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.

450 comments Add your comment

Bodda Getta

December 2nd, 2010
2:31 pm

Dawg A,

It’s over. The networks and sports radio shows know it too.

They also know there are enough ignorant fans out there to fill their air time with conspiracy theories.

Give them a call.

Bobo

December 2nd, 2010
2:31 pm

Thanks Bodda Getta, I got your back!

Wife’s got another kid on the way, can’t remember calling that play.

Nick Saban caused this Awwbarn fiasco

December 2nd, 2010
2:32 pm

The barn knew they were dead meat the day he was hired. They had to go buy a QB to compete with them. Too bad it will all backfire in their faces. You think they would learn their lesson. Make fun of all other SEC schools barners… your the ones who are known world-wide as “cheaters” not us. And don’t respond with 20 examples of this and that, no gives a dam. Auburn is the team who will get the death penalty, not UGA, ALA, UF, USC etc etc.

BCS Man

December 2nd, 2010
2:32 pm

@Russ

Of course no one else agrees with it. Everyone was also rooting for USC to go down too. When you are at the top, everyone is rooting against you, by whatever means it happens. You basically don’t like Auburn anyway. You really don’t like them now because of the game 3 weeks ago and all of the controversey. And to top it off Auburn is sitting at #1 right now. My point? There is a lot of reasons to want Auburn to fall right now. Just because the rest of the CFB wants to see Auburn fall doesnt mean its the right thing. Thats the nature college football. Everyone wants everyone else to trip up however it may happen.

BCS Man

December 2nd, 2010
2:34 pm

@Nick Saban…

Link? Proof? If not, you are slandering. Look it up.

PHIL

December 2nd, 2010
2:36 pm

Mark have you and Shultz ever considered writing a real story instead of just an opinion piece? I’d like to see a story about football players being arrested and the punishments they received because of it. You know like when the UGA players get busted for not riding scooters with a license or riding them the wrong way or drinking a beer at 20 or even not paying a speeding ticket because a kid who doesn’t get paid to go to school didn’t have the money to do so. And then you can write about how these infractions cost them suspensions and how any type infraction that any sane person would consider serious results in getting kicked off the team. You could contrast that with how in most SEC towns, these things would never even be reported. You could also contrast that with the way that Florida handled the death threat case and how UT allows its players who are arrested for assault, one on a police officer, never even sits out a game. Or even how when the officer found out it was a football player who put him in the hospital, he didn’t even want to press charges. You could report all the facts and then let the readers decide which programs are really not being held to high standards by their coaches instead of just continually opining that Mark Richt has lost control of the football program at UGA. What do you think of that idea?

While you’re at it you could write an article on the history of one Trooper Taylor and how no matter the institution that he was employed by he has always had recruiting controversy surrounding him and his tactics. You could try to find a plausible explanation how that a coach who had a lifetime record of 12-23 is suddenly able to get the number one players out of the states of AL, MS, LA, and AR plus the number one JUCO recruit in the country. That’d be a great idea for a story. More fact reporting and less opinion would be great.

Bodda Getta

December 2nd, 2010
2:36 pm

Nick,

How may medical hardship scholarships are you going to give this year?

I would suggest you start with your defensive backs and your offensive line.

Looks like you should give one to McCarron too.

DAWG A

December 2nd, 2010
2:37 pm

It’s over! You must not be paying any attention! For example I just heard Mel Kiper on ESPN say that he understands and agrees with Pat Haden and the concern he has for there being double standards within the NCAA. But I guess you know more about college football than Mel Kiper. He surely doesn’t have the right to comment on college football… he has only been doing this, and doing it quite well, for over 20 years!
But yea … your smarter!!!

Bodda Getta

December 2nd, 2010
2:37 pm

Nick,

How many medical hardship scholarships are you going to give this year?

I would suggest you start with your defensive backs and your offensive line.

Looks like you should give one to McCarron too.

Jeff

December 2nd, 2010
2:38 pm

Jim…..Great…we can both be here when it is all said and done….you see I dont have a problem being here if it is proven that all not true (doubtful) but the fact remains, my problem is not with Cam…my problem is with your Coach and some of your players especially Fairley. Oh, by the way, hard to beleive but I am neither a Dawg nor Tide fan- actually UF here- so I really dont have a dog in the fight excuse the pun. I have seen your coach and players all year- UGA, LSU, Bama….they play to injure..plain and simple.

Arlo

December 2nd, 2010
2:40 pm

If Cam said “the money was too much”, then he knew he was being shopped & is therefore ineligible. The NCAA by-laws state that if someone (agent or otherwise) represents an athlete, he is automatically ineligible. Am I missing something?

PHIL

December 2nd, 2010
2:40 pm

typo 12-24. Lifetime winning percentage of .333. Give him the bowl game win and make it 13-24.

Bama Bill

December 2nd, 2010
2:41 pm

NCAA News Release – Bishop Reverend Newton is NOT the father of the footballer nor even met him and clearly did not reprsent nor offer for sale his services – Praise the Bishop ! That’s pretty well sums up the investgation and abilities to search for truth from SEC and NCAA.

SEC is Duck Fans

December 2nd, 2010
2:52 pm

If da barn and the SEC officials find a way to get to the NC……the ducks will have 11 SEC schools behind them……what would be sweet if for the ducks to blow out the birdies and embarrass Mikey and the boys in Birmingham……

Follow the Money

December 2nd, 2010
2:53 pm

Anyone think the SEC office is above helping Auburn, both before and during the game this week?

Worth millions to all SEC schools to get two BCS teams this year and better contracts with ESPN and CBS in future years.

Rots-O-Ruck South Sarolina

Nick Saban caused this Awwbarn fiasco

December 2nd, 2010
2:55 pm

Take my slander and stick it up your corn-hole loser, cheater barner.

The BAMMERS will always own the BARNERS.

The Barn is a disgrace....

December 2nd, 2010
2:59 pm

Just when we thought Floriduh…..the Barn makes everyone look like roses…..I will say this, Floriduh and their coach at least have morals…..something Auburn has never heard of. Cam and the preacher man…take a look at Camboys record at UF….raised right huh…by a preacher…..what a joke

Bodda Getta

December 2nd, 2010
3:00 pm

Nick,

I hope you enjoyed the 2-7 ownage as much as I have.

Bodda Getta

December 2nd, 2010
3:04 pm

Arlo,

Cecil Newton was found guilty of this charge, a penalty was assessed and served.

It’s over.

Enjoy the football game.

The Barn is a disgrace....

December 2nd, 2010
3:05 pm

Come to think about it- Cam really fits in at Aubarn….cheats, steals, no morals hmmmm just like people associated with Auburn…

Can You Say Duke Rape Case

December 2nd, 2010
3:13 pm

Lets all calm down here.Where there is smoke does not mean there is fire. I remember distinctly being on the bandwagon to lynch those privilegd Duke lacrosse players for alleged raping a stripper. Media reorts said they had evidence the district attorney quickly indicted all to find out the allegation was false. The reputations of those kids were forever damaged. You know when a person is accused in a high profile case every thing about that person is revealed to the public thus shining these kids in a negative. Based on prior bad behavior these kids had to have done this(Sound familiar Laptops, and cheating). Let the people who investigate do their jobs. Trust me if there is anything to this,Auburn will pay dearly.All we have is Bonds said, Rogers said right now.You do not want to damage the reputation of a kid without first having all the facts. Or is that actually what you want done?

Jim Pierce

December 2nd, 2010
3:14 pm

Jeff: Deal bro. :)

Jim Pierce

December 2nd, 2010
3:16 pm

Nick: Yeah you own us lol Let’s see… Auburn has beaten Alabama on their OWN field, what? 6/7 times? lol
Ownage….gotta love it.

Go Dawgs!

December 2nd, 2010
3:17 pm

AUgrad00

December 2nd, 2010
1:57 pm
“Cam Newton has been cleared to play Saturday, but he and his school are not yet in the clear.”

Hey Bradley I cant speak for Cam but the fact is they are not even investigating Auburn. Of course dont let the facts get in the way.

You are correct, but they ARE investigating SEVERAL big $$$ Auburn boosters.

Jeff

December 2nd, 2010
3:18 pm

:) Jim….good to hear! Interested in your thoughts on my comments about some of your players and their questionable play. I did see LSU/UGA and Bama game and even some AU fans here at work expressed some remorse about things that their players did in those games

Jim Pierce

December 2nd, 2010
3:20 pm

Well : In the heat of a battle, hard hits are inevitable… I DO agree that Fairley’s spear in the back (Ga game?) was uncalled for. Rest of the players?? I haven’t seen anything they’ve done that every team doesn’t do…. but I may have homer eyes…lol

DAWG A

December 2nd, 2010
3:20 pm

OTL… doing a special report and saying that there are things there and the truth takes time to come out!!! Saying the NCAA has a major credibilty issue!!! But I guess noone is talking about it!!! only to you “heads in the sand” Auburn fans… BTW go to yahoo sports and read Dan Wetzels article!!! Yea its over!!!
It seems to be Auburn and then EVERYBODY ELSE!!!

James

December 2nd, 2010
3:20 pm

I’m amazed at how all you bulldogs (MG being #1) so badly want Cam and Auburn to get in trouble. What happened to your SEC pride? Or is it just SEC sour grapes?

Hilarious

December 2nd, 2010
3:22 pm

It’s always funny to watch all you redneck southerners insult each other.

Like there’s one iota of difference between any of the SEC schools (exept vanderbilt)

Brad

December 2nd, 2010
3:28 pm

I like college football as much as the next guy, but I’m blown away by number of adults whose lives and self-esteem revolve around the exploits of kids. I graduated from Alabama quite a while ago, so I’ve seen more than my share of these folks in Tuscaloosa. For god’s sake people, get a hobby! Get a life!

And congrats to Auburn for the win over the Tide. It was a well-earned victory, and I wish you success against SC, and hopefully Oregon after that.

Jim Pierce

December 2nd, 2010
3:29 pm

Brad: Class post. Thanks. :)

Brad

December 2nd, 2010
3:30 pm

My pleasure, Jim.

Jeff

December 2nd, 2010
3:32 pm

The hit on Murray in the UGA game is probably the one i have the most problem with- i dont care what school you support- no one should condone a player trying to injure another one. The other was the LSU game. Understand the heat of the battle and rivalry’s but its up to the coaches to manage teenagers in that regard. It appeared that your coach didnt do that and by not reacting to it gave the appearance of condoning it all

Go Dawgs!

December 2nd, 2010
3:33 pm

All you Auburn homers can try and hide behind the “UGA/Bama fans are just sore losers” BS all you want, however the precedent set by this ruling so far opens a free for all pay for play system.

You have to be absolutely BLIND not to see it.

As long as the player has no knowledge and their is no paper trail then players are up for sale to the highest bidder.

Know why top recruiters are nicknamed bagmen? Some would say its because they’re very good at their job get their players “in the bag” but the term actually goes back to the guy who delivered the brown paper bag with the cash in it. The only reason the Reggie Bush’s of the world get caught is agents have gotten lazy and bold. It’s been going on for years, the NCAA just created a nice loophole for everyone involved. Now their “investments” have a nice insurance policy.

MD

December 2nd, 2010
3:34 pm

This is so old. There is no new news here except he’s been cleared by the NCAA. And yet, the hate gets thicker and thicker. To the D Bag-Kyle, comments like that are completely inappropriate. The issue here is whether or not money was exchanged and now you’re taking it to a whole new level saying you hope Fairley blows out his knee? Get over yourself. Fairley is a monster on the field. I’m sure if he were playing for your team you would have a different tune. At the end of the day, remember this is only a 21 year old kid playing football. Is it really necessary to hope he blows his knee out and ruin his potential pro career? Absolutely not. Try to gain some human decency Kyle. WAR EAGLE

Auburn | MrSEC.com

December 2nd, 2010
3:39 pm

[...] along a message from Cecil Newton.)10.  The NCAA’s ruling included the very important words: “at this time.”11.  This writer says the NCAA is 100% right and everyone else is completely off-base.  (Tiger [...]

What

December 2nd, 2010
3:40 pm

Doesn’t the NCAA’s umbrella cover all schools. Wouldn’t breaking rules at one school affect your eligibility at other schools.

Jim Pierce

December 2nd, 2010
3:43 pm

Jeff: Yeah that hit was uncalled for. As for Chisek getting on players , he has been quick to correct and quick to chastise. Controlling kids on the field isn’t easy…but I do know that “after the play” and after a game, Chisek has been TOUGH. I just can’t recall him not reacting…… tho that’s easy to miss I reckon.

Old AU Fan

December 2nd, 2010
3:44 pm

Brad – good comments. (btw – some of the best parties I’ve ever been to were hosted by UA fans after the Iron Bowl… no matter what side won, but I digress….)

As for everyone else ….this crowd is really sad.
Football is a game – Hello?
Why don’t you folks put down the crying towels, and enjoy the show.

Jim Pierce

December 2nd, 2010
3:44 pm

What: The NCAA rule and the SEC rule differ in that regard… NCAA says that ineligibility at one school doesn’t negate you playing for another in case of a rule violation.. SEC says it affects eligibility at all schools.

Jeff

December 2nd, 2010
3:46 pm

Jim- thanks for the insight. You watch your team and coach every week so I trust your call on that. I could probably clear up misconceptions on my team and coach also. Sometimes you have to defer to level headed fans that can speak open and honestly about their teams.:)

Bill

December 2nd, 2010
3:48 pm

Hilarious posted:
It’s always funny to watch all you redneck southerners insult each other.

Like there’s one iota of difference between any of the SEC schools (exept vanderbilt)

_________________________________________________________________

Hey Hilarious,

How many feet of snow have fallen in your Northeastern god-forsaken corner of the world?

BTW- It’s except, not exept, genius!

The SEC rules! (except Auburn…)

War Damn Cheaters!!!

December 2nd, 2010
3:48 pm

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PHIL

December 2nd, 2010
3:54 pm

I’m with Brad

Jim Pierce

December 2nd, 2010
3:55 pm

Hey Jeff: I do wonder why the NCAA rule and the SEC rule differs. Makes no sense lol

GETOVERITSORELOSERS

December 2nd, 2010
3:55 pm

lol.. haters cant get over the fact he did nothing wrong.. so they keep hating

Jeff

December 2nd, 2010
4:01 pm

Jim…I guess its to keep blogs like this alive and bustling. Are you a AU grad?

Double Zero Eight

December 2nd, 2010
4:05 pm

“Man Up: and let it go. It’s time to move on. I am still waiting for MLB to do something regarding the Barry Bonds steroid accusations. That evidence looked overwhelming to me and congress was involved in the investigation. If Bonds can get the HR record, Cameron can win the Heisman.

Jim Pierce

December 2nd, 2010
4:06 pm

GETOVERIT: I honestly don’t believe Cam knew anything. He did leave it up to his dad… but his dad told him he chose Auburn because of the spread offense, and the great offensive line. That was a quote in our local newspaper a while back. Cam also said the Sociology program played a part.

Watching Cam with his community service, and watching him love on the local kids (goes to a middle school every week to check on the kids progress)… tells me alot about his character.
As for “keeping quiet” during this investigation, Im SURE he was told to.
All of our questions will be answered… I just don’t like folks convicting someone before they have all the facts.. and we don’t have those yet.

Jim Pierce

December 2nd, 2010
4:07 pm

Jeff: Raised in Auburn from childhood. Served in the Navy and only completed two years of college. Marriage and babies killed the rest lol :(