A CHAMPIONSHIP.
Love,
Herschel’s Trans Am
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 12th, 2011
6:32 pm
War Eagle
not really a news event since we are ALREADY the National Champions..this simply gratifies on a personal level , as I imagine cursing, shouting, and shotguns being blasted thru walls and stills all over Bama nation, like an episode of squidbillies.
btw @bobby petrino..yes we did win, I..don’t..see..your…crystal football? ..oh that’s right …
UGA has won a few games in a row so I guess we can expect their quick return to trash talking, but just a couple early losses were enough to give the rest of the league a respite, so I guess we can live with it..I still don’t think they can pencil AU in as a win yet..
I said 7-5 for AU in this rebuilding year, coming into the season, and I’m staying there…
GT Fan
October 12th, 2011
6:32 pm
What a “shocker”.
Not trying to stir the pot, just stating an obvious point:
ESPN & The NCAA have a “bell cow” in the SEC. Can we really expect serious punishment to be handed down on one of their (ESPN/NCAA) money-makers …..
And forget ruling him ineligible when it happened ….. No SEC in the BCS Championship game? Who would watch? All the $ that would be lost … OMG, Armageddon!
NCAA is laughable.
LakeDawg
October 12th, 2011
6:34 pm
The NCAA allowed those Ohio State players to defer their suspensions, because they didn’t want to screw up the Sugar Bowl. You know, TV ratings and all. I wonder if the thought of vacating the NC so soon influenced their investigation. Hmmm. Just food for thought.
Got Rope?
October 12th, 2011
6:34 pm
Of course we ALL know that if Auburn had been “properly” investigated and punished the GEORGIA BULLDOGS would have been contenders for -and easily won- the BCS title. That Aaron Murray was not a contender for the Heisman is a farce in and of itself. Hmph
Captain Schultz
October 12th, 2011
6:34 pm
I see NOTHING! I know NOTHING!
GooseDawg
October 12th, 2011
6:34 pm
Convinced-Paint with a broad brush why don’t you?
I’m a UGA fan-I went to the game at Jordan-Hare last year & told many a Tiger fan congrats on their victory as I walked out of the stadium. So again, congrats to you & the rest of the Barners on your wonderful 2011 season, it was certainly a magical year on the Plains. Think everybody (outside of the really delusional Bama fans) is glad this whole thing with Cam is over.
See you on Between the Hedges on 11/12/11 for another thrilling rendition of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry!
Flounder
October 12th, 2011
6:36 pm
“His judgment cometh, and that right soon.”
Not a quote from the Bible, but from the movie “The Shawshank Redemption”.
Where’s Andy Dufresne when we need him??
Thistle
October 12th, 2011
6:36 pm
When the NCAA checks into what UGA paid recruits and is paying players, it’s the Death Penalty.
They don’t call UGA The Cesspool of the South for nothing.
Glenn Beck's Black Mistress
October 12th, 2011
6:37 pm
In case it has not already been said yet: THIS IS OBAMA’S FAULT.
That is all.
now
October 12th, 2011
6:39 pm
the Truth shall set you free unless you play or pay in the SEC
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 12th, 2011
6:40 pm
@Flounder..
“..salvation lies within”
http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal/ncaahome?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/ncaa/NCAA/Legislation+and+Governance/Eligibility+and+Recruiting/Recruiting/recruiting.html
Nike Zeus
October 12th, 2011
6:40 pm
How much kickback did Richt get from Nike this year?
Chandler Going Deep..
October 12th, 2011
6:45 pm
Bill Bellacheat CHEATED!!! What else is news today?
Cam may put up 350 on the Falcons Sunday?
Factory Outlet
October 12th, 2011
6:46 pm
The most embarrassing thing about UGA is the win-at-any-price mentality of Richt, which has effectively made UGA a football factory, with cheating, recruiting of low-intelligence jerks who barely graduated from high school, and tolerating immoral and unethical activities by both players and coaches. But even with all this, he still can’t win.
Flounder
October 12th, 2011
6:46 pm
@TrishaDishWarEagle:
http://www.ncaapublications.com/p-4200-ncaa-transfer-guide-2010-11.aspx
NCAA 2010-2011 Transfer Guide. Available for purchase online. Cost = $180,000
Chandler Going Deep..
October 12th, 2011
6:47 pm
@Glen Beck,
Mommy must have dropped u on you head…..lol
WarDamn
October 12th, 2011
6:48 pm
Gotta love all the haters!!! It’s what comes with winning a national championship. If Cam played for any other SEC school they would be backing him just like us Auburn fans do. He is a great athlete and played on a great team last year. Auburn lost the most seniors outta any school last year. what do you expect with the expectations of playing true freshman and sophmores for the most part. Give them a year or two and we will be dominate! For UGA i am still waiting for yall to beat a team that is ranked, when is the last time yall have done that? hmm couple years huh? better luck next year since yall don’t play anymore ranked teams this year besides tech and they are gonna whoop yalls ass!
Chandler Going Deep..
October 12th, 2011
6:49 pm
Tech 55 ,UGA 21
Hmmm....
October 12th, 2011
6:50 pm
Cam better watch out! God don’t like cheaters. He’ll always be looking over his shoulder because karma is always just around the bend.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 12th, 2011
6:52 pm
@Flounder
It’s only $180,000 in Mississippi..it’s $0 everywhere else
NCAA said so haha
TheAntiMe
October 12th, 2011
6:54 pm
… and the good news is that the Falcons are virtually a lock for their next win this Sunday. No doubt about it. How so? How so because Cam Newton spelled backwards is Not wen Mac.
GooseDawg
October 12th, 2011
6:56 pm
The AJC on-line sports section should just be called the place where bitter people go to spew hate & malice! Every dang blog on here (no matter what the subject of the article) turns into a UGA bash-fest. Sigh-what has UGA done to so many folks to make them so hateful???
Cam is cleared (hooray). This has NOTHING to do with UGA other than UGA being one of the 14 teams that Auburn beat last season. Make that 13 teams since SC got took two lumps from Auburn.
Tdawg
October 12th, 2011
6:57 pm
So statements by four former players aren’t enough to nail these cheats. What the he!! does the NCAA need? A sworn statement directly from the coaches. No the NCAA did not do it’s job and any compitent reporter would know that. Wait a second. A former head coach did come out and say that Auburn players were being paid. A former head coach and 4 former players and the fact that his father was selling his son’s services to the highest bidder wasn’t enough? Jeff I think that it is time thay maybe you should find a new line of work. If I were a University being Investigated by the NCAA I would not allow them on my campus, I would not allow them to my students, my coaches nor anyone that has anything to do with my school. In fact I can’t for the life of me understand why the Universitys just don’t up and tell the NCAA to go to you-know- where and leave the NCAA. I would say that I have lost all faith in the NCAA, but truth be known, I lost that a long time ago.
dave58
October 12th, 2011
7:00 pm
Yes it is true you are innocent until proven guilty. But what bothers me is the smell of all this. Let a little common sense rule for just one moment. Let’s see-Cam’s preacher dad was caught trying to deal his son for a lot of dough. Do I think Cam new of this foul play? Hmmm let me think-Of course he knew but there is no proof he knew as per the NCAA. On paper the NC is Auburn’s, the Heisman his Cam’s. But the smell of it all still lingers!
Tdawg
October 12th, 2011
7:02 pm
WarDamn you right and the way you guys are playing we won’t get a chance to beat one this season either. I guess our best shot at beating a ranked team this season is to pull for GA TECH.
bardawg
October 12th, 2011
7:06 pm
The whole sordid affair reeks of “uncle” Bobby Lauder !
AUforlife
October 12th, 2011
7:09 pm
Eat it bammers. I don’t think you bammers have received an all clear letter yet for all of the photo evidence ,etc that has been turned in over the past 2 years (especially with T-Town Menswear), have you?
Guess who has not been cleared with Newton, the lowly Miss St bullpups & their boosters.
You guys keep wearing the tin foil hats and dreaming up conspiracies against AU.
Dollarbills
October 12th, 2011
7:09 pm
Just make it cash…nice and clean…no records.
ATHUR
October 12th, 2011
7:11 pm
KEEP YOUR HEAD UP MAN GOD BLESS YOU
GTBob
October 12th, 2011
7:11 pm
Why do I get the feeling that the NCAA sat around watching Maury Povich all day until they eventually decided that no one cares anymore so lets end the investigation. The NCAA is about as believable as congress.
Gene Chizik
October 12th, 2011
7:12 pm
I’m celebrating by going to Abblebee’s in a brand new Member’s Only jacket!
Gene Chizik
October 12th, 2011
7:13 pm
wait, they call it Applebee’s, don’t they?
AsktheQuestionJeff
October 12th, 2011
7:13 pm
Jeff – I enjoy your columns, but ask yourself this, if Rev. Newton was attempting to milk MSU for $180,000 and Cam didn’t go there, what did Auburn or someone affiliated with the War Eagle/Tiger program provide Rev. Newton? Everyone knows the NCAA is only concerned about avoiding scandal. Follow the money Jeff and maybe a Pulitzer awaits…
Dee Hunter
October 12th, 2011
7:14 pm
NCAA invetigators are mostly women and cannot dig enough. Why are 80% of police investigators male. Its because they are more instinctive and can dig. Ask why Cam Newtons dad pimped him out. He got money from Auburn thru Dog track owner and now that Auburn won National Championship and Cam the #1 pick in NFL and playing well. Money talks and character and crooks win. Look at conference expansion and paying athletes when not pros and never go to class with average IQ of NFL player a 90 and NCA 85 in football and basketball.. DEE HUNTER, P.E.
John
October 12th, 2011
7:14 pm
Auburn gets cleared because they did nothing wrong and the venters still get on here and do the same whining with the same baseless allegations. The NCAA didn’t punish Auburn because there was not a shred of credible evidence that Auburn did anything wrong.
HENRY
October 12th, 2011
7:17 pm
JEFF SCHULTZ AND THE NCAA ARE THE BAFFOONS HERE. CAM “SCUMBAG” NEWTON IS A LYING, CHEATING SO AND SO AND SHOULD BE STRIPPED OF HIS TROPHY AND AUBURN SHOULD BE KICKED OUT OF THE SEC…..THEY ARE ALL CHEATS AND SCUMBAGS
10/12/2011 Evening Edition | collegefootballnewswire.com
October 12th, 2011
7:17 pm
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