As Auburn ponders whether to play Cam Newton Saturday against Georgia, the NCAA and SEC Commissioner Mike Slive unfurled two not-so-subtle caution flags on Friday.
(SEC Commissioner Mike Slive)
Most notably, Brandon Marcello of the JACKSON (MS) CLARION-LEDGER had this as part of an interview with the SEC Commissioner:
Slive said the SEC made Auburn aware of information it had collected from MSU in July, and gave Auburn five weeks to decide how to proceed. Cam Newton has since led Auburn to a 10-0 record and No. 2 national ranking
The information Auburn received from the SEC in July may not have changed the past four months, but the school can add a statement made this week by Kenny Rogers that accused Cecil Newton of seeking money for son Cam’s services to its possible evidence of impropriety.
The Rogers statement was subsequently corroborated by Mississippi State booster Bill Bell, who this week also turned over a voicemail from Rogers to the NCAA as it pertained to the Newton case.
In an additional statement to Jon Solomon of the BIRMINGHAM NEWS Friday, Slive was also careful to clarify that if Auburn plays Newton, it will be the school’s decision alone.
“The only thing we made clear is a decision about his eligibility is a decision that has to be made by the institution.”
Then there’s this ominous Tweet released by Charles Robinson on Twitter regarding the NCAA’s posture on Auburn’s dilemma.
Latest w/ Cam Newton: NCAA has made Auburn aware of potential eligibility issue. Now Auburn decides whether to risk playing him. Their risk.
Who is Charles Robinson? He’s the reporter for Yahoo who brought down the USC football program by first breaking the news about the impropriety involving Reggie Bush and his family.
I recognize that, at the very least with his statement to the Birmingham News, Slive is clarifying conference protocol as it pertains to Newton’s eligibility status.
But if Auburn was in the clear, and the allegations against Newton were, as Tigers Coach Gene Chizik called them this week, “garbage“, I don’t think we’d be seeing this level of rhetoric from the two governing bodies.
As I’ve often stated, the NCAA is not a court of law. The burden of proof in order to determine a student-athlete ineligible is often extremely fuzzy and considerably lower than a legal proceeding. Witness SEC Commissioner Slive’s confusing comments about just that on Friday to the Birmingham News:
Asked what risks Auburn has faced by playing Newton so far or playing him again tomorrow, Slive responded: “First of all, we don’t have an established set of facts. The only people who can answer that is the NCAA. They have rules and then they have interpretations. Personally, I don’t know how the rule applies and what the interpretations might be.”
Slive said until there are established facts “you could have four or five hypotheses. We’re not in that role. I think our role is to wait out the investigation.”
Slive declined to comment on the specifics of the allegations being made.
“There’s been a lot of things said,” he said. “There’s been some inconsistencies. There’s been some credibility issues. But we’re not in the place where we judge those.”
Nor is Auburn. But if history is our guide, with the recent USC and Alabama NCAA sanctions, it’s fairly obvious at this point that smoking gun proof against Cam Newton or father Cecil is not needed for a major NCAA violation to have occurred.
With that in the mind, and the fact that Auburn could face even harsher penalties if it knowingly plays Newton while ineligible, let’s hope school leadership has a clear head when examining the evidence, circumstantial and otherwise, in this case.
Follow Brooks on Twitter for real-time updates.
12:43 am on November 13th, 2010
We are “all in” An Alabama REC ploy won’t stop us now. They can’t stand not being the best team in the state and have taken their best shot. I backfired. The truth will come out soon, and let’s just say the Bulldogs won’t be happy and Cam and AU will be holding up the crystal. I’m even hearing that Cecil was working for the FBI and was wired when Miss St offered them money. We love you cam. ALL IN
1:19 am on November 13th, 2010
You are kidding yourself if you think Cecil is working for the FBI. He only started talking because he knows there is incriminating evidence leading right back to him. The man an his son are liars. Cam is a thief and a cheat. If you truly love Auburn you want him “all out”. Auburn will be left in shambles as Cam laughs all the way to the bank. And guess what? MSU did not offer the money, it was “solicited” do you know what that means? Keep wearing those blinders buddy.
1:32 am on November 13th, 2010
WDE, I literally shit myself laughing when I read that. Thank you so much.
1:39 am on November 13th, 2010
So WDE, when tomorrow passes and you’ve been proven to be full of shite, will you come back here and admit you don’t know squat? I’ll be here calling your ignorant behind out, either way.
1:42 am on November 13th, 2010
Possibility that Auburn knows all of this information and has determined that they and Cam have done nothing wrong?
Therefore, they feel confident in playing Newton as they have known all this information–even the latest and most damning report about Cecil–since the summer.
1:44 am on November 13th, 2010
I trust my sources(big wigs in the AU Ad department) Tomorrow this will all be over, Cam and AU will be exonerated by the NCAA. Cam had zero knowledge of any of this. No one was working “on behalf” of him therefore he’s clear to go. game, set, match. The 180,00 that Miss St. offered was recorded. Cecil was wired when he was talking. St. did the Soliciting. Cecil said he didn’t want his son to be a rented mule. that is why he went to AU. A christlike football environment that is a family. Not a business like the cheating tide. A real family. That is what make AU different, you can’t put a pricetag on that. Cam’s dad wanted cam to be in a place where he wouldn’t be under this illegal money. that is why he has been so open to the NCAA. You all will see. Tomorrow.
1:51 am on November 13th, 2010
WDE, that was literally the dumbest thing I have ever read.
1:51 am on November 13th, 2010
WDE is spot on. The leghumpers will rue the day they decided to mess with the family. And I mean RUE IT HARD. I AM ALL UP IN.
1:59 am on November 13th, 2010
WDE, your last post is an almost textbook example of the type of delusions suffered by paranoid schizophrenics–they have a complete break with reality.
2:06 am on November 13th, 2010
WDE, you should make a comedy album if you can continue to produce this grade of material.
2:10 am on November 13th, 2010
WDE, AMEN! I’m not sure why people have such a problem with Christians like the Auburn family. It’s like they hate us and choose to make up lies against just because of our belief in Jesus. Well that shit won’t fly. I follow the good book and two simple rules: WWJD and WWCD. I ask myself that every day. It’s simple people. God wants Auburn to win and it’s been proven every single week so far this season and it will be proven again this Saturday when we whip out our Christian values and beat UGA’s ass.
GOD BLESS AUBURN! GOD BLESS CAM! AND GOD BLESS EVERY US EVERY EFFING ONE. WFE!! .
2:13 am on November 13th, 2010
The reality is that, there will be weeping and gnashing of tooth in west Vance tomorrow by both bammers and bulldogs. At least they will have each other to cry on. I have met Gene Chizk during fan day last year, he wouldn’t let this go on. You watch Cam will play tomorrow. Bottom line is Cam/Cecil(a pastor)/Chizk are Christians and in today’s world Christians get attacked. Like Cam said when the Lord is blessing the Devil be messing. I’m not the one in denial. What kind of mental illness do you guys have?? You enjoy watching other in misery?? Do you enjoy the best talent in the history of College football get ruined by a few butthurt thugs?? I’m not the one with the problem.
2:32 am on November 13th, 2010
“WDE, that was literally the dumbest thing I have ever read.”
I’ll have the last laugh. Cam is INOCENT. AU has known about this for a while now and he still plays. Do you think Chizk is that stupid to play a player that isn’t cleared.? Do you think Au would really pay 200,000 dollars to cam. He don’t need to do that. You tell me would you rather go to MSU and be last in the west or go to AU and win Championships?? Looks like you are the dumb one.
2:58 am on November 13th, 2010
Just when I thought you AUtards couldn’t be anymore delusional…
You do realize Aubarn (AL) is the second-most penalized college football team in the nation, correct (and of course, that’s excluding the fact that AUbarn escaped penalties from the Sociology scandals)? The age old saying goes, “Once a cheater, always a cheater”. Could you also elaborate on who bought Corey Lemonier a brand new Corvette, or who supplied thousands of dollars worth of cash to Dakota Mosley… which both popped up on their Facebook’s immediately after signing day? I do understand you guys are in a sad state of denial over the fact that your corrupt program is only continuing its legacy of funneling money through dirty boosters and such, but Cecil’s already admitted to talking money WITH MSU, however, I’m certain it wasn’t MSU who made an “anonymous donation” of $200,000 in order to save his church… and I hope you haven’t forgotten how Cam’s track record (and traffic/criminal record) only goes to show he’s not the angel you guys are depicting him out to be.
Riddle me this: How does a three year head coach, with an OVERALL LOSING RECORD, out-recruit ALL of the SEC coaching veterans during his first full recruiting tenure at a second-rate, backwoods college, with no other team goals set, other than winning the last game of the regular season AND whose program has just as much hardware in the trophy room as Georgia Tech? And Aubarn, AL isn’t exactly Las Vegas either. Unless you’re fond of rodeos, trailer parks, cow pastures, no life outside of school, and KKK Fraternity parties, then it’s not like people are going to line up to attend a college located in a town that’s on par with Mayberry… all I can say is it would definitely take more than $200,000 for me to endure four years of hell and torment in the cesspool known as Lee County, that’s for certain.
And are you factoring a booster club into the equation? The REC? A club that - at times - has trouble with its members paying the monthly dues? Seriously, barnzoe, go conjure more theories of how the REC controls the judicial system, slept with your wife, or is plotting an attack on China, because you AUtards are sinking to all new lows with this one.
If I were you guys, I wouldn’t be trying to sugarcoat the fact that Cam’s dad is a “christian”, instead, I’d be praying to God that the penalties your corrupt, second rate program is about to receive isn’t as harsh as most are anticipating.
3:01 am on November 13th, 2010
You guys do realize that WDE is not serious? He’s being facetious….and HILARIOUS! He has to be. He claims I, the mighty REC, am involved. But I can’t even get some of my older members to pay their dues, let alone organize the crap for which the Barners blame me. He knows I cannot pull off such things. He’s just being funny. And for that, I thank you, WDE.
RTR!
9:42 am on November 13th, 2010
Wow what insane fanboys Dyer is being investigate as well his money flashing homeboy Mosley and teammate. Barn is getting torched. Fact is Newton knew he was present and said his father was deciding and the 200,000 dollars was too much thats a fact tapes phone calls texts and a few witnesses also formerBarn recruiting coordinator and asst coach Greg Knox is talking and its the truth it ain’t pretty.
10:13 am on November 13th, 2010
Told you he was going to play. Au=innocent. Sorry haters. The latest news is that this is an attempt by Nick saban to ruin au. Stumpy cannot beat us on the feild. We basicly beat them last year. The year before was arranged by Jimmy Sexton to get tubby fired so he could get the Texas tech job. So basically Nicky is 0-4 against us. We all know the rwho the real football power is in the state. It’s not 1970. You know that we are the big brother. Lol
10:24 am on November 13th, 2010
fairly as well
10:32 am on November 13th, 2010
lmfao, so your super school had the best head coach in your history begging for another job but it wasnt sabans fault. btw, tt had no idea of tech when he was leaving aub. your so delusional. the aubs wouldnt let us get away with that when in 04 or 05 we were beating them all the way thru and they had a last minute win. and yes, we know who the real power is idiot. the one with 13 champ. and 22 sec’s not 1/2 champ. and what 7-8. oh yeah…..we are DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
10:48 am on November 13th, 2010
No you national championship is worthless. We all know you won because of colt getting hurt.you bammers love living in the past. We are the future. War can eagle. BTU I just read on itat that sanctions are coming bama chargers aren’t free. We all the type of player you guys recruits could never afford nice things. Enjoy it. I am I love watching you bammers squirm. 2010 the year of destcamy
.
10:50 am on November 13th, 2010
Sorry I’m on my phone. When you go to au you make enough money to actually own a smart phone.
11:43 am on November 13th, 2010
Poor Barners. The only reason Fig Newton went to Cow College is because he was paid to. I don’t think the fellatio from the fille de joie co-eds played a part in the decision, however.
1:07 pm on November 13th, 2010
WDE, I appreciate your fanaticism for your team but at a certain point, you have to take off the blinders and face the facts. You claim Saban is 0-4 against Auburn yet Alabama beat Auburn the last 2 years and the 2008 game was a shutout. You cannot claim Cam Newton is some innocent man unfairly being persecuted, you cannot deny his past crimes which led to his suspension from the Gators in 2008.
2:19 pm on November 13th, 2010
TOLD YOU HE WAS PLAYING. THIS IS OVER> AU CLEARED THE NCAA MET WITH CAM ON THURSDAY. NOW WAY AU WOULD PLAY HIM IF THEY WEREN”T GIVEN THE OK.
3:14 pm on November 13th, 2010
Of course they’re gonna play him. It sells tickets, what do they care. If they have to void out the season, no one will remember, they’ll still get all the attention and cash, he’ll turn pro and never suffer a bit. It’s only his team mates that’ll suffer, but he’s the type that will happily throw them under the bus.
4:39 pm on November 13th, 2010
The NCAA DOES NOT clear players during an ongoing investigation, which this is. The choice to play Cam is entirely Auburn’s to make. The NCAA also does not suspend/sit players. They rule them to be eligible or ineligible at the end of the investigation. The institution must decide, before/during an investigation, whether or not to play the players, at the ultimate risk of having wins vacated.
For example, not a single player that has been held out of UNC games was held out by the NCAA. They were all held out by UNC administration because they knew/suspected they were guilty..and out of respect for the players that did nothing wrong.
7:22 pm on November 13th, 2010
I love reading these idiotic comments from some of these Auburn fans! Like WDE and CammyCam. Wow. Bringing up Christianity in a cheater investigation and insinuating the “haters” are non-Christian. Do you potato heads really think God gives a s**t about who wins a football game? And as for Auburn being ranked #2, that’s a joke as well. Taken to OT by Clemson and survived them missing a chip shot field goal. Same thing for LSU. Playing UNC’s 2nd & 3rd string only to get lucky at the end that 2 straight passes into the end zone were dropped. NCAA’s comparison to UNC’s situation is adept. The difference is that UNC had the ethics to hold them out, Auburn apparently doesn’t.
10:04 pm on November 13th, 2010
WDE, you probably weren’t aware since you have your head shoved up Auburn’s butt all the time, but Colt McCoy was not the only QB with injuries that game. McElroy cracked two ribs in the third quarter, he pushed through it. Alabama won. Get over it.
And speaking of Nation Championships being worthless, I would probably keep my mouth shut about that considering if Auburn actually wins the championship, they may be stripped of the title after the investigation is over.
2:16 am on November 14th, 2010
*National. excuse me. I was on MY smart phone. I go to Alabama and OH! Lookie there! I can afford one, too.
7:53 am on November 15th, 2010
There are two factions here, one is being led by Alabama and is designed to keep this fiasco in the press, damaging Auburn in any way they can which is just SOP for Bama. The other faction is folks that are familiar with the history as it has unfolded and know that Auburn is clean and so is Cam Newton and his father. This is just the regular BS that the mullets generate in their quest to injure Auburn. We will take care of this on the field at the Iron Bowl. We are coming for you Bammer! War Damn Eagle!
12:22 pm on November 15th, 2010
what exactly does Bama have to do with it? I mean, I know the fans get out of control over the whole “Scam Newton” thing, but other than that, you really aren’t making any sense here. The whole “Saban’s out to get us” thing is really tiring. Nowhere in any reports over the Newton scandal have I even SEEN Alabama’s name listed. All of the allegations against Newton (excluding the cheating allegations) have been from MSU’s sources, to my knowledge. But then again, I may be wrong.
But take it from an Alabama student, and fan: We don’t want Newton out of the game. I don’t know many Tide fans that do. We want the opportunity to beat Auburn at their best. I’m not saying we will win, but IF we do, I don’t want to hear any wining about us beating them because Cam is not there.
12:55 pm on November 15th, 2010
I love the fact that WDE says he has a smart phone - wow who doesn’t and most have had theirs for the past 4 years or so. Glad you finally were able to join us you stupid turd. They’ve invented this thing called a smart tablet, they shortened it to the iPad, so stupid f**ks like you could understand it. You’ll see them around campus in a few years when they become a little cheaper.
5:13 pm on November 15th, 2010
Yes, Nick’s so perfect. He HITS a young man while cursing him out on National TV.
8:25 pm on November 16th, 2010
Auburn stands for, “”Alabama usually beats us rednecks in November”!
Roll Tide Roll!