Cam’s the man in college football, and now he’s free to play
Yet another precinct heard from. (Rainy-day photo by M. Bradley)
BREAKING NEWS: The NCAA has ruled Cam Newton eligible. Technically the NCAA ruled him ineligible for one day and has reinstated him. Another post is upcoming.
Auburn, Ala. – The wayfaring journey of Cameron Jerrell Newton has turned for home: From College Park and Westlake High to Florida and Auburn with a Texas junior college in between, and now back to Atlanta for Saturday’s SEC championship. It should be one of the happiest stories in the history of the sport, but its hero has gone missing in plain sight.
Auburn’s coach was asked Tuesday when the best player in college football might again be made available to the media, something that hasn’t happened for two weeks. Said Gene Chizik: “I’m going to stay on the path of commenting directly on his play.”
A reporter noted that SEC rules call for every player to be available for interviews after the title game and asked if Auburn would comply with league policy. Chizik: “I’m going to stay on the path of making comments on the championship game or the previous 12 games.”
More intriguing was how often Chizik, in the course of a 33-minute briefing, mentioned his best player by name — once. (He called him “Cameron.”) Asked by this correspondent if playing such a massive game in his hometown might heighten the pressure on Newton to an unbearable level, Chizik didn’t even deploy the third-person singular, meaning “he” or “him”, in his response. He went plural, both in the first and third person, all the way.
Chizik: “We’ve had a lot of big moments to get to this point, in my opinion, as a team and individually … We’ve all kind of been here before at some point in the other games. I think that’s big for us, and I think that’s big for our players individually. I’m hoping that this would not be any different. They don’t give me any reason to believe they’ll respond differently.”
Weird. You cannot take two steps in the Loveliest Village of the Plain without hearing or seeing some mention of Cam Newton. (See the example above, photographed outside Momma Goldberg’s Deli — home of the “Pastrama Momma” — on Thach Avenue.) No serious discussion of college football can commence anywhere in these United States without lip service being paid to the irresistible Tiger quarterback. Yet it’s as if the man who coaches Newton dare not speak his name.
Given the twists in this tale, Auburn’s skittishness is understandable. Since the first ESPN report on Nov. 4 that the former Mississippi State quarterback John Bond (formerly of Valdosta) had been told it would cost serious money for Newton to play for the Bulldogs, the Tigers have awaited the next shoe dropping. Who knew Newton’s story housed more shoes than Imelda Marcos’ closet?
We’ve heard from two more MSU voices, the ex-players Kenny Rogers and Bill Bell. We’ve been informed by FoxSports.com that Newton left Florida under suspicion of cheating. We’ve heard, via Mark Winne of Channel 2 Action News, that Newton’s father Cecil has admitted to someone that he sought money from Mississippi State. The air (and airwaves) became so charged it wasn’t clear if Cam Newton would play against Georgia on Nov. 13 until he took part in the pregame Tiger Walk, leaping and shouting and high-fiving, and entered Jordan-Hare Stadium, pausing to kneel at the goalpost.
Newton was great that day, greater still against hated Alabama in Tuscaloosa last week. The Tigers trailed 24-0, won 28-27. Asked if Newton’s performance had been “one for the ages,” Chizik again took the big-picture tack: “At some point we’re going to have a chance to breathe and look back and realize how monumental that was … I don’t know how many teams in the course of history would have been able to do that.”
Win Saturday and Newton’s team will play for the BCS title in Glendale, Ariz., on Jan. 10. That is, however, a long way off — plenty of time for more investigative work, more allegations. Newton will surely have to break his silence when he wins the Heisman Trophy, which is announced Dec. 11, but even then the man of the year in college football is apt to remain a man of mystery.
On Tuesday, the tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen, who’s from Lassiter High in Marietta, spoke of and essentially for his quarterback. “Business as usual for Cam is basically straight goofball,” Lutzenkirchen told reporters. “He’s always joking around, always messing with everyone. That hasn’t changed at all throughout this year.”
As for Newton himself: The son of a preacher is holding his peace. Asked if the most valuable and visible Tiger was planning to address the media, a helpful Auburn staffer pointed to the entrance of the Athletic Center and said: “He’s going to walk through that door … and keep on going.”
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452 comments Add your comment
Bob
December 1st, 2010
12:48 pm
All you AU haters need to quit crying can accept the fact that your team got beat.
'94 Dawg
December 1st, 2010
12:48 pm
Hal Combo…..your War Cheaters won those games with a PAID player. After Auburn is stripped of the wins, that will make FIVE wins in a row for the Dawgs!!!
WinderDogg
December 1st, 2010
12:49 pm
and the ignorance of fans like DC…thanks for helping me out
Bob
December 1st, 2010
12:50 pm
“Lets see these FACTS! I am an Auburn fan and if there are FACTS out there I am ready to see them too. Until then shut it down and root for another SEC team to bring the crystal back to the south. Biggest bunch of sore loser whiners I have ever heard.”
Amen brother
More Facts...
December 1st, 2010
12:51 pm
The NCAA concluded on Monday that a violation of amateurism rules occurred, therefore Auburn University declared the student-athlete ineligible yesterday for violations of NCAA amateurism rules.
WinderDogg
December 1st, 2010
12:52 pm
Go Cocks…if you beat them…Go Ducks!
FlyDownTheField
December 1st, 2010
12:53 pm
Mark, you should have held your column a little longer; the NCAA has just announced Cam is eligible to compete at Auburn. All the rest of you haters can just suck it up and move on now.
Unbelievable
December 1st, 2010
12:54 pm
Eat it Haters! Vacate these wins you whiny sore losers. Biggest bunch of babies I have ever heard.
NCAA clears Auburn and Rules Cam Newton Eligible to Play!!
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/12/ncaa_rules_auburns_cam_newton.html
MikeP
December 1st, 2010
12:54 pm
Let’s see here: Kenny Rogers is a street agent that’s trying to stay out of jail in Mississippi for extortion and passing bad checks. He’s already changed his story three times. Did Bond and Rogers discuss the alleged Newton deal or haven’t they talked in 20 years? Both can’t be true.
Even Rogers with all his lying has said he knows of no connection to Auburn.
A good story in the Houston Chronicle exposed the lie about Newton’s acadenic problems at Florida. And guess what? That article has actual sources that are willing to give their names and job titles, not some imaginary “anonymous source”.
This whole thing has gone much better since Auburn started “no commenting” the press. Auburn and Cam Newton should continue that, considering the odd twists and lack of concern for the truth that some “journalists” have demonstrated.
There is no investigation of Auburn University’s recruitment of Cam Newton. You guys need to accept that. If there is a problem, MSU has that problem.
We get that you don’t like Coach Chizik’s interview style and policies. I suggest the AJC should get someone else to cover his pressers.
DC
December 1st, 2010
12:55 pm
Not ignorant but I’m not going to put someone in jail for allegations…maybe you need to move to china or north korea
More Facts...
December 1st, 2010
12:56 pm
Mike Slive: “The conduct of Cam Newton’s father & the involved individual is unacceptable & has no place in SEC or intercollegiate athletics.”
Volz02
December 1st, 2010
12:58 pm
Reading some of these posts, it’s obvious that some of you have NEVER been to a college classroom a day in your life. You just sit on the sofa and conjure up crap in your head to give your sorry lives a reason to live since your team lost. I don’t know who is worse – Bama fans or Dawg fans. Until the NCAA proves otherwise, Cam and the Tigers have done nothing wrong except make some of you miserable with their undeniable wins. I’m placing my pick with Tigers over Gamecocks this Saturday.
Jim Pierce
December 1st, 2010
12:58 pm
Bradley: You CONTINUE to be nothing more than a Cam basher. It started with the Ga. game, and never stops. What will you do when Cam is proven innocent??
Some questions for you: 1. Why hasn’t the NCAA or the SEC informed Auburn that Cam should not start anymore games? Not ONE request for that. 2. What happened to journalism? Proving the facts, and not jumping on allegations? Do YOU have any facts you can share about this case? Or just allegations?
NCAA CLEARS AUBURN AND CAM
December 1st, 2010
12:58 pm
Wait for the story it is coming out now and you all can eat your words! Losers!!!!!!!! 0-12 my A$$!
MikeP
December 1st, 2010
12:58 pm
All that crap is gone now!!! BHAHAHAHA, haters.
“The NCAA has has ruled Auburn quarterback Cam Newton is eligible to compete after looking into his recruitment at Auburn and Mississippi State.
The NCAA’s statement said:
“Auburn University football student-athlete Cam Newton is immediately eligible to compete, according to a decision today by the NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff. The NCAA concluded on Monday that a violation of amateurism rules occurred, therefore Auburn University declared the student-athlete ineligible yesterday for violations of NCAA amateurism rules”
There are no penalties against Auburn or Newton, and no wins are in jeopardy.”
Find your own link, I don’t respect you haters enough to provide it form you.
Old Gold
December 1st, 2010
12:59 pm
Auburn will lose the game and maybe the football program! Not worth it to have faith in a criminal!
cory
December 1st, 2010
12:59 pm
CAM officially eligible by NCAA. No more story. Wins stay intact.
CASH FOR CAM
December 1st, 2010
1:00 pm
Hey, has anyone told the Gamecocks yet that you can hire ineligible players for the game Saturday? And by the way, Chizik knew!
More Facts...
December 1st, 2010
1:00 pm
Every athlete’s family can now demand payment for play without penalty.
Thank you sCam and Cecil Newton!
Aubie in the house
December 1st, 2010
1:02 pm
So all you armchair NCAA Executives. The REAL NCAA has spoken. It appears they’ve concluded their investigation of Cam’s eligibility at Auburn! This is all over the sports media outlets! Dated December 1!!!! Read it and weep you leghumpers and rammer jammers!!
“The NCAA has has ruled Auburn quarterback Cam Newton is eligible to compete after looking into his recruitment at Auburn and Mississippi State.”
Renee honey…..you were saying?
Steve Spurrier
December 1st, 2010
1:02 pm
I don’t care if Auburn beats the Atlanta Falcons they’re still a bunch of crooks and Thugs !
More Facts...
December 1st, 2010
1:03 pm
Good thing the Newton family only demanded pay for play, not anything major like selling one’s jersey.
RTR
gdawginkalamazoo
December 1st, 2010
1:05 pm
Maybe somebody can take a look at the rule about family members receiving benefits whether or not the player knew about it. This is a tough case. The thing with Bush is that HE was taking money and his family too. Two different cases. But WOW, how interesting this whole thing is. Can’t make it up unless somebody made it up.
Bitter
December 1st, 2010
1:05 pm
You all sound so bitter.
autiger83
December 1st, 2010
1:06 pm
CAM IS CLEARED TO PLAY. NCAA ANNOUNCES TODAY. AUBURN WITHOUT BLAME IN RECRUITMENT.
SUCK ON THAT HATERS.
DC
December 1st, 2010
1:06 pm
hahaha whats up Cobb Dawg??
juvenal
December 1st, 2010
1:06 pm
ncaa just clered him……
Aubie in the house
December 1st, 2010
1:07 pm
WindderDogg,
What are you? Like 18? I was AT that game in 86 when Auburn was FORCED to turn on the water cannons. After Georgia won that day, the entire student section on the Georgia side emptied out, scaled the field fence and ran to the center of our turf and began pulling it up. The only way to get those leghumpers to stop digging up the lawn was to get their attention. And just like good little puppies, they retreated. Turf upkeep at a stadium is huge money. We’d do it again.
God Bless America... and no one else
December 1st, 2010
1:07 pm
Wow….people need to SO grow up. Everyone really needs to read the posts here from beginning to end. If that doesn’t embarrass you, you desrve to root for UGA for the rest of your life.
mike
December 1st, 2010
1:07 pm
Good job moron. Cam was just ruled eligible immediately. How dumb do you feel now for not only this story, but that absurd story telling auburn to sit him for the UGA game
Aubie-won-knobi
December 1st, 2010
1:09 pm
CAM and AU INNOCENT!!! The NCAA just confirmed what the AU family already knew!! Woot!! Woot!!! Looks like leghumpers and rammer jammers have to live with it 12-0 and counting!
49-31!!!
28-27!!!
Forever in the books!
BR-ATL
December 1st, 2010
1:09 pm
Who can blame Auburn or Cam Newton for staying away from the media at this point. The “media” has been practicing without a license in this “investigation.” All of these sports reporters think they are Woodward, but the difference is Woodward demanded to see “evidence” first hand before he reported it. True, he protected his “source”, but he knew the source was highly credible.
Cam Newton is accused of cheating at Florida. This has been denied by Florida, but the media runs with it anyway. Cam Newton’s father is accused of sending text messages asking for money. But the messages actually came from an employee for an unscrupulous agent who is losing his standing with the NFL. The MSU booster who received the messages said he can’t produce them now because his phone doesn’t work. Kenny Rogers is losing his ability to make a living with NFL players, so perhaps he is trying to run scams with college players to pay the bills. Why the media doesn’t crawl all over this guy is beyond me. He has ruined the best college football story of the last 10 years, but his credibility is never challenged.
Mark, please use your platform to investigate MSU boosters (former players, whatever) taking phone calls about recruits during recruiting season. Please investigate Kenny Rogers, who is in the business of “matching” college players with schools. He said he approached the Newtons pro-actively. How does he make a living “matching” players with colleges? Who pays for that service? Does he do this service for free? For future influence as an agent if the player turns pro?
Tweets that mention Cam’s the man in college football, but mum’s the Auburn word | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
December 1st, 2010
1:09 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by rem simanovski and Chuck Bedgood, AUTigerWire. AUTigerWire said: http://bit.ly/WireAU Cam's the man in college football, but mum's the #Auburn word #NCAA #Sports http://bit.ly/f6Nm07 [...]
Aubie-won-knobi
December 1st, 2010
1:10 pm
Cobb Dawg
Scam Eagle
December 1st, 2010
1:10 pm
Reinstatement decisions are independent of the NCAA enforcement process and typically are made once the facts of the student-athlete’s involvement are determined. The reinstatement process is likely to conclude prior to the close of an investigation.
This is a temporary position to save the BCS game from scandal. The hammer will still come down. Count on it.
Aubie-won-knobi
December 1st, 2010
1:11 pm
Cobb Dawg!
What’s up old Buddy!! I know of a large cat that can help you break that leg humping habit you have.
Gene Cheesestick
December 1st, 2010
1:12 pm
Gotta run, have a interview with a hot new recruite at the Alabama Dept. of Corrections !
Aubie-won-knobi
December 1st, 2010
1:12 pm
LOL @ Scam Eagle
Still trying to mount that OFFICIAL dead horse! You made my day. We’re happy to assist in making your life so miserable that you live in total denial.
War Damn Eagle!!!!!
Chris K
December 1st, 2010
1:13 pm
Hate to break the news to all you haters and mullet heads whose teams have been trampled by Cam and Company… The NCAA has found Newton COMPLETELY ELIGIBLE and no games have been forfieted. Gee, kind of what they’ve been saying all along down in Auburn. Suck on it haters!
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/12/ncaa_rules_auburns_cam_newton.html
johnny fontane
December 1st, 2010
1:13 pm
Nothing more to see here. Please move along.
Nick Satan
December 1st, 2010
1:13 pm
Gotta run, have an interview with a hot new shrink at the Alabama Bryce Institute for the mentally insane!
Gonna End
December 1st, 2010
1:13 pm
Hey DC…pretty sure when I was 18 I didn’t steal a laptop…pretty sure I didn’t turn in other people’s papers and call them my own…the Heisman is not just about what a player does on the field…it’s sad but you’re right…he’ll probably win it…and then he’ll give it back…the Heisman will eventually become a big joke…I mean who’ll give a crap about an award that is given to paid players…maybe it can become a rookie award in the NFL
Anotine Dodson
December 1st, 2010
1:14 pm
NCAA — in best Antoine Dodson voice — ‘Shop ya kids, shop ya wife’
It’s all GOOD!
Auburn Redhead
December 1st, 2010
1:14 pm
Where’s all our haters!!!!!???? Bow to our feet and apologize. We promise to perform the hymnick while you choke on that crow!!!!!!
SuzieQ
December 1st, 2010
1:14 pm
I guess those wins won’t be vacated after all.
L-Dawg
December 1st, 2010
1:15 pm
I also agree with 42-34, and will take the argument a step further. This whole mess has the potential to bring down not only Auburn, and the SEC but also the BCS. If Auburn wins the SEC and Oregon finishes undefeated, the BCS & NCAA now OWN the problem.
Maybe Auburn planned it this way and that’s a bit of evil genius. They went all in on CM and made it the SEC’s problem by not suspending. Slive and company are cowards and did nothing pushing the problem down the road.
The only way the powers that be get out of this is if Auburn loses Saturday. If not, then they have to choose between the money or integrity. What do you people think will happen?
ShaneAU
December 1st, 2010
1:15 pm
hahahaha….all this talk about buying Cam and so on and so forth, you know why the AU family hasn’t commented? Because we don’t have to, we sit back and laugh at you fools. You all talk about how this pay for play at AU is something new, keep in mind Bammers, you’re history of pay-for-play is not necessarily clean as “a preacher’s sheets” either, so hush it. Let me remind you that no one has YET to point the finger at Auburn for doing anything wrong, NOR Cam Newton directly, it’s been all about his father Cecil, that unfortunately, sucks for Cam and Auburn. As far as how big of a deal this is, if we hadn’t been winning this season, there wouldn’t be near the talk there is right now, but since we are undefeated, you guys act like the world is coming to an end. I’m sorry we spotted you guys 24 points and then beat you, but deal with it, we’re winning, you’re not. End of story.
Auburn Redhead
December 1st, 2010
1:16 pm
Gonna End,
Not bitter much, are you?! LMAO!!! You are soooo pathetic! CAM for Heisman!!!! AU is 12-0 and going nowhere!!!!
#1 BAMA FAN
December 1st, 2010
1:17 pm
I got yor facts…You are correct sir! The FBI has over a years worth of wire taps from this. I believe they stumbled on to CamGate while building their extortion, money laundering case. Lowders Colonial Bank was supposedly worth billions but was liquidated for about a million….make it rain baby. RTR
Hollywould
December 1st, 2010
1:17 pm
Winderdog, shouldn’t it be whinerdog? You got thumped/get over it. And by the way, all you pups who pulled for Bama please pull for the Cocks. Did you so much good last week losers.