For Cam and Auburn, what the NCAA didn’t say resonates
For SEC championship game purposes, the three biggest words in the NCAA’s statement on Cam Newton were these: “Is immediately eligible.” Over the longer term, three bigger words were tucked into this statement from the NCAA’s Kevin Lennon.
“Based on the information available to the reinstatement staff at this time, we do not have sufficient evidence that Cam Newton or anyone from Auburn was aware of this activity.”
The three massive words: “At this time.”
Just because Cam Newton has been cleared to play Saturday doesn’t mean he has been cleared forever. It doesn’t mean the NCAA can’t and won’t continue to investigate. (It can and surely will.) And if at any time it finds “sufficient evidence” that Newton himself or a representative of Auburn violated an NCAA regulation … well, we know what that means.
Forfeit city.
Folks on the outside have a tough time understanding how the NCAA works. (Folks on the inside do, too.) But the key revelation made Wednesday was that the NCAA had indeed found evidence a rule had been flouted — by Cecil Newton, Cam’s dad, and the scout Kenny Rogers in their solicitation of Mississippi State. This prompted Auburn to declare Newton ineligible and petition for reinstatement.
This is the procedure in every NCAA case. (Georgia’s A.J. Green had to be reinstated after the NCAA suspended him those four games.) That the NCAA acted so quickly, reinstating Newton a day after Auburn ruled him ineligible, was surely due to logistics: Auburn has a game Saturday.
Yes, it’s a big game. And yes, it was awfully convenient that Auburn rendered Newton ineligible on Tuesday, Nov. 30, as opposed, say, to Friday, Nov. 26. (Gee, that was the date of the Iron Bowl!) So far, you’d have to say Auburn has found its version of Ed Tolley, the Athens attorney who has steered Georgia through tempest after tempest the past quarter-century. But that’s OK: If you were a school under scrutiny and your football team was about to play for an SEC championship and then maybe the BCS title, you’d have to be awfully dumb not to hire a smart lawyer.
Newton being rendered ineligible for one day might seem silly, but it served an essential purpose: It forced the NCAA to say yea or nay as to his playing status. It forced the NCAA to tell us, “A violation was committed … but the violation wasn’t Auburn’s.” A lot of folks have hooted down this ruling, saying it opens the door for every prospect to find a relative willing to be his talent broker and take the rap if found out, but the NCAA hasn’t yet slammed this particular door.
I say again: Don’t mistake this reinstatement for absolution. The NCAA didn’t say, “Case closed.” Newton and Auburn could still be held accountable for any transgressions that come to light. (And we know already the NCAA has found one violation involving one Newton.) Cam Newton has been cleared to play Saturday, but he and his school are not yet in the clear. Wednesday’s ruling restored his eligibility at this time, which isn’t to say for all time.
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450 comments Add your comment
DC
December 2nd, 2010
8:32 am
Jonathon, that is the dumbest thing I think I’ve seen on this blog in a long time…trust me there has been a bunch of dumb things on this blog..
WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!
December 2nd, 2010
8:32 am
if you dawg fans think auburn’s brand is about cheating, surely you know yours is about whining and always thinking your are something you aren’t. face it, you are irrelevant, you didn’t win a single game this year against a team with a winning record. not a single game!!
settle down, or i’ll have to send my buddy fairley over there to bust some knee caps.
Aubie in the house
December 2nd, 2010
8:32 am
I stand by Cecil’s claims that his son knew nothing!!! My stupid neighbor across the street is a UGA grad and walks around with a red solo cup full of beer to hide it from her kids! And if she wants to drink straight from the bottle, she waits till the kids are in bed! Those boys are 11 and 13 years of age! Why? She doesn’t want her boys to know she drinks! So if a parent goes to extremes to hide their “drinking” from their kids, why wouldn’t they hide something as significant as this MSU garbage?!!! How many of you DO or DID hide drinking from your kids? But you’ll disclose the fact that you may be doing something questionable? Riiiiiiight.
John Galt
December 2nd, 2010
8:32 am
He who laughs last……
AU will rue the day they enrolled Cam Newton, mark my word.
Delbert D.
December 2nd, 2010
8:34 am
Forfeiting games is important only if the coach is chasing Joe Paterno’s record.
dawgster
December 2nd, 2010
8:34 am
Don’t know whether he is innocent or not, hard to believe that since he is close with his father and family that he wouldn’t know what was going on, but i would suspect if you were to investigate how the church was able to come up with the money to get the church in building code compliance, you might have your answer, although from what i have read to date the father will not say how they got the money or where it came from…I guess they do not have to disclose that info, and again don’t know all the facts, but i would think if everything is above board that could be substantiated fairly simple…so much of this has a rotten smell to it just looking from the outside….
Kyle
December 2nd, 2010
8:36 am
Bear…I know you will enjoy the SEC Championship game (at least we have one class Coach and team there)and more especially, here is hoping that you will also see Fairley blow his knee out on a play and end his playing time forever…..of couse, Cam can blow him a kiss too. hmmmm…bet the SC fans dont boo either. maybe some of the barn folk like you can take lessons from SC fans on what class fans look like…
Falcsfan10
December 2nd, 2010
8:37 am
It’s pretty simple. If you all of a sudden come into a lot of money but didn’t win the lottery then either selling drugs or a payoff was involved. If the NCAA does its job it will uncover the truth and the great Cam will be the great Scam.
Falcsfan10
December 2nd, 2010
8:38 am
Go South Carolina !!! Beat Auburn !!!
RAPbama
December 2nd, 2010
8:38 am
If Lattimore can get some decent yardage, then SC wins. If not, AU is a cinch, it is that simple, to me anyway. AU is robust against the run.
ATL XMAN
December 2nd, 2010
8:41 am
like a son has no idea what his dads doing when it comes to playing football. cam knew and after the NC game it will be proven that aub paid for him to play there. no doubt what so ever. once they start looking into what helped with the preachers church not being shut down they will find the money trail. i just hope they wait until after aub puts a beat down on ORE.
John
December 2nd, 2010
8:41 am
AU in Atl….you tell me about crappy seasons dude….seems to me if you look over the past 10 years- the barn is an expert on them with the exception of maybe a couple of years. I guess it hurts being second fiddle in the state to the real program….i know…blah blah blah about being 6-2 or something like that at Tuscaloosa…but that really doesnt matter….Class of bama is clearly to the west in your state
GTfan09
December 2nd, 2010
8:41 am
Seriously…this has slimy Mark Slive’s fingerprints ALL OVER IT. Come on, he founded the first sports law practice to represent universities in NCAA related matters! Hmm, I wonder who is behind this quick reinstatement to help his precious conference not lose any $$?
georgiadawg70
December 2nd, 2010
8:43 am
The NCAA invistigation is only the tip of the iceberg. The FBI is investigating bank fruad, embezzelment,money laundering, just to name a few. This started with wire taps concering the failure of a banking empire and led to the Newtons..
ATL XMAN
December 2nd, 2010
8:45 am
this aint no kid aubie. cam knew what his father was doing and in due time you will finally know too and the facts you are waiting on will be all out one of these days.
georgiadawg70
December 2nd, 2010
8:45 am
Auburn banned Pat Dye yesterday from makeing any public statements or appearing on any media shows. He is still an Auburn employee. I am supprised the AJC hasn’t picke up on this.
Richie
December 2nd, 2010
8:46 am
This is the biggest joke in a long time….Pls…..
Too Easy
December 2nd, 2010
8:46 am
Did Newton practice with the team on the day he was ineligible?
Aubie in the house
December 2nd, 2010
8:47 am
Jonathon
December 2nd, 2010
8:30 am
Auburn fans. No one I have noticed seems to like you or respect you!
——————————
So stay in your double wide trailer park along with the rest of the ones you’ve noticed in Tuscalooser!!!
Dr. Phil
December 2nd, 2010
8:48 am
Of course the NCAA ruling would include “at this time.” Cam has been involved in some shady activity including the computer incident and alleged cheating. Georgia players have been involved in stolen property, i.e. the motorcycle helmet, hit and run (Ealey), stalking and assault (Montez and Mettenburger), cheating (Ealey), and assorted drunkenness and traffic violations. It is sad for college football that this kind of behavior is so common. Bad behavior at Georgia, Florida, Tennessee or anywhere else is no justification for bad behavior at your particular school. If anyone at Auburn paid Cecil Newton, they should be punished. If Auburn coaches knew of such payment, they should be fired and suspended from coaching. Georgia fans are certainly in no position to pass judgement on Auburn and Newton and Fairley, for that matter. Ellerbee and Asher Allen had far more personal fouls than Fairley ever had, and Ellerbee has continued his dirty play under the guidance of Super Thug at Baltimore. Georgia fans should focus on the upcoming Liberty Bowl or whatever bowl they are lucky enough to land and save the whining about Newton until some hard evidence emerges.
SWGADAWG
December 2nd, 2010
8:48 am
I have lost all respecy for the NCAA. Time to take the whole organization down. I’ve always supported the idea of the NCAA and the BCS. No more. It doesn’t matter one bit to the big picture, but I refuse to watch any game that includes a Scammer. The only thing the NCAA sees is $$$$$s. Only way to get their attention is lost $$$$s. Would love to see some national celebrity float the idea of a BCS Championship viewer boycott if Auburn’s in it. Only that might get their attention.
Tail-Gator
December 2nd, 2010
8:51 am
Bama and Dawg fans are sounding like desperate losers. Face it boys. You got beat by a superior team so it’s time to pay your respect. You only embarrass your school and the SEC when you continue to make up theories and connect non-existent dots.
Here’s to the Tigers winning this Saturday and taking on Oregon for the BCS!!
Trooper Pooper Scooper Taylor
December 2nd, 2010
8:52 am
CHOO CHOO! The karma train will hit Auburn sooner or later. I hope they lose Saturday, lose to Oregon and get HAMMERED by the NCAA. You barners are fools if you think this is over.
Kid is dirtier than a newborns diapers.
Knox Tiger
December 2nd, 2010
8:53 am
SWGADAWG – waaaaahhhh…I’m not going out to play anymore! Auburn beat me!!!! waaaaahh!! I’m boycotting! waaaaaaahhhh!!!!
Leg humpers waaaaahhhhh! 49-31!!!
Newton ruling demonstrates loophole in NCAA legislation – al.com | SportsZrr
December 2nd, 2010
8:54 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
AU Grad'95
December 2nd, 2010
8:54 am
Kyle – You need some help. To pray harm to another and use such strong language toward a football team is ridiculous. This is a game. To sit there and be pompous about Ugag not going wrong is ridiculous. I did not see anyone from Ugag apologizing or calling for harm to your defensive player who ripped the helmet off of Anthony Allen in the first series of the GT-Ugag game. That should have been a penalty and ejection, but no one saw that, except the several replays. Do you think that little move, after Allen was down and at the bottom of the pile might hurt him for life? Get a life already.
About Cam, if the NCAA can’t find anything why can’t people let it go. They have done enough investigations to know how to find stuff. As to opening Pandora’s Box to pimping players out, don’t you think the opposite will happen. Now everyone is going to be highly wary of something like this. Lastly, some are calling this timely, but lets not forget this has been going on for over 10 months. BTW, would this even be a story if he wasn’t the leading Heisman canidate or AU wasn’t 12-0, or he was at a divisions 1AA or 2 school, probably not.
GT
December 2nd, 2010
8:54 am
If Newton has done something ,like any other player in the NCAA, he desires to be punished. You write this like it was OJ Simpson getting away with murder. When the NCAA suspended Green he had dirty money in his pocket, they found it, he admitted it and quiet frankly I don’t think the questions there were totally finished either. One thousand dollars for a football jersey, bought by a gangster sports agent’s representative who was a drug dealer. “AJ is a good person, who was straight up about what he did” was the spin there. NO they found this only while they were investigating Green for another violation, not him telling them, them finding it without his help. I think athletes get a pass from the press like John Kennedy and politicians got in their day. There is a turn of the head by local press on the scene of the local schools. Then a story like this that has legs, but unlike Green, no dead body, no local spin doctor putting the brakes on the story, it is open hunting season. If Newton continues to be found innocent of any wrong doing he should be nominated for sainthood, unlike Bush at Southern Cal whose parents were living large right there in the university’s community. Whose coach at the time had a melt down because his quarterback, Mark Sanchez, had not stayed one more year, being offered a multimillion dollar contract, and then escapes himself leaving all this for someone else to clean up. And USC hires Lane Kiffin as his replacement. What in the hell did SMU do to get the death penalty in this world of “hole in the wall” characters. Cam Newton may be the cleanest, not only Heisman candidate, but every day player we have seen in a long while. I’m not even sure players at Georgia Tech could come out this clean with the all out witch hunt we are watching now. One thing about being mediocre the players are not in any cross hairs and can spend their money in peace, if not a guilty conscience for not earning it. All this because Newton is that much better than anyone else and all this money didn’t make that happen, which is a point lost in all this. One player upsets the apple cart because he is that good, and watching him is where the value is. That is the real story.
John
December 2nd, 2010
8:56 am
What is in question here will affect all of college sports. It is really nothing new. Everybody is trying to get the most out of talent and ability to further their program. Everybody has weighed the pros and cons. The best talents could possibly come with risks. Not all great players come with baggage. On the other hand, Reggie Bush and Cam Newton (well, not at this time anyway) are just a couple of guys who could pose a risk to a given college’s standing in the world of football. This thing with Cam will not go away after this season. If after sifting through everything and it is determined Cam is unblemished then great. More power to him and God bless us, everyone. Otherwise, he will be in the NFL earning a ridiculous salary while the succeeding players and the university will be the ones absorbing the punishment. Reggie Bush takes back his Heisman while laughing on his way to the bank. In the meantime, current players at USC are getting punished for his transgression. This sucks. It could happen to any school that has a chance to field a winner. I don’t particularly care for USC but punishing current players for the transgressions for someone who has been a, uh, Saint since 2006 is just wrong. Legislating and regulating character and morality is impossible but somehow that is what the NCAA believes it is doing. It is ironically coming at the expense of any shred of decency for anyone involved in this debacle.
Knox Tiger
December 2nd, 2010
8:58 am
***************smirk******************
At all the dumb Bama and Puppy remarks. Do you HONESTLY think we care what you say or that it bothers us? **********smirk***********Actually the opposite is true. I for one am quite amused at how angry and pissed off you losers are. I sleep well all night knowing that you CAN’T!! You’re entire existence is circled around Auburn and Cam Newton. 24/7, pacing, glued to the internet, the TV, gathered at the water cooler! You’ve resorted to beating your wife and kids! You’re contemplating suicide! Say what you want about the NCAA – they have ruled and it’s in our favor. Live with it or don’t watch the game. It’s actually quite that simple!!
WAR EAGLE!!!!
Auburn is a DISGRACE to the SEC
December 2nd, 2010
9:02 am
I’d rather see any team other than the barn represent the SEC. I don’t care about the National Championship streak anymore. LSU, Florida and Alabama followed the rules and Auburn did not.
Tiger in your tank
December 2nd, 2010
9:04 am
Enter your comments here
Tiger in your tank
December 2nd, 2010
9:04 am
Do you Bammers and Dawggies think we are bothered by your crybaby and excuse making comments. Actually, the opposite is true. We take pleasure in knowing we can sleep at night while you CANNOT. You’re pacing the floor 24/7, wringing your hands, glued to the internet, the TV, gathered at the water cooler, you’ve resorted to beating your wives and kids.
The NCAA has ruled. If you don’t like it, don’t watch the game. It really IS quite that simple!!
WAR DAMN EAGLE!!
Steiner
December 2nd, 2010
9:05 am
AU in ATL:
GOT THAT OCEANFRONT PROPERTY IN ARIZONA, FROM MY FRONT PORCH YOU CAN SEE THE SEA…….IF SCHULTZIE DON’T WANT TO BUY IT, I WILL OFFER IT TO YOU…….IF YOU REALLY BELIEVE AUBURN IS ON THE UP AND UP ON THIS…..
Remember..
December 2nd, 2010
9:07 am
…this is an ATL blog. Read the nationals. No one is supporting Auburn with the exception of the “slow” crowd from the Plains. AU football will be over by the end of the year.
Dumbo
December 2nd, 2010
9:14 am
Scam Newton sounds about right
Skitty Fritty
December 2nd, 2010
9:14 am
To the Auburn Fans:
Can anyone tell me or show me something in the public domain and not your opinion on why Cecil Newton picked Auburn for Cam over MSU and OU? Why didn’t he pick AU over Florida the first time?
The answer to this question could possibly change a lot of people from thinking right now that Cecil cheated more than once. Trying to give the Newton family a fair shake in this entire situation.
Columbus Dawg
December 2nd, 2010
9:19 am
Georgiadog70, Man can you blame Aubie for not wanting that drunk idiot Dye on the radio talking about Auburn’s ploys? There are not very many people who follow college ball, who are at least 40 years old or so that don’t know that Dye got Auburn on major probation for proven major violations. No self respecting university would still have this pos on their payroll. Only Auburn man.
80 Dawg
December 2nd, 2010
9:22 am
Pat Dye ==Shorter == horses == money== AUB. players== end of Aub. football
UGA whiner
December 2nd, 2010
9:26 am
1 – It is all Nick Fairley’s fault
2- The SEC officals are still mad at us for jumping up in down in the Florida game
3- It is all Nick Fairley’s fault
4- We would have won the National Championship if AJ Green had not been suspended (and if we had beaten Colorado, Florida and Auburn when AJ played)
5- It is all Nick Fairley’s fault
6- Mark Richt will turn this program around
emptyskull
December 2nd, 2010
9:27 am
My question is at the very least why isn’t he ineligible from the day the P2P scheme came to light? The week before the UGA game. That is when it was reported that Cecil admitted through sources that he schemed for payment.
At the very least he should have been deemed ineligible from then and then vetted for eligibilty. Why did AU get a pass at this. Any other school benches their players until the investigation is complete.
Seems unfair to say the least.
Bdawg
December 2nd, 2010
9:28 am
As a Dawg fan, the difference between AJ and the others suspended this year for contact with agents and Cam’s situation is money was found to have been paid. With that being said, if this had been discovered pre-season, I believe he would have had to sit a game or two. The fact AU is in the position they are in had to play a part in this desiscion to rule him ineligible and reinstate in 24hrs. What I am struggling with as a football fan is Cecil N. admitted this, according to WSB, the day before the UGA game. The NCAA waited, essentially, for AU regular season to end before ruling. This investigation, as far as MSU’s involvement, is probably over. AU’s investigation will continue. And by the way for AU fans talking about other coaches from Oklahoma and UT saying their recriutment of Cam never involved money means nothing. Coaches would not dare say anything to bring attention to their recruiting practices.
It seems Kenny Rogers and Cecil had a agreement if he got any money for Cam, he would handle it. Then Cecil found AU and left ole Kenny out. Thats why MSU and the SEC drug their feet on this but Kenny went public and the SEC lost control of the situation.
The last hurdle for AU to clear is the FBI. From knowing banks that have failed in GA, and took TARP money, they are being investigated. I expect so is Colonial Bank. Are there tapes where this pay for play was overheard unexpectedly? You can bet they will not turn over any evidence until they have a trial or close the investigation the bank. The feds will not risk any case over whether or not AU paid a player. Same applies for Milt and his racino. In other words, this is a long way from over unless something concrete is discovered. It took 5 yrs for USC to get closier on the Reggie Bush case.
BTW, Jay Walker, who was helping Milt raise funds/lobbying, is the brother of Clay Walker, strength and condition coach at UGA. Thought that was intresting nothing more.
ARMY TRAINING!!!!!!!
December 2nd, 2010
9:29 am
Dawg Fans, give it a break already. Bottom line you got your butt whipped by 18 points. You guys have turned into the biggest whiners in the world. You beat AU 4 yrs in a row and we have a friendly rivalry, but then you get beat and the other team is dirty/classless. Take a look in the mirror….11 arrests, a player suspended for 4 games, your team leaving the bench to encite a riot after you got your butt kicked all over the field. As they say on ESPN, C’mon MAN!
GT-'97
December 2nd, 2010
9:31 am
It goes far beyond Cam.
The NCAA and FBI are going to DROP THE HAMMER ON AUBURN!
Enjoy this season.
Because football in Opelika will soon look like a middle-tier Division II program!
WhataboutMSU
December 2nd, 2010
9:32 am
Haven’t read every post, but the gist is Auburn did nothing wrong. Has anybody considered that MSU was essentially deprived of a fair opportunity to recruit an obviously very talented player by a) the kids father soliciting big money and b) doing nothing more than following the rules by reporting it? Isn’t creating and advantage the same as creating a disadvantage at another school? MSU did nothing wrong. Why should the kid be allowed to play and benefit another school after these actions. To me they have the real beef. The fact that after soliciting $$$ and perhaps catching wind that the cat was out of the bag, the Newtons stopped demanding cash doesn’t absolve them.
bjohndawg
December 2nd, 2010
9:37 am
I dont know how else to say this:
College Football Ethics are at an all time low.
Ministers selling their kids ability to the highest bidder.
Now every Tom, Dick,and Harry have the strategic plan of how to do the same. Just dont tell your kid.
And I will say again Mark, like I said weeks ago when it first came out and people sald ” This is all fiction and Cam father and Cam and the MSU alum did not do this”………
THIS THING STINKS TO HIGH HEAVEN………AND IT IS NOT CLOSE TO OVER.
THERE IS MORE TO COME.
80 Dawg
December 2nd, 2010
9:38 am
@Army Training, I gather you are in the army , if you are ,THANK YOU! Cam is a very good football player ,and we did get our butts handed to us in the sec. half. This has to do with playing on an equal field. If this continues , as long as a player says he doesnt know about it and RUMORS are out there that money was given to churchs or any other building one may desire, havent we just changed college football into a semi pro league.
Eddie Merckx
December 2nd, 2010
9:39 am
MARK!
Have you seen this? Your thoughts? This is an amazing read that I saw referenced in the comments section yesterday. It gives lots of background and history into Auburn.
http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/messagetopic.asp?p=22778676
QUACK QUACK
December 2nd, 2010
9:40 am
All us Ducks out here in Oregon are pulling
for Auburn. Means we will be National Champs
eventually.
4 the record...uga grad
December 2nd, 2010
9:47 am
One of the many things that really disturbes me about this whole situation is how absolutely in the tank so many Auburn supporters are for Newton and this program. Reading postings on various boards (the stuff on aufamily.com makes me want to vomit) I am dumbfounded at how blindly Aubs come to this guy’s defense. This clown and his family could destroy the Auburn football program for many years to come and all I hear is how great of a kid he is. His record aside (cheating, theft, etc.), this guy’s antics on and off the field this year are ridiculous and he should go ahead and get it out of the way and change his name to Ham Newton.
DC
December 2nd, 2010
9:49 am
Quack Quack, you are incorrect…if AU wins and then has to forfeit the wins…it doesn’t just go down to the next person in line…
Sorry bud.