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
Roll Tide Roll
November 12th, 2010
11:11 am
I am not going to take the high road here. Auburn is the sewer of our state, rats like the Newtons belong in a sewer.
Pat Pittman
November 12th, 2010
11:11 am
Your logic goes against the fundamental principle of ‘Innocent Until Proven Guilty”. I think back to the Centennial Olympic Park bombing in 1996 and the character assassination of Richard Jewel. First it was just a few suspicions and then everyone began piling on. Reported phone calls, unnamed sources of where he had been and things he had said. Only one problem…. He was found to be totally innocent!! He lost every… his job, his friends and never did recover his reputation.
In the words of Jason Robards in “All the President’s Men”, when is someone going to go on the record. All journalist today seem to have the integrity of the National Inquire. Run with anything. Not my fault if the guy happens to be innocent and his life is destroyed.
Think about it Mark. Let say you had your best year as a reporter and you were up for a Pulitzer Prize and just a few weeks before the announcement of the winner some came forward accusing you of being a drug addict. The person talked with several reporters, changed his story several times and his sources were off the record and unnamed. Institution with credibility come forward and say he has been drug tested and we have never seen a problem… but the shady characters keep talking up the accusations. How were you feel if folks started asking you to withdraw you nomination from the process. Sure it’s a once in a life time opportunity that you could never get back but you need to withdraw until it can be properly investigate.
How stupid is that logic. I don’t know if he is guilty or not… but neither do you! If the majority of folks followed your logic then anyone could get the best player from any team to sit out key game by simply making an accusation.
Let the process play out before you convict the man!
Morgan Phillips
November 12th, 2010
11:12 am
As an Auburn fan, I was a little worried when I first read this article. But then I looked at this Mark Bradley guy’s reputation in sports writing. I feel much better now. Check out the ‘More of Mark Bradley’ link at the top of this page. He’s got more haters than Nick Saban in Baton Rouge.
War Eagle.
NOTSO FAST
November 12th, 2010
11:12 am
It is all of nothing for Auburn. If Newton was paid then the year is lost. The Dawgs need to win with Newton playing
Bravissimo
November 12th, 2010
11:12 am
MB……Without getting into the arguments for or against Newton playing.
Is there any precedent of this in the ncaa?
BMDPD
November 12th, 2010
11:12 am
RTR, why take the high road? AU obviously didn’t.
Pcon2590
November 12th, 2010
11:13 am
Don’t you think that AU has investigated this several months ago when it was first brought to their attention. This is old news for AU and the SEC/NCAA. They have done their investigations and found nothing. These liars just got wind of this investigation and want to stir up everything in the headlines. Here is what I am hearing from the media, If you can’t trust Kenny Rogers and John Bond then who can you trust. IT”S OLD NEWS!!!
Harry
November 12th, 2010
11:14 am
Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty. Just look at the AJC front page and it’s clear that sensationalism and rumor are more important that factual stories. It’s ridiculous calling for Newton not to play based on hearsay. I’m not an Auburn fan but Georgia tops the list on off the field bad conduct.
Miller
November 12th, 2010
11:14 am
Mark – I disagree with your analysis. Unvetted third-hand accusations with no witnesses can simply not be acceptable for requiring sanctions against anyone for anything. The person making the statement is also a little suspect. Your point is that Auburn should disprove these accusations. No way.
Ron D
November 12th, 2010
11:14 am
Concur with @DanWeiner
Jim 007
November 12th, 2010
11:14 am
Bradley, you must have bet on Georgia
You are Clueless
trey
November 12th, 2010
11:15 am
If the reports are true that Cecil Newton has lawyered up, that’s pretty telling.
It actually may be in the dawg’s best interest if Cam plays. He may be so distracted that he can’t focus to play well. The backup QB may be so jacked up that he carries them to the big win.
Auburnthis
November 12th, 2010
11:15 am
Auburn that….Some of you are missing the point!!! MSU has three names not one but THREE, Kenny Rogers,Bond,Bell.There you have it three names NOT just Kenny Rogers. I don’t care if Auburn plays Cam or not.But the problem happened at MSU and you are using a player involved.Tell me WHY these guys are making their own school look bad? PLEASE Auburn fans tell us?????
AU FAN
November 12th, 2010
11:15 am
DOD EAT DOG- where did you get the press conf. info?? what site?
gcs
November 12th, 2010
11:15 am
I am certain that Auburn will do a diligent and meticulous in-house investigation and report all their findings to the SEC and NCAA.
Just kidding.
.
Bo Jackson
November 12th, 2010
11:15 am
I only got a new car. Man for 180 G’s I wouldn’t have taken myself out so much.
Southerngirl
November 12th, 2010
11:15 am
Again these are allegations that AUBURN has been aware of since before this season began. Rest assured that they have done their homework on this and this is just a case of he said she said. Now a writer for the AJC says AUBURN shouldn’t play CAM. Well, wonder why a DAWG fan would say that!!!! Go CAM GO AUBURN and let’s let sleeping dogs lie, which is all Georgis has been this year, sleeping dawgs.
BD
November 12th, 2010
11:15 am
Mark, thank goodness I don’t see the title “Commissioner” in front of your name. No one is more upset about these allegations than the Auburn faithful. But right now, that’s all we are dealing with — allegations. Hard to believe you don’t have a bit of a conflict of interest yourself – (soften up AU to save UGA season).
You’ve aired out your one-sided view of Auburn dirty laundry – thanks very much. If violations were committed, we’ll be calling for the clean-up crews ourselves. Until then, get your defense ready.
bassboat
November 12th, 2010
11:15 am
auburn certainly has reason for suspicion. If they ignore it they will die a death of 1000 cuts. They and they alone will make their own bed. To think that they would be above the fray and sit cam down is to pay no attention to their past. The 1000 cuts will prevail.
Headley Lamar
November 12th, 2010
11:15 am
I would enjoy this years edition of ” The deep souths oldest rivalry”
Sadly it maybe the last one we see for awhile.
MississipiDawgFan
November 12th, 2010
11:16 am
I agree MSU looks bad, but (if allegations are true) so do Cecil and Cam Newton…Auburn is, unfortunately, guilty by association…Cam may be a great kid and he’s certainly a gifted athlete, but Aub had to know this was a risky move. You know the saying, where there is smoke there is fire…and to me this seems like a Reggie Bush type deal all over again…Reggie was also a good kid and a gifted athlete…but look at what happened to USC…the Real truth won’t come out for a long time and by then Cam is playing in NFL. All that said, I’m hoping he’s behind center tomorrow – let the chips fall later.
Frank Drackman
November 12th, 2010
11:16 am
Mark, someone told me they heard someone who knew someone who heard that you killed Jon Benet Ramsey…
I know its been almost 14 years..the Statue of Limitations doesnt run out on Murder…
auburn
November 12th, 2010
11:16 am
UGA wantad Cam as a TE, wow, what a scouting report,i see why they are losing, they recruit great black QBs and put them at other positions what QB on UGAs team is BETTER than him?
Mjones
November 12th, 2010
11:16 am
Wow, a guy from Atlanta wanting Newton to sit out for the Georgia game… so much for unbiased journalism…
Jim Pierce
November 12th, 2010
11:16 am
Cam will most likely go Pro next year. And he will most likely command a huge sum of money. Does anyone think that Cecil Newton doesn’t know that? It makes no sense that Cecil would ask for a “pay for play” for one year of College football. Sounds to me like Cecil decided that Auburn had a great offensive line, and Cam was a better fit for exposure at Auburn.
On the other hand: Mullin , ex coach at Florida, now coach at MSU, and two ex-players at MSU are the only ones making allegations. hmmmmmm
Feds and the NCAA have had financial records of Cecil for some time. Where’s the charges? John Bond and Rogers are the ones with the heat on them. Bond said in an article yesterday, that “Auburn has done nothing wrong”.
Some sleezebag under investigation with the NFL obviously tried to pry money away from MSU. Both Rogers and Bond have said that they never talked to Auburn about money. Rogers has $11000 out there in bad checks, and a failing business.
Can anyone put two and two together?
Wilgochev99
November 12th, 2010
11:16 am
First of all,
The burden of proof is still that they need to prove that he in fact did do something. There are still no facts or hard evidence. You are assuming he his guilty until proven innocent. You’re quite an American… touting a great judicial system until you want it to work in you favor then wanting it changed. Great job there.
Second,
What does the football program’s past violations have to do with the current investigation? Further, what does a football program’s violation have to do with the academic reputation of a school. If that is you’re thinking hen you in fact think that football is the major driving of an academic institution. It isn’t, Auburn understands that. It is an entirely different aspect of the university. Look at you trying to suggest otherwise and muddy up Auburn’s academic reputation. Or worse, try and make them think that this will affect that aspect of the institution and should pull him even though there is no solid evidence. That could hurt this boy for years.
In conclusion, It seems you are just trying to further your UGA-Bulldogs here. The fact is, you just want to play Auburn w/o because you’re scared of him. Wait, is that a fact? We can use it as one just as you are trying to use the opinions and comments of others as fact to oust Cam before your team plays them. Way to try and further your own agenda with this posting “Journalist”
droopydawg
November 12th, 2010
11:16 am
I didn’t realize until reading this article that Auburn even HAD classrooms.
Headley Lamar
November 12th, 2010
11:17 am
Again Auburn has cheated so many times in the past its kind of hard to believe em when they say they didnt this time.
BMDPD
November 12th, 2010
11:17 am
All who say “innocent until proven guilty”, just remember that past results usually indicate future performance. He was a scumbag at UF! Yet, at AU he is clean and shiny. Yeah Right! HAHAHAHA
Football Fan
November 12th, 2010
11:17 am
Nice article, another weak writer trying to publish more undocumented crap allegations against a program and kid. Let it be known I am not either a UGA or Auburn fan – but a fan of the game. Before you cast stones at across state lines about character you should examine the arrest records and other challenges in your GA glass house. Bottom line – these are kids at all the schools and they do screw up from time to time but historically we find the truth always emerges and corrupt adults with agendas are normally at the source. The NCAA should focus on these points of interest period. If I see another headline about this issue, I’ll probably pass – unless it says the NCAA did the proper research and made XXXX decisions.
Ken
November 12th, 2010
11:17 am
That’s the only way Georgia will beat Auburn. Sit him for what? Because he said, she said, Please!
DaveDawg96
November 12th, 2010
11:17 am
Man, let him play. Auburn is “all in” at this point. I still believe in innocent until PROVEN guilty. Of course, if he and Auburn are guilty, they deserve the death penalty.
porta pottie
November 12th, 2010
11:17 am
And the hits just keep on coming!! College football had become Drama Central. The Game itself is no longer important, it’s all about celebrity, pomp and circumstance now. It’s all about the $$$, true champions win with heart and soul. College football has neither….
c. tide
November 12th, 2010
11:18 am
I certainly hope that fig newton plays this week and against alabama – ga and bama want to play the best or the victory is diluted .
Jim Pierce
November 12th, 2010
11:18 am
Mississippi fan: “Where there is smoke there is fire” …. PERHAPS the smoke is coming from the fire John Bond and Rogers?????? lol
Dirty Dawg
November 12th, 2010
11:18 am
Where to start…of course Auburn has more to lose if they should play him and then have to forfeit all their games somewhere down the line. They’ll have more to lose, as Bradley says, in that their reputation will have been smeared across the country in a case that has already out-stripped the USC Reggie Bush mess in it’s publicity. Plus, the NCAA will do a hellofalot more to Auburn for it’s role in this than they did to USC for ‘failure of institutional control and oversight – I wouldn’t be surprised if ‘death penalty’ was mentioned…and besides, it wasn’t USC boosters that paid for the Bush’s family home, it was a sports agent.
At the same time, as a Bulldog fan from way, way, back, I want to beat these guys and I want to beat them with young Mr. Newton at QB. After all, there’s no guarantee that whoever their backup guy is wouldn’t have a miraculous game – remember Heath Shuler that year in Athens?
As for Miss State’s guilt in this, unless it comes out that they were simply ‘out-bid’ for Newton’s services, they don’t appear to have done anything wrong. Then again if they were stalling he SEC on the evidence in order to scrub it or dump it, then that’s a different story also.
pk
November 12th, 2010
11:18 am
Why the AJC cannot allow Mark Bradley to run a blog or report on their site for at least two weeks- Mark Bradley should be punished for his disregard of journalistic ethics for repeating, no regurgitating spiteful rumors and allegations from very questionable sources before ALL of the facts are on the table, and then making his personal opinion a headline with no supporting evidence of ANY NCAA violations. The AJC should question wether they want their reputation to become one of “report BS to get clicks on our website” or one of thorough professional journalism.
robodawg
November 12th, 2010
11:18 am
Gotta believe Newton will play, whether he should or not.
I also find it hard to believe Auburn directly made any sort of payments to Newton’s family. But that some toxic booster might have made their own arrangements is very possible.
Kenny D
November 12th, 2010
11:18 am
I agree with DawginLex and Why not play him (C. Newton) and the Dawgs need a game against a High Caliber player (C. Newton).
Also Mark you need to make sure your Laundry at UGA as well ! Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!
By the way folks……These scenarios just been in College sports for years ! Until the NCAA starting cracking down !
Just like steroids in sports and you if you this the Bond”s, Big Mac’s, Sosa’s and the Clemens ! This been happening a longtime folks………….
Headley Lamar
November 12th, 2010
11:19 am
they recruit great black QBs and put them at other positions what QB on UGAs team is BETTER than him?
We had DJ Shockley at QB and won an SEC Championship with him just a few years ago.
AUGal
November 12th, 2010
11:19 am
Has anyone found the money? If there is a $100,000-180,000 dollar deal floating around out there then ’show me the money’. I find it hard to believe a transaction that large doesn’t have a paper trail! If the allegations are true there should be plenty of evidence and the punishment should apply. It would stink for AU but hey that’s the game. If you can’t put the money on the table then everyone should shut up and let the boys play some good ole Southern style football! This shouldn’t be so complicated!
Scott
November 12th, 2010
11:19 am
Why should Auburn sit him, because you doubt him. I don’t think so. If Cam is ineligible he will be ineligible for the previous 10 games as well so why stop now. As for the allegations, Rogers credibility is in serious jepordy here. He said last week that he knew nothing and was never asked for money by the Newtons, now he says it did happen so what is it. Did Mr. Rogers lie last week or did he lie yesterday? Which is it.
Jimmy
November 12th, 2010
11:19 am
Yeah AU fan…he is clearly the best professional athlete in all of College football.
mary
November 12th, 2010
11:20 am
SEC spokesman Charles Bloom said Wednesday evening that there was also no mention of the reported conversations in either of the school’s reports to the league:
http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/sec-espn-report-is-wrong-calls-not-reported-29230
We have to wait for FACTS to come out. This shows that one thing has already been wrong. Plus Bond has come out with two different stories. It would be horrible if all this turned out to be rumors against a great football player. I wish people would validate their facts before they release their articles. Or admit, they misquoted someone. Wishful thinking, I know.
No Contest
November 12th, 2010
11:20 am
AU 41
UGA 17
Lawman
November 12th, 2010
11:21 am
Hey droopy dawg – I got sever UGA alum working for me an Auburn alum – need a job yet – have your benefits run out?
MrAttitude
November 12th, 2010
11:21 am
I am very impressed at the maturity of Cam throughtout this ordeal. I get sick and tired of when anyone can go to the media and present a bold face lie about illegal recruiting and how these brain dead sports writers jump on the story like a dog on a bone. Just goes to prove that a person is always guilty until proven innocent.
Just wondered would this have been a big story if Cam had enrolled at Mississippi State?
Frank Drackman
November 12th, 2010
11:21 am
Mark Bradley (allegedly) has anal sex with little boys
dead little boys.
Allegedly
Headley Lamar
November 12th, 2010
11:21 am
I can put two and two together.
Auburn has a proud history of playing players + Multiple people are saying his dad was requesting money to play football = Guilty as hell.
Les Miles
November 12th, 2010
11:22 am
sit Newton; I’ve got another National Championship to play for…