OT: Cam Newton reportedly under NCAA investigation
November 4th, 2010 at 6:16 PM ^
was just about to post: Pete Thamel, a writer for the New York Times, has been tweeting about Cam's recruitment.
BREAKING NEWS: We have on-record confirmation the NCAA is investigating the recruitment of Cameron Newton. John Bond, a former Mississippi State quarterback said today that "a payment had to be made" for Newton to play there. Miss State declined [comment]. Bond spoke to the NCAA and said "he acted entirely appropriately throughout this matter." More later on NYTimes.com.
http://twitter.com/#!/PeteThamelNYT
and espn article http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5765214
November 4th, 2010 at 6:10 PM ^
Well wouldn't that be a twist. If he did receive payments, would that come out before the Heisman winner is picked? I put money on James before the season, so that'd be the only way he could win now.
November 4th, 2010 at 6:16 PM ^
Or if Newton totally melts down against Bama's D
November 4th, 2010 at 6:45 PM ^
James in my opinion should win it.. He is consistently putting up stupid numbers, and for such a little guy he really has worked hard.
Cam newton is great, but James is just unreal im my opinion
November 5th, 2010 at 3:37 AM ^
Yes James is putting up great numbers but I find it stupid that he would win it over a QB with more rushing yards and then tag on the passing stats
November 5th, 2010 at 4:07 AM ^
Considering he doesn't touch the ball every single play like a QB does that isn't too fair. Also consider Denard played poorly against the 2 toughest teams we've played all year, and quality wins have a significant impact over the heisman debate.
November 5th, 2010 at 7:28 AM ^
He meant Cam Newton, not Denard. I think, anyway.
November 5th, 2010 at 9:22 AM ^
Cam Newton doesn't have more rushing yards than James, Denard does. Ergo, he must have been referring to Denard.
November 5th, 2010 at 11:58 AM ^
I was referring to Denard but by the end of the season it is possible that Cam may have more rushing yards than LaMichael.
November 4th, 2010 at 6:13 PM ^
We need something called evidence. I hope they elaborate more in the article.
November 4th, 2010 at 6:19 PM ^
but if the NCAA does find evidence, every game Cam played in is now forfeited if he's ineligible, so it's possible that Auburn yanks him out of games. It's doubtful since they'll blow without him, but nonetheless the bad press will not help with recruits. That sounds vaguely familiar for some reason.
November 4th, 2010 at 6:28 PM ^
It wouldn't make any sense to yank him out of any games, because if he was found ineligible, they would be 0-8 right now. So it wouldn't really gain them anything like a potential bowl birth if he was found guilty.
I really hope this isn't true though. College football does not need anymore scandals like this with high profile players.
November 4th, 2010 at 6:14 PM ^
In the words of Keith Jackson, "Goodbye Heisman!"
November 4th, 2010 at 6:15 PM ^
Too soon?
November 4th, 2010 at 6:50 PM ^
No. Besides, I thought the same thing.
November 4th, 2010 at 6:16 PM ^
Is anyone shocked? Auburn has gotten a lot of flack for its elaborate recruiting practices under Chizik, I don't doubt that they would have REALLY rolled out the red carpet for a player like Cam Newton.
November 4th, 2010 at 6:26 PM ^
Get a fucking clue.
He didn't sign with Auburn out of high school, he signed with Florida.
That's just another wrinkle as to why this would be interesting. Did Florida pay him?
Edit: After reading the entire article, it seems to be talking about money he would have taken while leaving Florida for either Auburn or Miss St. Either way, if he was looking for money then - he was probably looking for it out of high school as well...
November 4th, 2010 at 6:31 PM ^
Haha, I find it funny that you start your reply by "Get a fucking clue" only to later edit your comment saying that you hadn't read the entire article yet and then go on to make assumptions about Florida to validate your statement.
I really have no opinion on Cam Newton, Auburn, or Florida, but your comment made me laugh. So thanks.
November 4th, 2010 at 6:48 PM ^
Thanks. I believe my work experience today has contributed to the post above. My brain was incapable of deducting that this could have been related to when he was leaving Florida.
But in my defense, that ESPN article is so poorly written - it's hard to figure anything out if you're just skimming the article.
November 4th, 2010 at 6:33 PM ^
Is it weird that ESPN suddenly has an article posted shortly after Thamel's tweet? Not that it matters, just seems a little odd. Thamel hints at a huge story and then ESPN's article appears with three writers in the byline. It almost seems that ESPN had been sitting on the article for a little while...
November 4th, 2010 at 6:41 PM ^
It takes way longer to tweet something than it does to release an article. If anything ESPN would want the scoop on this and get it out as quickly as possible.
November 4th, 2010 at 6:56 PM ^
it takes a lot longer for someone to tweet something than it does for espn to throw together a poorly written article
November 4th, 2010 at 6:35 PM ^
Bond said the former teammate told him other schools had already offered $200,000, but since Newton really liked Mississippi State and had a relationship with head coach Dan Mullen dating to when both were at Florida, Mississippi State could get him for $180,000.
C'mon Cam! Don't sell yourself short like that!
November 4th, 2010 at 6:38 PM ^
"Multiple media reports this fall have said Cam Newton preferred going to Mississippi State, but his father preferred Auburn. According to a story in Sports Illustrated last week, Cam Newton left the final decision to his father, who declared to the family last Dec. 23 that his son would attend Auburn."
Seriously?
November 4th, 2010 at 6:40 PM ^
That's actually pretty funny - sounds like the kids has a good business head.
November 4th, 2010 at 6:48 PM ^
This makes you feel good about having humble athletes like Denard.
November 4th, 2010 at 6:54 PM ^
"You know man, we go way back, so here's what I'm going to do: How does 20 grand sound? I'll knock 20 grand off the price and we'll call it good. Why? 'Cause I like you man."
November 4th, 2010 at 8:16 PM ^
I now hate Cam Newton. What a scumbag. You get a free college education and a shot at the NFL, along with beautiful women who will be all over you. Do you really need more?
November 4th, 2010 at 8:36 PM ^
I can actually understand it in this case if he wanted the money for his dad's church. Better reasoning than most players who take money at least. I'm obviously not condoning it (if he did take money) but if that's why he did it I can appreciate the good intentions. Though, the road to hell...
November 5th, 2010 at 12:17 PM ^
"Multiple media reports this fall have said Cam Newton preferred going to Mississippi State, but his father preferred Auburn. According to a story in Sports Illustrated last week, Cam Newton left the final decision to his father, who declared to the family last Dec. 23 that his son would attend Auburn."
Christmas morning at the Newton's:
"Son, merry xmas, you're going to Auburn."
November 4th, 2010 at 6:20 PM ^
Right before Auburn's big game against... Chattanooga? I might have held on to this one another week.
November 4th, 2010 at 7:13 PM ^
Though to be respectful to the Mocs, they're 4-2 in their conference. Better than us.
November 4th, 2010 at 6:22 PM ^
(Sacastically shocked voice) "Oh my god. I am so shocked that a SEC team is under investigation for illegal recruiting. Oh no!"
November 4th, 2010 at 6:26 PM ^
I feel sadness for Eddie George and Dienhart, for they might lose the one they love.
November 4th, 2010 at 6:45 PM ^
This is breaking the airways just in time. Maybe this will help with kris frost and now that the NCAA has finished the investigation maybe more recruits will commit.
November 4th, 2010 at 6:55 PM ^
Now that the NCAA has come out with its report on M (yawn) the freep might have some time on its hands. Maybe they can hit the investigative trail again. Then we can really get to the bottom of this. I got this mental image of Rosenberg and Snyder down in Alabama getting chased by a bunch of good ole boys with bad intentions 'cause they don't take a cotton to the questions those yanks been a asking.
November 4th, 2010 at 7:13 PM ^
pursues the dirtiest of the dirty. Forget SEC payola, too much stretching is putting these kids at risk!
November 4th, 2010 at 7:49 PM ^
That image makes me all tingly in my happy parts. Or happy in my tingly parts.
November 4th, 2010 at 6:56 PM ^
You guys with me?
November 4th, 2010 at 7:30 PM ^
towards others in the league and especially his attacks on denard earlier in the season are evidence enough that he is the kind of kid that would probably do this. i wouldn't convict him yet but it would be no shock to me if he had done this just based on his attitude and actions.
November 5th, 2010 at 5:22 PM ^
What's this about Cam Newton attacking Denard? I must've missed that. Please elaborate.
November 4th, 2010 at 7:36 PM ^
If Newton did take cash, then there should be hell to pay.
As for John Bond's comment "a payment had to be made" for Newton to play there, well one can only hope that there's sufficient evidence to back up Bond's spectactular claim. Because without it, it's a pretty big leap, not to mention a public defamation of character of Cameron Newton.
Besides are we to believe that Cameron Newton doesn't know the difference between Univ of Auburn and going to school in Starkville, MS?
Better get a lawyer, Mr. Bond.
November 4th, 2010 at 7:43 PM ^
award
November 4th, 2010 at 8:35 PM ^
November 4th, 2010 at 11:35 PM ^
LaMichael delivers another Labeating to his girlfriend, they may frown on that
November 4th, 2010 at 8:41 PM ^
The home of presumption of guilt....
unless it's about Michigan
November 4th, 2010 at 8:47 PM ^
I agree that it's extremely ironic that after this Freep jihad that just ended, that mgoblog is so quick to jump on a story where no one here knows what actually happened.