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
DogEatDog
November 12th, 2010
10:57 am
Can we ban side one from saying “where there is smoke there is fire?” and ban side two from saying “where is the proof?”
When Rodgers, Bond, and two MS State coaches say it happened, that is proof. Thats how it works in our society and our courts. There is rarely video evidence. Verbal testimony is proof.
Also, I hear they’ll be audio tapes next week between the MS State people and Cecil. Wait and see. I hear they are not a clear admission, but simply continue the discussions from the hotel lobby.
Cooper041
November 12th, 2010
10:57 am
Jim P., my bad. Wordplay. Let’s see … for years they’ve tried to get something done to the “church” but there wasn’t any money. All of sudden, facelift and a major one at that. OK. When questioned about it all Cecil would say was, “I’m not getting into that” … He doesn’t have to. Regardless of what’s uncovered by the FBI and the NCAA, logical people know the truth.
Cam Newton, by his own admissions, wanted to go to Miss State. But somehow, he lands at Auburn. Why did preacher daddy Cecil make that decision? Care to address that one?
St. Richt
November 12th, 2010
10:57 am
Bradley is giving all you Georgia fans what you need to hear in order to have a snowball’s chance on saturday. If Scam Newton sits, then I gotta think Georgia rolls in this game. But its not gonna happen. Auburn by 21.
An open letter to Cam Newton – al.com | ArticleNox.com
November 12th, 2010
10:58 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
BMDPD
November 12th, 2010
10:59 am
Auburn fans, wake up! You are getting screwed, by Cam. He is getting paid, TWICE! You can defend him if you want, but he will bring your program down. Heck, might as well play him and enjoy your short-lived glory. I really do feel bad for you guys. What’s done is done.
Weaglewade
November 12th, 2010
11:00 am
Mark,
The reason he has been allowed to play is because nothing new has come to light! AU/SEC/NCAA has not received any new groundbreaking news. Until something new and solid comes out, Newton continues to play. Ever thought about that?
TURBO
November 12th, 2010
11:00 am
Wow… what a brilliant synopsis from someone who loves GA; sit Cam out purely based on the suspicion. AWESOME Bradley… Just AWESOME. If players had to sit out based on suspicions, then teams would probably field completely new lineups every week. I agree that there is a lot of smoke around this situation. But just because there is a lot of smoke… doesn’t mean there is fire. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? The only issue for Auburn from a reputation perspective is if they were involved with payouts as a result of this. If they are not, then I think Auburn is taking the right stance…. Until something concrete has been proven, play him. If they were involved, then the school has a bigger issue to address. Get off your Bulldog Bradley… this is not a reputation thing for Auburn. This is a life thing for Cam Newton…. If he screwed up he is screwed!
Davis
November 12th, 2010
11:01 am
Unless Auburn already reported everything to the NCAA before the season and got Cam cleared. They said none of this was news to them and made it a point of saying Cam was eligible “at Auburn.”
Driver
November 12th, 2010
11:01 am
i just have one question…what happened to being innocent until proven guilty in this country?? Also what give any of you the right to judge another human being?? “he who is without sin cast the first stone” lets talk about all the underhand things some of you have done that no one knows about!!?? but anyway handsdown Cam is the best player in college football and some people dont like it and this displays a “snake” at its best….throwing rocks and hiding their hand!! until there is proof all of you should shut up and let him play!!
Lawman
November 12th, 2010
11:01 am
Does anyone reasonably believe that Auburn has not thought this through…really?
One would hope for the good of the SEC they know certain things the writer of this column and the general public do not. These “certain things” most likely trump any of the ALLEGATIONS made…
Mississippi State looks bad here…until we see allegations involving Auburn – they seem to be in the clear – that is where we are.
Did Mississippi State coaches meet with an agent? If they did, as Rogers has said, isn’t that a violation?
Why did they continue to recruit him after the pay for play – they were in the running until the very end?
Something doesn’t smell right here?
kool$kat
November 12th, 2010
11:01 am
Never been more in disagreement with Mark Bradley. Cam Newton is innocent until proven guilty, so if you sit him and he is never proven guilty, what sense does that make? UGA sat AJ Green because they KNEW he was involved on wrongdoing, so that was a different situation.
Obviously, the green eyed monster is driving all this hysteria. And anyone without indisputable evidence that he is guilty should be ashamed and be quiet!
SECWasteManagement
November 12th, 2010
11:02 am
All I got to say is that if Urban Meyer dismisses you from the team then you know the kid isn’t just a tool, but the entire box!
MississipiDawgFan
November 12th, 2010
11:03 am
Any time the FBI gets involved it cannot be a good thing…Auburn may not have committed any violations but if Cecil Newton (on behalf of his son) asked for money (from any NCAA program) then that is an NCAA violation, for which Cam might be ruled ineligible..the fact that more than one person is now corroborating this gives creedance to the accusation. UGA did the right thing in sitting AJ for game 1 (before the NCAA ruling) because they knew a suspension was most liikely coming…at this point, this late in the season Cam nor Auburn is not worried about a potential suspension (next year he’ll be playing on Sunday’s)…in other words you might as well play him and hope for a miracle.
rednilla
November 12th, 2010
11:03 am
Uh, actually, Auburn has been working closely with the NCAA, and Newton IS eligible. Just because you want your beloved Doggies to have a better shot at winning doesn’t mean you get to pass judgment on another school, especially when A) this has been known about all season, B) nothing new has surfaced, even though the public is only finding out about these things now, and C) Cam Newton has been ruled eligible to play by the NCAA. Let me say that again: CAM NEWTON HAS BEEN RULED ELIGIBLE TO PLAY BY THE NCAA.
Nice try though. Really.
dsh
November 12th, 2010
11:03 am
All of this has nothing to do with what Auburn and Cam has accomplished this year. I’m sure everyone who has already called them guilty still thinks OJ is innocent. Get real what is done is done and nothing can change that. Just play football and whatever happens…happens.
cinncci P
November 12th, 2010
11:03 am
Nice Op Ed piece – no facts. Kind of like you “Auburn has the worst fans” crap.
scojat28
November 12th, 2010
11:03 am
I think you’ve got to give them credit…its been more than the usual 10 years between sanctions. The program’s a black eye on the SEC…Lowder should be proud of what he’s built down there on the plains…War SCAM Eagle!!!
The best point made so far is they’re either 10-0 or 0-10 so, you might as well let him play.
Gatorhater
November 12th, 2010
11:03 am
This is exactly why Slive should have gotten involved. Sit the father, play the kid! They were either cheating all along or innocent all along and until someone in the NCAA determines him to be ineligible he should play. Maybe this will change how the NCAA does business.
(Although we all know that’s a ridiculous thought!)
Chris Phillips
November 12th, 2010
11:04 am
I just heard that the FBI is now getting involved. I think Chizik should think long and hard about whether to play Newton tomorrow. This could get real ugly real quick in the next two weeks. If I was an Auburn fan I would be extremely worried that I was not going to see my team in the national championship game this year.
WarEagle5905
November 12th, 2010
11:04 am
Bill Bell spoke to NCAA earlier this week. He confirmed that Kenny Rogers did contact him and Bell provided Roger’s Nov 2009 voice message to the NCAA.
Auburn is in continuous communication with the NCAA. If the NCAA tells Auburn that is it looking more and more like Cam is ineligible then Auburn won’t play Cam. Auburn won’t risk putting the school and the coaches won’t risk putting their careers in jeopardy.
If Auburn is found culpable then that would be 100 times worse than the 2004 season of going undefeated and not going to the NC.
If we go that low… then if Bama and USC can survive, Auburn will survive. It’s 10 AM CST and I need a drink and I don’t even drink…
CDUB
November 12th, 2010
11:04 am
Just in case you guys want to talk about the game I’m picking Auburn. HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE And that’s without Cam Newton. Can you say Slaw Dog?(Messy) HEHEHEHE Can you say Bologna Dog?(Full of it)HEHEHEHE Can You Say Corn Dog?(Fried) Can You Say no dog at all? (They’ve been missing) HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE
AU FAN
November 12th, 2010
11:05 am
AUBURN has been accused of nothing, why cant you people understand that the “powers that be” are in full knowledge of the situation and are “all in” with Cam at this point. They know something, they would not risk the season, University or the so called “egg on face” if they were unsure. AU has no worries, we as Auburn fans should know the University has this under control but are having to stay tight lipped.
Momstheword
November 12th, 2010
11:05 am
My sources say you are full of crappy hatter juice.
Artie
November 12th, 2010
11:05 am
Just looking for ANYTHING to help UGA win, eh, Mark?!?! Absolutely worthless argument (for sitting Cam).
bearyh
November 12th, 2010
11:05 am
So his daddy only started demanding money and/or compensation after his Jr College success? I have trouble believing that. I wonder what deal he got to go to UF? Maybe the under the table dealings is why he felt entitled to procure a laptop while at UF.
My daddy always said that when you are doing business with a preacher keep your hand on your wallet at all times.
Uhoh
November 12th, 2010
11:05 am
Same kind of boneheaded logic that got us into the war in Iraq….
nick
November 12th, 2010
11:06 am
If the Newton’s are pinged Miss. St will be too. They are acting as if they are all innocent and did everything right, but that just isn’t true. Boosters are admitting they spoke to the father of a recruit. They have people other than coaches recruiting. It took them six months to give the SEC more information. Really! That busy with other compliance issues? I’m pretty sure this would be the biggest compliance issue. No, Miss. St. was trying to get their story straight and make sure their was no evidence against them. USC never paid any money either it was all boosters that got out of hand. Sounds like to me you have the same story here. Everyone is concentrating on Auburn, but Miss. St. is not as innocent as they seem.
Cobby
November 12th, 2010
11:06 am
I agree with UGAJD. It would nice to win and Cam plays.
Ed Zachary
November 12th, 2010
11:06 am
You all are dreaming if you think that Newton won’t be on the field Saturday afternoon.
sherry
November 12th, 2010
11:07 am
Whatever happened to “innocent until proven guilty”. Sounds to me like someone doesn’t want Auburn at the top. Funny how nothing has been brought up until Auburn reached number 1. I say play Newton because he has earned the right and he deserves it.
merculf
November 12th, 2010
11:07 am
BREAKING NEWS: Cam Newton is now being investigated on criminal charges related to intentional cruelty to animals. Video evidence has surfaced that he has intentionally applied beatings in recent weeks to bulldogs, hogs, tigers, chickens, rebel bears, wild cats, wolves, and snakes. He has publicly stated that he intends on beating more dawgs, elephants, gators, and ducks in the coming weeks.
Uhhhhhhh
November 12th, 2010
11:07 am
Call me crazy, but I get the feeling that the NCAA, SEC and Auburn all know more about the situation, facts, lies, stories and innuendos than you do, Mark.
They repeatedly have asked the SEC and NCAA for advice on Newton’s status. They STILL have not been told to sit him. (I know the NCAA cannot tell Auburn to sit Newton, but they do make strong recommendations.) According to the Auburn camp – no such recommendation has come.
@ AU FAN
November 12th, 2010
11:07 am
The “powers that be”, are they the same “powers that be” that were at Auburn when they were on probation the other 7 times? Maybe Auburn fans should be saying “Oh no not again” rather than “Why us?”
BMDPD
November 12th, 2010
11:07 am
Newton should play. What does it matter now? It doesn’t matter if he is a P.O.S. He is a baller. That is what our society dictates.
Bo Knows...
November 12th, 2010
11:07 am
Puppies want him to sit cause they gonna get they a$$ whipped if he play!!! Dat way they can beat they chest and tell everybody how GREAT they is and how IF this,this,this,this,this,this,this and this woulda happened they would be undefeated and be darin dem falcons to play um woof woof
longdog
November 12th, 2010
11:08 am
Auburn is lying if they say they have investigated all the phone records Pray tell how they got MSU’s coach’s phone records and John Bonds and Kenny Rogers
gdawginkalamazoo
November 12th, 2010
11:08 am
Mark, he has to play. No sense in sitting him now. I would recommend that they keep the offering plates in Auburn sections when they pass them.
Doubter
November 12th, 2010
11:08 am
No offense, but you have misused the legal term “burden of proof.” The burden of proof is always on the accuser. Auburn/Cam is being accused. It is not their responsibility or obligation to prove their innocence, it is their accusers prerogative to prove their guilt. Basically, you are innocent until proven guilty. However, you maybe be right. It seems with all these new (and sometimes contradicting) allegations coming out hourly, perhaps we as a society need the accused to prove their innocence. But history tells that when this becomes the mindset, everyone should be afraid. (e.g. Salem Witch Trials, Red Scare)
troy
November 12th, 2010
11:08 am
Wow, a Georgia paper, 50 miles from Athens reporting “Why Auburn Can’t let Cam play” this Saturday against their home state school. I wonder if this article would have been written if we were playing some other team
Chuck
November 12th, 2010
11:09 am
Nope. You missed this one Mark. If he did it, Auburn’s whole season is wiped out. Georgia doesn’t need the stigma of “They only beat Auburn because Cam didn’t play.” The SEC and NCAA investigation proceeds at a snail’s pace. That’s clearly part of the problem. And is it entirely clear that Miss State didn’t talk about offering something? Not to me at least. And why this late into the season is all this coming out? The whole system is pretty corrupt, primarily because of booster money. What I want to know is, ‘Did any money change hands?’ Show me the money.
LCDawg
November 12th, 2010
11:09 am
Auburn is going too play him all the way through then cry about how they were rail roaded by the NCAA. I have a feeling AU did nothing wrong but Cecil Newton should be ashamed especially since he’s a “preacher”. Thanks Dad….
georgey
November 12th, 2010
11:09 am
Punish his dad, not him!
T Dog
November 12th, 2010
11:09 am
Fear the thumb UA !
UGA’s looking at 5 in a roll.
do-dah do-dah
November 12th, 2010
11:09 am
Auburn will roll the dice- he will play!!!
longdog
November 12th, 2010
11:09 am
I want him to play sat. so there will be no doubt or excuses when the dawgs kick butt
Ghost of Jonnie Cochran
November 12th, 2010
11:09 am
This isn’t funny;
My client took no money.
He plays for school pride;
He has nothing to hide.
When he’s on the field he can’t be stopped;
Hey, has anyone seen my laptop?
Cam is just like his dad, the apple doesn’t fall far;
There goes Cecil now driving his new car.
These are all rumors so let’s not be rash;
You want to convict, show me the cash!
AU FAN
November 12th, 2010
11:10 am
Cam Newton regardless of whom you pull for, regardless if his father shopped him around- HE IS the best college football player on the field. That in itself , cannot be challenged, questioned or denied.
DogEatDog
November 12th, 2010
11:10 am
Auburn Press Conference to be announced for 3:00 eastern.
BMDPD
November 12th, 2010
11:10 am
Bye-bye Auburn. It was nice knowing you. You will have UT’s record in a few years. Good luck recruiting when you only have 5 scholarships. I hope it was worth it to you.
Chris Phillips
November 12th, 2010
11:10 am
Bo don’t know diddly. Is that whipped cream you were referring to?