More on Cam: Urban Meyer claims he wasn’t the town crier
Get the picture: Cam Newton plays for Auburn but used to play for Florida and considered playing for Mississippi State. Last week ESPN.com reported that former MSU quarterback John Bond — from Valdosta, by the way — was told it would cost the Bulldogs $180,000 to land Newton. On Monday FoxSports.com reported that Newton was facing expulsion for cheating at Florida.
Today’s development in this swiftly moving SEC tempest: Urban Meyer, who coached Newton at Florida, told Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun he hadn’t leaked the information to FoxSports. Dooley quotes the Urbanator thusly:
“Obviously, it’s a joke. I don’t know anything about anything. I heard they’ve got me meeting with the agent and all that. I never met with anybody. It’s ridiculous.”
According to Dooley, the Florida media relations department went so far as to release this statement from Meyer:
“Our entire focus right now is on preparing for our biggest game of the year against South Carolina. For anyone to think that I or anyone on our staff may have leaked information about private student records to the media doesn’t know us very well. It’s a ridiculous claim and simply not true.”
None of this has anything to do with us here in Atlanta. Except that Newton played at Westlake High and lives in College Park, and his father is the pastor of the Holy Zion Church of Deliverance in Newnan. And also that Auburn, which is ranked No. 2 in both the Associated Press poll and BCS standings, faces the Georgia Bulldogs this weekend and can clinch a berth in the SEC championship game at the Georgia Dome by winning. And that Auburn could well meet — small world! — Urban Meyer’s Gators here on Dec. 4.
According to Charles Goldberg of Al.com, Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs released a statement — hey, it seems the thing to do — regarding Newton on Tuesday:
“In the past 24 hours, a lot of allegations have surfaced that date back two years ago and further. These allegations and rumors about Cam Newton are unfortunate and sad because they seem intent on tearing down the reputation of a young man who has done everything we’ve asked him to do.
“Cam has been and continues to be completely honest with us. Cam is, by all accounts, a great kid. Any discussion of academic records is a clear violation of federal privacy laws. We will not go down that path or stoop to that level as others have apparently done. We will, however, emphatically say that Cam is eligible to play football at Auburn University both academically and athletically.
“I am proud of this young man and the progress he has made to be a better football player and a better man. We are truly blessed that Cam is a part of the Auburn family, and we support him 100 percent.”
More linkage! If you’re wondering what I, famous Auburn fan that I am, have to say about this, you can click here.
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323 comments Add your comment
AltamahaDawg
November 9th, 2010
2:38 pm
I completely understand UF not volunteering to step into a controversy. But if the persistant drum beat of Urban Cried continues….it seems to me that they have to. There is no federal laws or privacy issue if NO such record exist, and its in everybody best interest to make that known. It’s only a breach to release actually information, right, not to confirm that no such information exist. The need to squash this ASAP.
lewis
November 9th, 2010
2:38 pm
Jay Jacobs claims that Auburn is “blessed” to have a kid as great as Cam be at their university.
Since when did stealing a laptop make you a “blessed” addition to a university? What a joke…
Headley Lamar
November 9th, 2010
2:39 pm
You’ve done enough to try compensate for you abnormally small man instruement for one day.
It ain’t working. You’re still small.
You can go back to your mommy’s basement now.
Truth hurts dont it.
dcdawg
November 9th, 2010
2:39 pm
Locker Room Fodder
Michael Wilbon, co-host of Pardon the Interruption and columnist for the Washington Pos,t had this to say about the Georgia football team on his blog, The Chat House, on Monday Nov. 8, 2010:
“Georgia is nothing.”
Here’s the entire quote and a link to Wilbon’s blog: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2010/11/04/DI2010110403392.html
20008: Mike, you said “I don’t think Auburn has any spectacular win yet. It’ll have to if the Tigers are going to remain undefeated because a trip to Tuscaloosa to play The Tide looms. Get back to me after that game…”
I’m no BCS or Auburn booster, but they have beaten the #’s 5, 15, 19, and 23 teams in the current BCS standings. And if they finish out by beating UGA, Alabama, and either Florida or South Carolina in the SEC championship game, I’d say they’ve done enough to be ranked ahead of TCU and Boise.
Michael Wilbon: Georgia is nothing. Florida has three losses. South Carolina just had a disappointing loss two weeks ago. Don’t tell me these teams can’t be overrated, because I suspect they are. Hell, I KNOW some of the Big Ten teams (four of which are in the BCS top 13) are overrated because I watch ALL the Big Ten teams all the time. I’ve seen a couple of games in person this year and will see Iowa play at Northwestern Saturday…These teams being rated as highly as they are is often part of the fraud being perpertrated (sic) by the cartel and their agents (read: voters)…
Mr
November 9th, 2010
2:39 pm
gt
And your on here why??? Noone wants to hear the ranting of a little techie. UGA has and always will be above you in football. It does not matter what kind of year they are having. Your post was nothing but the sniffling and whining of a little techie. Now go away!
Headley Lamar
November 9th, 2010
2:40 pm
I’m noticing your team (Bama) didn’t make your list. After all their violations? Wow… rose colored glasses, eh?
Im a UGA fan and we have been on probation 5 times. Not a sterling record either i admit.
GT-Hammer
November 9th, 2010
2:41 pm
Listen I know GT stinks and we can’t beat UGA, but at least I get to try and jump on the Auburn bandwagon. That is the way we work at Tech, if we can’t beat you we will cheer for the other teams you play!!!!!!
ROGER
November 9th, 2010
2:41 pm
Auburn likes to pretend like they’re running a clean program because they didn’t give Cam any $$. Breaking News: WHEN YOU ACCEPT A KID ONTO YOUR TEAM WHO IS AN ADMITTED THIEF, THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT YOUR UNIVERSITY.
Mr
November 9th, 2010
2:44 pm
“Listen I know GT stinks and we can’t beat UGA, but at least I get to try and jump on the Auburn bandwagon. That is the way we work at Tech, if we can’t beat you we will cheer for the other teams you play!!!!!!”
That’s just funny right there. I don’t care who you are!
dawgfan
November 9th, 2010
2:46 pm
The media has become a complete effing disgrace and sham. Nowadays rumors, hearsay, and unsubstantiated allegations are front page news. Very rarely does the media do any investigating of its own anymore. I guess its not in their ever dwindling budgets. Some moron pops off at the mouth and next thing you know Bradley and Schultz are writing columns about it. Its out of control.
The timing of this Newton crap seems mighty fishy to me. The guy is about to win a Heisman and his team is 10-0. Where were these allegations when he was toiling away in JC obscurity? Its probably a bunch of crap.
The view from the Swamp
November 9th, 2010
2:46 pm
ol bawls coach how is this for honor code; Jan Kemp.
War Cam Eagle
November 9th, 2010
2:47 pm
No need to pull the Haterade Gators! CAMzilla will crush you in Atlanta!!!!!!
http://sportscrack.com/tees_camzilla.html
The view from the Swamp
November 9th, 2010
2:47 pm
agreed dawgfan
Hey, Headley?
November 9th, 2010
2:50 pm
I really don’t think you know the meaning of “truth”
All you’re doing is spreading rumors.
No facts.
No grounds.
No hard evidence.
You seem to be a very bitter person with an axe to grind. Nothing more.
You must live a very sad life in a very small world.
:’(
Hollywould
November 9th, 2010
2:50 pm
BOZY, Thanks for the link. Makes more sense to me now. Anyway, all you dawg criers just need to get over it. Newton will be the qb sat. 47-45 Auburn in a wild one. Sit back and have fun and then take a shot of Jack Daniels and blast the corruption at Auburn. I am sure I will be hearing about this for the next 10 years while your program falls lower.
GatorBait
November 9th, 2010
2:52 pm
All roads lead to Bama. Mark it down. It’s a disgruntled Bama booster that is stirring the pot here. They can’t stand to see Auburn get a little publicity while there ship is sinking fast!! I say lay off Cam. The guy’s an athlete and yes, he probably copied a few notes and tests like most athletes, but I doubt he took a payoff. He would know his career would be in jeopardy
Headley Lamar
November 9th, 2010
2:53 pm
You want truth. Here is some.
MOST-PENALIZED DIVISION I PROGRAMS:
Arizona State 8
Southern Methodist 8
Auburn 7
Florida State 7
Memphis 7
Minnesota 7
Oklahoma 7
Texas A&M 7
Wichita State 7
Wisconsin 7
✭Nine programs have been penalized six times, including USC and UCLA.
Auburn has always been one of the dirtiest if not the dirtiest program
Jail is full of alot of people who say the didnt do it too.
Auburn has been busted 7 TIMES !!! Forgive me if im a little skeptical when they say they didnt it this time.
Gary
November 9th, 2010
2:54 pm
Ga War Eagle you are crazy,
You would have easily lost five with out him. Remember your early season nail biters? Ark. You would never win 9 games with your back up QB. That is more delusional than thinking this kid shouldn’t be kicked out of school if this stuff is true.
to others
The thought that Georgia would somehow have access to this and release it is also insane. If nothing else, this guy is going to take out his anger and frustration on our weak defense.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
November 9th, 2010
2:55 pm
So Headley is a Georgia Bulldog fan.
Well, that ’splains it.
You don’t have much to be happy about in regards to your OWN program, so you desperately seek a bit of glee in trying to pull someone else’s program down. You can’t stand the popularity and talent of the caliber of player you don’t have on your own team. Your jealously is consuming you.
Bulldogs don’t have much to look forward to this year, next year or even in the distant future. So I guess we’ll be hearing from you pretty often.
You really DO have a sad life.
I’m so sorry for you.
fishtales
November 9th, 2010
2:56 pm
Hmmmm…Aubbie’s say there is no proof that anything was done wrong…yet they accuse Bama of squealing without any proof.
Spin cycle on HEAVY at Auburn.
Urban Meyer
November 9th, 2010
2:57 pm
Ok Nation Media I am afraid Cam is going to win the heisman and pimp slap me in the sec championship game. Go ahead and put some stories out there. Doesn’t matter if they are based on face just something to distract him so he will loose and I wont look like such a idiot for not keeping him.. I remember his dad saying something about being a rented mule at mississippi state so throw some money in there to. And lets see wait a couple days and then say he cheated on a test…
thanks,
Scum of the earth
Headley Lamar
November 9th, 2010
2:57 pm
You really DO have a sad life.
I’m so sorry for you.
Not really. But thanks for your concern.
And if you think UGA’s program willl stay where it is for long well I feel sorry for you.
Auburn has what 6 SEC Championships in its history?
UGA has twice that many (12)
Most Penalized for.... What?
November 9th, 2010
2:58 pm
Where are you getting your facts, Headley?
What’s your source?
What are the specific *penalities* of which you speak?
Someone parked in a handicap space? What?
FACTS, man — facts.
Man up, or shut up.
$200,000 taken to help the curch from getting foreclosed on
November 9th, 2010
2:58 pm
What a coincidence!!!!!!
Explain that one barners ????????????????
Camputer
November 9th, 2010
2:58 pm
But…but….but….Bammer….errrrrrrrrrr….Dawgs…….errrrrrrr… Saban……errrrrr……Meyer…..who else can we blame everything on instead of taking any blame ourselves?
Those tinfoil hats look mighty nice on you Barners…and I don’t mean that in an Eddie Haskell kind of way.
Stick a fork in Headley -- he's done.
November 9th, 2010
2:59 pm
*YAWN* — boring little man.
Moving on to another site with some intelligent bloggers. Nothing more to see here.
Smoke
November 9th, 2010
3:00 pm
equals fire. Always the case.
gdawginkalamazoo
November 9th, 2010
3:00 pm
We paid Idaho State slightly less than three Cam Newton to play them last week.
What's a "curch" ?
November 9th, 2010
3:01 pm
Huh?
Headley Lamar
November 9th, 2010
3:01 pm
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jun/10/sports/la-sp-0611-ncaa-sanctions-chart-20100611
Headley Lamar
November 9th, 2010
3:01 pm
Most Penalized for…. What?
Cheating according to the NCAA.
Camputer
November 9th, 2010
3:02 pm
Headley,
All 7 Barn violations were setups by Bammer. We are innocent!
CTown Dawg
November 9th, 2010
3:03 pm
GT Hammer, I guess you’re gonna use the excuse of Nesbitt’s broken arm when we beat you in a couple of weeks?
how2fish
November 9th, 2010
3:03 pm
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh! We have a lot to look forward to a returning QB unlike yourselves an improving defense again unlike yourselves and not having to wait for the other shoe to fall as the NCAA looks into the kids recruitment all next year. Oh yeah and we have a chance to beat the no.2 team in the nation this Saturday just a few of the things we have to look forward to.
F A Gay-turd
November 9th, 2010
3:04 pm
Is it me or is Urban Meyer the slime of the earth?
ManiacalDawgHoyden
November 9th, 2010
3:06 pm
Richt says he is not the town-whiner in regards to Cam Newton!
fishtales
November 9th, 2010
3:07 pm
There may be something here…maybe not. But it’s amusing that everytime Auburn is in contention (57, 93, 03, 10) something seems to creep it’s ugly head in. No coincidence there I’m sure. Must be those meddling Bammers again! I hope the Dawgs whip the stew out of you miserable Aubs. And if not, then here’s to us Bammers spoiling your dream season.
AltamahaDawg
November 9th, 2010
3:07 pm
There is also ZERO chance that AU officials had not seen the entire “private student records” from UF on Cam Newton, with his consent, before they signed him to a scholarship. They could very easily put this all to rest. As could UF. Personally, I don’t think it’s the world’s business, he had some academic issue, he didnt have. He left, he transfered, he is eligible again, that’s it. It’s just puzzling to me that AU would let this thing fester any longer than a day. And don’t give us that BS that clearing the name of your “blessing”, and the honor of your institution, the PR and control of the story, ALL has to take a back seat because not one of the smart fellow over there can overcome the fear that somebody might misunderstand the “path” that would be taking. Right.
Auburn Man
November 9th, 2010
3:07 pm
@ Josh I have only heard all the Meyer connection from hardcore Auburn only talk radio and bloggers. Some print news sources have discussed it but they all seem to quote some over the top web site or nut case Radio nitwit.
I do think that at this point it’s an invasion of privacy issue on the cheating and if I were Newton I would hire a lawyer if for no other reason to say I’m prepared to sue over an anything goes campaign where the press seems to be on a free wheeling witch hunt. I bought papers twice when I was in a pinch in college and I knew better students than me who not only bought them on occasion but also wrote them for sale.
Gen Neyland
November 9th, 2010
3:14 pm
Dang. Here I thought this blog was about a rat ratting out Newton, not comparing which programs nationally have made certain, ahh, errors in judgement…
Zoo : Spent Saturday night tuned into the BTN watching the Gallopin’ Gophers take on the Bangin’ Badgers at Mariucci Arena. Brought back fond memories of watching good college hockey on TV on cold Minnesota winter nights, sipping anti-freeze in front of a warming fire knowing that when morning came, I’d be out shoveling snow. Well, the shoveling snow part wasn’t much fun and is best forgotten…
Amen
November 9th, 2010
3:14 pm
It’s ridiculous that even the most delusional Bulldog Homer could possibly throw stones at another player or program for dishonesty or disorderly conduct, considering the absolute and literal CONVICTS you clowns trot out on the field wearing Goober Hats every weekend.
Amen to that.
Who says he's college material?
November 9th, 2010
3:17 pm
As with many of UGA’s players taking remedial studies, Cam Newton is obviously not intelligent enough to be a legitimate college student.
AltamahaDawg
November 9th, 2010
3:24 pm
Here is the problem with Cam hiring an attorney to press a lawsuit for the privacy issue: The easiest thing to do would be for Him, or AU, to a lessor degree UF to just come out and deny the allegations. Then it’s a clear cut case of defamation. To sue for invasion of privacy implies that it’s true, I just didn’t agree to release that information, and he might not be quite ready to deal with that at this point (if so).
ROGER
November 9th, 2010
3:31 pm
Guys, you’re missing the point. The $$ money doesn’t matter. CAM ALREADY ADMITTED TO STEALING A LAPTOP AT FLORIDA. That tells us EVERYTHING we need to know about the guy.
FishyBusiness
November 9th, 2010
3:37 pm
Cam’s gonna look funny while running/passing, carrying his stolen laptop and the pages from those term papers flapping in the breeze !!! Maybe he can hide the papers in his pants or in his helmet.
Cheating
November 9th, 2010
3:43 pm
Why do alabama and auburn cheat so much in football? They are always in trouble for something. They need to run their program like Mark Richt at Georgia, with honor and integrity.
Cobb Dawg
November 9th, 2010
3:43 pm
Mark, did you happen to read the police report: “The Heisman hopeful landed at Blinn after an arrest at Florida in November 2008. Campus police said he stole a $1,700 laptop then threw it out his dormitory window when officers arrived to investigate. The charges were dropped last December when he completed a pretrial intervention program for first-time offenders. Newton has said he bought the stolen computer from someone else.”
dagnabit
November 9th, 2010
3:44 pm
All of these lies about cam newton are coming out of Georgia.
UGA Fan
November 9th, 2010
3:46 pm
It’s just not fair that the NCAA would let Newton play against us!! If we had him, he would fit right in with all our criminals and our great storied program….you know we won a National Championship 30 years ago. We are better than any program in the country. We can’t beat UF, but we beat GT. We cheat, but that does not matter….because we are UGA. GO DAAAAWGS!!! WOOF WOOF!!!
LHardingDawg
November 9th, 2010
3:47 pm
UGA Fan is a Tech homer. Right where he belongs, on his knee’s.