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
jc_atl
December 1st, 2010
2:41 pm
I love reading all the bozos on here proclaiming that this will end badly for Auburn, DEATH PENALTY!!, SMU, blah blah blah OH NOES!!!!
The fact is, if you have evidence, I’m sure the NCAA would love the hear from you. Otherwise STFU and accept the ass-whipping that Auburn applied to every SEC team it has faced so far this year.
Cam will win the Heisman – that much is now assured.
Sports news » Cam's the man in college football, and now he's free to play …
December 1st, 2010
2:41 pm
[...] Read more here: Cam's the man in college football, and now he's free to play … [...]
Gary
December 1st, 2010
2:41 pm
The SEC are a bunch of money whores on this one. The NCAA failed ot do the right thing. This is a black eye for college football. If this team wins the NC it will be questioned worse than techs so called split decision.
Reality Bytes
December 1st, 2010
2:41 pm
Mark,
C’mon you’re a professional journalist. Surely you know your photo would have been much better if you’d been closer to the sign. The rain wouldn’t have killed ya. At least roll down your window to take the photo.
jc_atl
December 1st, 2010
2:42 pm
DawgLink – how should Cecil be punished?
Gary
December 1st, 2010
2:42 pm
If you have to cheat to win you shouldn’t play
AU Alum
December 1st, 2010
2:43 pm
I’m guessing reading is a strong point for most of you. The NCAA has ruled Cam eligible after finding no wrong doing on his part. His dad and Rogers asked for money but there has been zero evidence to prove Cam has done anything wrong. You illiterate jackasses are posting as if the investigation is still on going. The NCAA has made their ruling and it’s back to their UGA and Bammer offices to check on text books and ebay sales.
All the conspiracy theories can be boxed away with Jimmy Hoffa and JFK.
BG
December 1st, 2010
2:44 pm
CHEATER!!!!!
SEC Fan
December 1st, 2010
2:44 pm
You are crazy if you think it’s over. Maybe the NCAA investigation is over, but the FBI is surely still investigating.
Gary
December 1st, 2010
2:47 pm
Auburn alumni should be embarrassed. No other fans think this is right. Everyone will ignore this year as the yeat Auburn bought the title. We used to have sympathy for the Auburn team that got left out. This does not make up for that. This will always hurt your reputation nationally. Every other school would have benched him. Auburn is a sad shell of what it used to be and college football is looking pretty dirty as a whole. The NCAA might as well start paying all of the players because it is going to get ugly with this one.
Integrity?
December 1st, 2010
2:49 pm
Rather unfortunate that no one cares about the fact, yes fact, that the kid cheated at least twice and possibly a third time at UF, but choose to leave so he could get more “playing time” or what we in the academic business call it…facing expulsion!
Scam Newton
December 1st, 2010
2:49 pm
Just because he is ruled eligible does not mean the investigation is over. As of now, they do not have the evidence to link him with his scam father, but they are still investigating.
AU Alum
December 1st, 2010
2:50 pm
SEC Fan, if I send you my email address, can/will you forward me your documents that the FBI has proof that AU or Cam has done anything wrong. If you won’t go to the press with it, I will. I’ll be happy to provide them with your evidence.
Your Breath Smells like Fish Fry Tacos
December 1st, 2010
2:50 pm
Something is not right here. Something stinks here.
GT
December 1st, 2010
2:53 pm
Tricky
BR-ATL
December 1st, 2010
2:53 pm
Miss State has plenty to worry about. Why don’t all of you auburn-haters take five minutes to ponder the fate of Miss State? Don’t you care that Miss State BOOSTERS have admitted that they were involved in recruiting discussions? I have not read one post where you guys are expressing rage towards Miss State. Since they didn’t win big this year, I guess you don’t care. There is no PROOF that Auburn offered money to the Newtons. It’s just the smoke/fire mentality, which is more fun to nosh around. It’s also lazy. Back up the allegations with facts.
Confused
December 1st, 2010
2:53 pm
This is so wrong. So AJ sells a jersy and sits 4 games. Cams dad offers his son up for money and gets a 24 hour ineligible status. If there is a question about his status Monday and declared ineligible, then do the previous games count? This opens up a dangerous avenue. Any kid can be paid to play as long as the relative does the talking and he/she claims they never knew anything about it. Bad move by the NCAA.
Gary
December 1st, 2010
2:54 pm
Crazy how fast the tide can turn. Auburn, the new most hated team in college football. Reputation may not be worth the wins boys. You put yourselves under a microscope. One mistake and the NCAA will have to bring down the house. 100 other teams think this is an unfair joke. The NCAA will wait until you are 7 & 5 a crush you for something stupid when it does not cost them anything.
Don't flatter yourself barners....
December 1st, 2010
2:55 pm
We don’t give a crap about you cheaters.. .we just like pi$$ing you off
ALL IN! (with the FBI)
SEC Fan
December 1st, 2010
2:56 pm
No, I cannot do send those documents. I can tell you that other investigations are ongoing.
“Rogers is scheduled to meet with officials from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office Dec. 9 to discuss the recruitment of Newton.” (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5870788)
Gary
December 1st, 2010
2:56 pm
Cheaters
LT
December 1st, 2010
2:56 pm
Overall a sad day for college football – potentially athletics in general, whether or not Auburn is guilty, problem is NCAA is basically saying there was wrong doing by Newton Sr. but only him, so he becomes the scape goat, and why does he care, misses two more games in person, son goes on to make millions in NFL, no one is accountable. Sad Part? How much will this begin to happen, at least much more in the open, all you have to say is I didn’t know anything about it, but my Dad did. Just go ahead and state that they are being paid, and get it over with, much more creditable, better yet…NFL is looking better all the time, at least you know where they stand, and that they are making a lot of money, fair playing field, college football no longer is anywhere near this, most money wins, and just deny it. If you are good enough it will all be Ok, sad. Becoming harder and harder to teach young kids virtue in sports, guess that is just being too simple.
AU Alum
December 1st, 2010
2:57 pm
I think each of you should be punished for something your parents did. If they went to jail, you should go to jail. If they got a speeding ticket, you should be fined. If they have ever done anything wrong without proof of your knowledge, you should be punished for it.
Is that what I’m reading?
Yes, Cecil was wrong for what he did and he should be punished. But to talk trash about Auburn and Cam when the facts show they’ve done nothing is just ignorant and childish. Take your loss and move on to next season.
Red
December 1st, 2010
2:58 pm
Bottom line is the NCAA says rules were broken and even confirms this with him being ruled ineligible by AU. But even after that, the NCAA immediately turns around and says “who cares a rule was broken?” and lets him go. This is insane. Some schools have the book thrown at them for rules being broken. Green gets blasted for selling a jersey but when Reverend Newton pimps his son off they get a pass? Cam may not have been paid but Daddy sure looks to be guilty. I still don’t see how all of this went on without Cam not knowing anything. You’re telling me daddy went on secret trips and had secret calls and Cam knew nothing? And Bonds or any of these other characters did not ask Cam or mention this in passing? The NCAA better hope Auburn loses on Saturday or what is left of their credibility is buried.
Gary
December 1st, 2010
2:58 pm
Casinos, ATM’s, daddies offer, cheating on tests, stolen laptops, you are a model student athlete please continue to represent college football with honor son. I need to go cash this check,
Scooter
December 1st, 2010
2:59 pm
BR-ATL
The Miss State guy has been disassociated. The coaches rejected the money.
gss303
December 1st, 2010
2:59 pm
What a class act family full of high character individuals.
SEC Fan
December 1st, 2010
3:00 pm
AU – It is ignorant to thing that Cecil was whoring his kid out to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars without Cam knowing it. C’mon man – wake up.
AllBarn is FINISHED!
December 1st, 2010
3:00 pm
Enjoy 2010
Because the NCAA is about to fill Jordan Hare with concrete!
No more SEC…
NO MORE FOOTBALL in Opelika!
Bye-Bye cheaters!
Happy St. Pat's
December 1st, 2010
3:01 pm
What about the MSU contact who says that Cam himself explained that Cam was going to Auburn because “the money was too good?” Has the MSU contact recanted, or been labeled a liar? If not, then how in the world could one conclude that Cam didn’t know?
Kapoonka
December 1st, 2010
3:02 pm
I believe if any actual money had crossed the Newton’s hands, it would have surfaced by now. None of this will stop Auburn from winning the SEC title, and Cam going on to a successful NFL career. I hope Auburn is not sanctioned after the fact…so far this is the case of smoke with no fire. None of this can take away from what he and Auburn has accomplished. Cam Newton is a rare talent, has been an absolute joy to watch and he has endured more scutiny than most of these punk arse bloggers will experience their entire lives. The scent of sour grapes is in the air for everyone wishing him and Auburn any ill will. Get over it.
DodgerDAWG
December 1st, 2010
3:02 pm
COVER-UP…this is a sham to keep the SECCG and the NCG between the SEC and PAC-10. To quote from the NCAA news release “When a school discovers an NCAA rules violation has occurred, it must declare the student-athlete ineligible and may request the student-athlete’s eligibility be reinstated. Reinstatement decisions are made by the NCAA national office staff and can include conditions such as withholding from competition and repayment of extra benefits. Newton was reinstated without any conditions.” I am curious as to what new information was released yesterday that led Auburn to declare $cam in-eligible that was not in the public view 3-4 weeks ago and I am definitely surprised on how quickly the NCAA was able to rule on this considering they took MONTHS in other cases this year and YEARS in the Bush case. By Auburn’s actions of declaring Newton in-eligible, they should be forced to vacate the victories over UGA and Alabama when the news broke which would still place a 2 loss Auburn in the SECCG (tie breakers with victories over LSU and Arkansas cannot punish Auburn for games before “they knew” $cam was the son-of-a-soliciting preacher man), with no hopes of competing for the NCG. So let me understand this properly; a jersey, worth $1000 is a 4 game suspension, an air flight to Miami and being treated to a weekend in the sun is a 2 game suspension and solicitation of 150-200K is 0 games and 1 day in-eligible? Contrary to Mr. Slive’s remark “The actions taken by Auburn University and Mississippi State University make it clear this behavior will not be tolerated in the SEC.”, I think it proves exactly the opposite, the more money the less time you will be penalized.
Confused
December 1st, 2010
3:02 pm
Let me see if I have this straight….A.J. Green is suspended for 4 games for selling his Jersey for $1,000 . Cam Newton is suspended 0 games for being part of a Pay for Play scandal, after being shopped by his own dad for around $200,000 ?
gss303
December 1st, 2010
3:03 pm
This is just the end or chapter 1, many more to go before this is all over.
Ncaa runs college athletics about the same way our legislators run our country.
Gary
December 1st, 2010
3:04 pm
If other players knew, Cam knew. This is just sad. Get used to it Auburn. No one except AUburn and the NCAA will give you credit for this season and everyone will be hoping and honorable team beats you. You will be the new SEC team everyone will love to hate. It is not good to have this big a bullseye.
Funny..
December 1st, 2010
3:04 pm
…how all of the AU fans rant. Truth is, Cam moves to the NFL with no consequences from his sCam days and Auburn is left in the dust trying to pick up the pieces witha program that, at minimum, will be on suspension. Allbarners are just not very smart.
gss303
December 1st, 2010
3:04 pm
The Godfather part IV may be about the auburn program.
Wash the hands
December 1st, 2010
3:05 pm
Reggie Bush…….slow investigation……..vacated wins………NCG…………..return of Heisman………..and the beat goes on. Yeah Cam played for free!! And Chizick is a brilliant strategist!! Gary……you nailed it!
gdawginkalamazoo
December 1st, 2010
3:05 pm
Don’t compare AJ Green’s case to this one. AJ clearly broke a rule, paid the price and served his punishment. Buying and selling a jersey is clearly a worse infraction than buying and selling a person.
gss303
December 1st, 2010
3:06 pm
The NCAA fair and balanced:)
cg
December 1st, 2010
3:07 pm
What a bunch of whiny losers you all are. Cam has been cleared. Deal with it. Auburn is a fantastic school, and the coach and players have been nothing but respectful during all of this. UGA and Bama fans are pathetic. Bama had a former Heisman trophy winner and a QB who had not lost since junior high, plus Julio Jones and still lost 3 games this year. The only thing UGA excels at is drinking and getting arrested. Keep whining when Cam wins the Heisman and Chizik wins coach of the year and AU wins the national championship. Go drown your sorrows in your beer and buy up those Alabama t-shirts at Walmart. Losers on and off the field.
GaBlue
December 1st, 2010
3:07 pm
Gary,
No, YOU are just sad if you were not able to enjoy watching this young man play football. Why do you even tune in? If you can’t appreciate the inherent beauty of talent and execution, delivered with enthusiasm and spirit, you might as well spend your Saturday’s playing golf.
AU Alum
December 1st, 2010
3:08 pm
Let’s try a theory since all of you obviously enjoy them.
Rogers approaches Cecil like he does with any and every athlete he comes across that has NFL talent. He says, I can’t guarantee it but I’d like to see if my buddies will help with money for your son. Cecil says, we’ll see where this goes. Rogers makes the calls, nothing comes of it and Cecil moves on. Rogers gets mad that Cam becomes a Tiger and makes it out that Cecil approached him about money when it was the other way around and Cecil never took him seriously.
CJ
December 1st, 2010
3:09 pm
you’re comical.
CG
December 1st, 2010
3:10 pm
you’re comical…and not very smart.
unclesam155
December 1st, 2010
3:12 pm
Just shows money and influences talks.
Just for the record
December 1st, 2010
3:12 pm
It don’t make a big rat’s ass to me one way or the other.
GODAWGS!!!!!
December 1st, 2010
3:16 pm
SCAMERON has already been kicked out of one D-1 football program….Why does the rest of the media not think he is not involved in this??????? Feel bad for the rest of the TEAM when Mr. ALLME Newton is found guilty and it will ruin the season. Although, knowing the NCAA and the SEC it probably won’t be confirmed until AFTER the season…..Such a shame.
Read the NCAA Statement
December 1st, 2010
3:17 pm
Correctoin MB, Auburn declared him ineligible and the NCAA reinstated him. That was in the official release from the NCAA…
Dr. J
December 1st, 2010
3:17 pm
Cam’s Dad was shopping Cam around. How could Cam know? All he was doing was riding in the car.