Why Auburn can’t allow Cam to play against UGA (Updated)
On Tuesday Gene Chizik defended Cam Newton against allegations the coach called “pure garbage” by saying the quarterback had done everything asked of him since arriving at Auburn. But now Auburn needs to ask — nay, to demand — that Newton do something difficult for all involved.
Auburn needs to tell Newton to sit out the Georgia game.
The dynamics have changed since Chizik offered his ringing defense. On Wednesday ESPN reported that two unnamed Mississippi State “recruiters” had heard both Newton and his father Cecil mention money in separate phone conversations. On Thursday Kenny Rogers told ESPN 103.3 in Dallas that the elder Newton was seeking between $100,000 and $180,000 for his son to enroll at Mississippi State.
In nine days we’d gone from two reports that referenced the former Mississippi State quarterback John Bond as a rather distant accuser to stronger allegations that Cecil Newton himself asked for money. And late Friday Mark Winne of Channel 2 Action News reported that Cecil Newton has admitted discussing the possibility of getting money from MSU. (Though the elder Newton claimed no money changed hands and that both Cam Newton and Auburn are clean.)
Rogers has offered names, dates, details and demands. Rogers, who has worked for an agent who is apparently being investigated by the NFL Players Association, might not be the perfect witness, but the murky depths of NCAA violations tend not to be the realm of saints.
As yet, nothing has surfaced to tie Auburn to any player payola, but that’s no longer the issue. It can be an NCAA violation for anyone to seek money or benefits on behalf of a prospect, and now Cecil Newton has apparently admitted as much. Which means Cam Newton could be ineligible. More to the point, it means Auburn has reason to suspect he could be ineligible.
Auburn faces Georgia tomorrow. The Tigers can clinch the SEC West if they win, but there’s more at stake that a berth in the SEC championship game and the clear possibility of playing for the BCS title: There’s the reputation of a university on the line, and it’s a reputation Auburn hasn’t always gone to the wall to protect.
In 1957 Auburn went undefeated and finished No. 1 in the Associated Press poll but couldn’t grace a bowl because it was on probation. In 1993 Auburn went undefeated but was barred from a bowl appearance — and even from appearing on live TV — because it was on probation. In 2003 Auburn’s president and athletic director flew to Sellersburg, Ind., on a private jet owned by the toxic booster Bobby Lowder to meet with Louisville coach Bobby Petrino even though Auburn still had a coach in Tommy Tuberville.
According to the NCAA’s database, Auburn football has been penalized five times for major violations. (This doesn’t count JetGate, which was merely an affront to human decency.) The most recent sanctions were levied in 1993, which suggests the school has become more scrupulous in recent years. Here’s the chance for Auburn University to prove it’s more than a football program with a few classrooms as window dressing. Here’s the chance for Auburn to prove it cares more about being an institution of higher learning than it does the outcome of a given game.
Auburn has cause to doubt that Cam Newton’s recruitment was pristine. It plays Georgia on Saturday but doesn’t play again until it meets Alabama the day after Thanksgiving. That’s nearly two weeks to conduct a thorough in-house investigation, as opposed to relying on the kneejerk “Cam Newton is eligible to play at Auburn” defense. That’s enough time to get some grasp on what’s really what.
The worst thing a school can do is to allow a player of questionable eligibility to represent it. For Auburn to let Newton play against Georgia simply on faith would be to ignore the revelations of the past nine days. It doesn’t much matter if Mississippi State or Florida or the CIA or the KGB was behind these allegations; what matters is that the burden of proof — and proving that something didn’t happen is a massive burden — has fallen on Auburn.
If Newton doesn’t play against Georgia and the Bulldogs win, Auburn will have lost a football game. If Newton plays and is later found to have been ineligible, Auburn will lose much more. For the sake of his latest school, Cam Newton cannot take the field tomorrow.
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1,576 comments Add your comment
drsoul
November 12th, 2010
11:52 am
I think the old man gave it away when he said he did not want to discuss something that happened two years ago…ego is taking over here…!!!!
Ted M
November 12th, 2010
11:52 am
bradical – that link was hilarious.
sCam newton for the hei$man
November 12th, 2010
11:52 am
GOODBYE… NICE TO KNOW YOU
see ya in 2016
SilverDawg
November 12th, 2010
11:53 am
Let him play! Damage is done, nothing left to do but prove or disprove he asked for money. Whatever happens, Cam should be considering going pro after this season! Let the payday really begin and $180,000 becomes mute. After he goes pro, it becomes an Auburn issue for them to clean up. Nothing is proved if Auburn sits him. Just like Meyer sitting the player that gouged Marino’s eyes last year. Proves nothing.
Frank Drackman
November 12th, 2010
11:55 am
Y’all Doggie Fans better hope Camimus Maximus doesn’t play, cause he’s pissed and gonna hang a HUNDRED on your 3(OOOOOHHHHHHH)-4(AHHHHHHHHHHHH) “Defense”
And Remember that Junior Rosegreen Hit in 05′ that still gives me a woody everytime i replay it???
and yeah I know we haven’t beat y’all since then, PAYBACK’S A BEE-OTCH, BEE-OTCHES…
and Mark Bradley pees sitting down
Hypothetical
November 12th, 2010
11:55 am
Mr. Bradley- I’m a bouncer at a local strip club. I saw you groping a dancer and receiving “preferential treatment”. The stripper will verify my accusations. Coincidentally at this time, there is no video footage of you at the club that night, no receipts that you bought anything, no physical evidence whatsoever that this is true. On the contrary, the only evidence in this story is my accusation of an alleged incident.
Does this make the story true? Should you be asked to leave the AJC?
More believable story: You come by the club and use your Thrashers ticket stub for free admission and then snubb my high 5 attempt as you enter. I get pi$$ed off at this and vow revenge. As soon as you get hired by ESPN and become the next Woody Paige I unveil my plan at revenge.
It’s amazing that someone can yell fire and everybody runs even without seeing any smoke or flames and everybody evacuates room.
TU87
November 12th, 2010
11:55 am
Everyone wants Auburn to sit Cam for one reason, so UGA can win. It doesn’t matter if Auburn sits him at this point if it is eventually proven that they paid Newton to play at Auburn. Remember it is not a violation if his father asked for money, underhanded, but not a violation. (NCAA doesn’t sanction parents) The violation is if Auburn paid and it can be proven. If it is, sitting him for a game won’t have mattered, the punishment will be severe, just short of the death penalty for the program – remember SMU?
Ask yourself did UGA voluntary sitting of Green reduce his penalty? I don’t think so.
Don
November 12th, 2010
11:55 am
Not sure if the NCAA pulls Cam off the field for this game, but they can’t let this go on with all the controversy. I don’t think Cam Newton wins the Heisman Trophy at this point. I mean, he looks guilty from all the different sources coming out and (confirming) what we’ve been hearing. Auburn should drop out of the race for the NC game. And THAT is what is killing all the big boys, because it will open the door wider for TCU or Boise St. to play for the Championship game. It almost makes me wonder if they would rather have Auburn get away with cheating just to keep out the inconvenient truth that TCU or Boise St may actually get to play in the big game. Lots of drama, but it definitely looks bad for Cam Newton and Auburn because we all know they just got caught.
AU FAN
November 12th, 2010
11:55 am
This is bull*** , please answer me… PRESS CONFERENCE or not scheduled @ 3 today
jawga boy
November 12th, 2010
11:56 am
I say PLAY HIM. Then watch ole Justin Houston come round the end and slip him a $10 bill for a sack. JH will need to hit the ATM fo’ gametime though just to be ready.
Krypto
November 12th, 2010
11:57 am
Mighty funny that one of Rev Newtons churches just got new siding from a huge company whos owner is one of the biggest Auburn boosters in the area. I wonder how that was paid for? I have a feeling that those of you saying they cant prove this or that and that Auburn doesn’t have anything to worry about are going to be surprised when this is over.
Bo Knows...
November 12th, 2010
11:57 am
Dawgs go down Name the BEST team they have Beaten so far
You dont have much to choose from so it should be easy to answer!
AU FAN
November 12th, 2010
11:57 am
Damn YOU Bradley, this is all your fault.
Ted M
November 12th, 2010
11:58 am
Lane Kiffin says Cam Newton didn’t ask UT for money.
BMDPD
November 12th, 2010
11:59 am
AU FAN, you seemed concerned. There really is nothing you can do about it now. Just play him and hope for the best.
drsoul
November 12th, 2010
11:59 am
AUFan…do you need the Reggie Bush family telephone number????
AU FAN
November 12th, 2010
12:00 pm
So frustrating… Hello? Hello? Anybody see this post? Hello?
Press Conference @ 3:00? Is this true?
JoeFan
November 12th, 2010
12:00 pm
Unless they (Auburn) knows he is guilty, Newton should be allowed to play. If it is proven Auburn had knowledge of his guilt and stilled played him, then Auburn should be given the “Death Penalty”. It is Auburns choice.
drsoul
November 12th, 2010
12:00 pm
TU87….does TU stand for ‘toked up’…???? sounds like it..!!!
Jim Pierce
November 12th, 2010
12:00 pm
AU fan: That’s just a twitter on a Florida site.
Krypto
November 12th, 2010
12:01 pm
@TU87…Yes, it absolutely IS a violation if his dad or any representative asked for money. That wouldn’t prove Auburn committed violations, but would make him ineligible. If Auburn sits him now, they could save face and likely wouldn’t have to forfeit their wins, but if he continues playing, all hell will come down on them if its proven. And for the record, I dont care of he plays. They are likely the only SEC team to reach the championship, so I would love for a 4th SEC team to claim the title and prove that we have the best conference once again.
Frank Drackman
November 12th, 2010
12:01 pm
Mark Bradley picks football games like Brooks Conrad fields…
AU FAN
November 12th, 2010
12:01 pm
I will take the Death Penalty, then we know for sure we beat all of you and won a tiltle , revoked or not. You cannot erase the memories of watching Cam run all over you.
AU FAN
November 12th, 2010
12:02 pm
Thank you, Jim. Thank you.
Ted M
November 12th, 2010
12:02 pm
If there is a PRESS CONFERENCE I’m sure NO one will cover it and we’ll all just have to wonder about it. lol
ArkyTech
November 12th, 2010
12:02 pm
HAHAHA! Bark Madley says sit Newton for Georgia game. How conveeeeenient!!
Take the BLINDERS OFF AUBIE!
November 12th, 2010
12:02 pm
Your program is at stake. Who would go to Auburn if their football is on the death penalty?
ARdawg
November 12th, 2010
12:02 pm
If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it might damn well be a duck. Who’s to know for sure? I’m waiting this one out but, bring Cam Newton on suited and ready to play. The Big Dawg must eat.
Cam will be gone next year and it won’t matter anyway. I hate it for AU cause I kind’a like them. I got to say though, This really doesn’t look god for AU
uga2002
November 12th, 2010
12:03 pm
krypto, if he is ineligible now he would have bern ineligible all season. These events supposedly didnt happen a year ago, not this week.
love to laugh at fools
November 12th, 2010
12:03 pm
Enter your comments here
eric
November 12th, 2010
12:03 pm
hahahahaha.. he’s ELIGIBLE and will play b/c until someone can support their allegations with something other he said she said, he has the same right to play as much as any other player that has ever been accused of something
it’s down to a known liar’s word vs a pastor’s word… and whether or not something actually happened b/w those 2 men, whatever: guess we’ll see
this whole story still doesn’t make any sense unless everyone involved is stupid as crap.. and somehow this man meets a players father the first time where he’s asked for a range of $ that covers 80k from the father… and then auburn MUST have paid some $ since he didn’t go to freakin MSU. Have you ever been to starkville game? good grief
love to laugh at fools
November 12th, 2010
12:03 pm
Enter your comments here
AU fan, you getting scared and nervous about this news conference aren’t you??
AU Rules
November 12th, 2010
12:04 pm
This is all urban meyer’s fault for turning in Cam to the NCAA! I hope Auburn blows florida off the field in the SEC title game!
BMDPD
November 12th, 2010
12:05 pm
Aww man, my comment is in moderation…..
Jerry Gish
November 12th, 2010
12:05 pm
Pro Basketball led the way in letting thugs and gang bangers take over the boards and now that ugly trend has reached the college level where winning the trophy has overtaken common sense. It is grossly obvious to anyone paying attention that the entire Newton family is involved in this scheme. Defensive players are being penalized for what is now being referred to as “hitting to hard” (in football for crying out loud) but Cam Newton is being supported by Auburn in the name of getting the trophy. Pathetic!!!
Mindy
November 12th, 2010
12:05 pm
Think of it like this. If Newton doesn’t win the award, Oregon’s LaMichael James probably will. In February, James was arrested on domestic violence charges (he pleaded to physical harassment and received 24 months probation). Yeah, that’s much better. And yet, no one seems to be howling about James’ candidacy, are they?
Like everyone else, I’d like to have some answers. I’d like to hear what investigators found out about a money trail. I’d like to hear whether other schools that recruited Newton were asked for money (Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops said there was nothing irregular involving Newton, and remarkably, he said it on the record).
I’d like to hear why Mississippi State continued to recruit Newton even after it rejected the idea of paying him. I’d like to know who was leaking what about Newton’s academics, since it’s as illegal as taking a payoff. While we’re at it, I’d like to hear why a guy seeking a payout ends up in former Mississippi State quarterback and booster John Bond’s presence in the first place.
juice sourcer
November 12th, 2010
12:06 pm
Let him play. Innocent until proven quilty. This kid has been abused…just like all college football players….they get nothing and the schools are making billions and the coaches are making millions.
Frank Drackman
November 12th, 2010
12:06 pm
Funny you should ask, Eric, cause I’ve BEEN TO STARKVILLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
a few weeks ago, and this creepy lookin guy who looked alot like Mark Richt offered me $18 to blow him, and didn’t even leave a tip…
Allegedly, and it couldn’t have been Mark Richt, because I’ve heard he’s more into giving than receiving…
BMDPD
November 12th, 2010
12:07 pm
Frank, you are cheap. What are you doing later?
ARdawg
November 12th, 2010
12:07 pm
Frank Drackman was offering hummers in Starkeville for $18 bucks
BMDPD
November 12th, 2010
12:08 pm
ARDawg, yep that is cheap. I am trying to work a deal now.
Shug
November 12th, 2010
12:09 pm
Why sit out now? He’s already played in 9 or 10 games, so if he’s guilty, the damage has been done. Those games’ll have to be forfeited. Auburn made its bed, it might as well continue to sleep in it.
GTSteve
November 12th, 2010
12:09 pm
I say lets investigate UF….he was caught cheating 3 times, and they didn’t suspend him or release him from the team….
Frank Drackman
November 12th, 2010
12:09 pm
It was worth every penny too, wasn’t it ARdawg
Mindy
November 12th, 2010
12:09 pm
Pro Basketball led the way in letting
thugs and gang bangersblacks take over the boards………blah, blah, blahTHERE I fixed it for you!! Now you can really say what you mean without trying 2 b “obscure”.
ARdawg
November 12th, 2010
12:10 pm
BMDPD
Be sure and leave another buck 80 for a tip. He seems a bit anal about that
Frank Drackman
November 12th, 2010
12:10 pm
BMDPD, I don’t Blow Cops, sorry
ARdawg
November 12th, 2010
12:11 pm
Drackman I really wouldn’t know. I prefer the local crackhead over the local Auburn fan
matt
November 12th, 2010
12:11 pm
You’re either an LSU fan, an Alabama fan or someone who hates the SEC. The story is junk.
Ted M
November 12th, 2010
12:11 pm
I kinda like the blue Mindy.