NCAA investigating Cam Newton for taking cash

[eazyb81]

Just hit ESPN. I guess that's one way that Bama can beat Auburn this year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5765214

During the height of star quarterback Cam Newton's recruitment out of junior college last year, a man saying he represented Newton allegedly was soliciting a six-figure payment to secure his signature on a national letter-of-intent, ESPN.com has learned.


Former Mississippi State quarterback John Bond told ESPN.com a teammate of Bond's at Mississippi State in the early 1980s contacted him soon after Newton's official visit to Mississippi State during the Ole Miss game in December, and said he was representing Newton.


"He said it would take some cash to get Cam," Bond said. "I called our athletic director, Greg Byrne, and he took it from there. That was pretty much it." Multiple sources told ESPN.com that Mississippi State called the SEC office with Bond's information shortly after he brought it to the attention of the school.


Sources told ESPN.com the former teammate is Kenny Rogers, who played at Mississippi State from 1982-85. Rogers operates a Chicago-based company called Elite Football Preparation, which holds camps in Chicago, Alabama and Mississippi. A Lexis search for that business lists Kenneth Rogers as the contact and his title as "agent." A Birmingham News story from 2008 said Elite Football Preparation "matches high school athletes with college programs."


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.


"I have no agenda other than protecting Mississippi State," Bond said. "We've done what we were supposed to do from the very beginning. Mississippi State has done nothing wrong, and I've done nothing wrong. It's been handed off to the NCAA, and it's in their hands now. I don't know what happened at Auburn. I don't know why he went to Auburn. That's not my concern. My concern is Mississippi State and making sure this doesn't cause us any trouble."


Bond said an NCAA investigator came to Mississippi to meet with him in early September, as well as with Mississippi State officials.
When interviewed by ESPN.com Thursday at the family's home in Atlanta, Cecil Newton, Cam's father, denied any wrongdoing.
"If Rogers tried to solicit money from Mississippi State, he did it on his own, without our knowledge," Cecil Newton said.
Cecil Newton said he first met Rogers two years ago, when Cam Newton left Florida. He said he talked to Rogers on several occasions to find out more about Mississippi State, but never met Rogers until Cam Newton's official visit to Starkville.


Cecil Newton said the family received a letter from the NCAA "about a month ago" asking for financial statements. He said he submitted bank statements and records for the church where he is pastor, Holy Zion Center of Deliverance in Newnan, Ga., along with other records.


The church has been in the news in Coweta County, Ga., often in the past year. According to stories in The Times-Herald newspaper Cecil Newton's church was in danger of being demolished by order of the Newnan City Council in 2009 for failing to meet the city's building code. One story said Cecil Newton told the council last September the building would be brought to code "inside of six months." After numerous delays, extensions and compromises from the council, renovation work began last spring and The Times-Herald reported last week that the church is in compliance with Newnan's building requirements.


"If you've ever seen our church, you'd know we don't have any money," said Cam Newton's mother, Jackie. "We have nothing."
Holy Zion Center of Deliverance is not the only church Cecil Newton is involved in overseeing. Cam Newton told ESPN.com last month that his dad is a bishop to five churches in Georgia.


"I'm just trying to protect my son's interests, because he's fought very hard to get back where he is," Cecil Newton said. "It's a hell of a fight when people give up on you and think they'll never see you or hear from you again."


NCAA officials declined comment on the allegation involving Newton on Wednesday.


"We do not comment on current, pending or potential investigations," said Stacey Osburn, the NCAA's associate director for media

and public relations.


Julie Roe Lach, the NCAA's new director of enforcement, said it is the association's policy to neither confirm nor deny an investigation.


SEC associate commissioner Greg Sankey, who oversees conference compliance, said the league received "specific information" regarding the Newton allegation in late July of this year.


"When we get information, we share it with the institution when it is involved," Sankey said.


Without specifically addressing the initial call from Mississippi State, which came several months earlier, Sankey said what the SEC originally was told about the allegation was "limited information."


"We don't deal in rumor and innuendo," Sankey said. "We deal in facts."


He said the SEC is not an investigative body, adding that it can share information with NCAA enforcement as needed. He declined to say whether the Newton allegation was shared with the NCAA.


Sankey also would not directly comment on whether the league office considers this an ongoing issue or a closed case.


"We're attentive to a variety of issues at any given time," he said. "We pay attention to a lot."


"We are comfortable that representatives of Mississippi State University's interests conducted themselves appropriately and in compliance with all NCAA by-laws," Mississippi State said in a statement to ESPN.com. "Mississippi State is committed to operating our athletics programs within the rules of the NCAA and Southeastern Conference, and we expect those affiliated with our program to continue to do the same."


Sources said Mississippi State refused to get involved with Rogers, whose association with Chicago-based agent Ian Greengross has come under scrutiny from the NFL Players Association and the NCAA.


NFLPA spokesman Carl Francis told ESPN.com on Thursday the organization is "in the process of investigating [Greengross and Rogers] as we speak for violations of our rules and regulations."


A voice message left with Greengross by ESPN.com was not immediately returned. Attempts to reach Rogers, who also played for the Miami Dolphins during the 1987 strike, were unsuccessful. The voice mailbox at Elite Football Preparation was full Thursday.
At the time of Rogers' alleged solicitation, Mississippi State was perceived to have the inside track because of Newton's relationship with Mullen, who was the offensive coordinator at Florida when Newton was a backup to Tim Tebow. He later left Florida and went to Blinn College, a two-year school in Brenham, Texas.


After his official visit to Starkville, Newton took visits to Oklahoma on Dec. 11 and Auburn Dec. 18.


On Dec. 31, 2009, Newton publicly committed to Auburn, where this season he has led the Tigers to a 9-0 record and No. 2 ranking in the BCS standings. Along the way, Newton's dazzling running and passing have elevated him to Heisman Trophy favorite status.
"We have been made aware of the allegation. Unfortunately, we cannot comment at this time," Auburn assistant athletic director, media relations Kirk Sampson said. "However, Cam Newton is eligible to play football at Auburn."

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by ohiobronco2

Every conference seems to have about one team with either a questionable program or head coach. The SEC has several. florida (How many arrests under Urban. I wont leave BG for Utah. I won't leave Utah for florida. I won't leave florida for.......), Alabama (oversigns every year. Abuse of the medical redshirt. Saban is a lying scum bag.), Arkansas (Petrino-Do I need to insert the Mike Zimmer rant here?) and Auburn(Newton-we will have to wait and see).

Originally Posted by eazyb81

Do you think Florida got a refund on their payment since he left school early?

As much as people like to point out, joke about, condemn Florida's "arrest" record the facts are:

- Out of the “30 arrests”, there were 23 misdemeanors (9 dropped) & 7 felonies

- Of the 7 felonies, 2 charges were dropped, leaving 5 felonies

- The 5 felonies:

1. Avery Atkins, suspended indefinitely, left school, committed suicide

2. Ronnie Wilson, suspended 12 games, later kicked off team

3. Jamar Horsnby, kicked off team, transferred to Ole Miss

4. Jacques Rickerson, kicked off team

5. Cam Newton, suspended indefinitely, left school, transferred to AUB

Not a single player charged with a felony walked on the field wearing the UF uniform again.

[tk13]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5786315

Two sources who recruit for Mississippi State said that Cecil Newton and his son, quarterback Cam Newton, admitted in separate phone conversations to a pay-for-play plan while Newton was being recruited late last year.

Mississippi State compliance officials relayed the alleged conversations to Southeastern Conference compliance officials in January, according to two other sources close to the football program.

Prior to Newton's commitment to Auburn, one of the recruiters said Cecil Newton told him it would take "more than a scholarship" to bring his son to Mississippi State, a request the source said the school would not meet. Cecil Newton also referred the recruiter to a third person that would provide more specifics, the source said.

After Newton committed to Auburn, another source said an emotional Cam Newton phoned another recruiter to express regret that he wouldn't be going to Mississippi State, stating that his father Cecil had chosen Auburn for him because "the money was too much."

[Buck]

So if Auburn is undefeated after the SEC Championship game, but the Cam Newton thing hasn't been figured out, do you think either the BCS or Heisman Trust will DQ Auburn/Newton?

If they have Auburn in the Nat'l Championship game, and Auburn wins, and a month later he is found guilty, what then?

[eazyb81]

Originally Posted by Buck

So if Auburn is undefeated after the SEC Championship game, but the Cam Newton thing hasn't been figured out, do you think either the BCS or Heisman Trust will DQ Auburn/Newton?

If they have Auburn in the Nat'l Championship game, and Auburn wins, and a month later he is found guilty, what then?

Same thing that happened to USC with Reggie Bush.

The NCAA is praying that Saban beats Auburn so this Newton mess isn't a cloud over the BCS championship game.

[Beef Supreme]

Such a two-faced society we are. How many millions are other people making off of star college athletes while they risk injuries that could keep them from making money in the pros?

While I don't think a school should be able to buy a national championship, I do find it unfair that everyone else involved makes a shitpile of money off of these kids, but they are required to get nothing and risk everything.

It's also not even illegal. It's just against collegiate rules, and the punishment is they can't play anymore.

They won't ever be able to stop this behavior. It is simply supply and demand.

[blaise]

When Cam Newton goes to McDonalds he orders water and then fills his cup with Coke.

[alpha_omega]

Originally Posted by blaise

When Cam Newton goes to McDonalds he orders water and then fills his cup with Coke.

But does he also have the Rat Salad?

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by BigChiefTablet

I do find it unfair that everyone else involved makes a shitpile of money off of these kids, but they are required to get nothing and risk everything.

Uh, many of these kids get into schools they wouldn't based solely upon academics, they get a free education, free housing, free food, free clothing, etc. If you add up the costs at a relatively inexpensive school like Florida, you're probably talking $25k-$30k for an in-state kid and $45k-$50k for an out-of-state kid per year.

You jump to a USC and tuition alone is $40k+ per year.

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by BigChiefTablet

Such a two-faced society we are. How many millions are other people making off of star college athletes while they risk injuries that could keep them from making money in the pros?

While I don't think a school should be able to buy a national championship, I do find it unfair that everyone else involved makes a shitpile of money off of these kids, but they are required to get nothing and risk everything.

It's also not even illegal. It's just against collegiate rules, and the punishment is they can't play anymore.

They won't ever be able to stop this behavior. It is simply supply and demand.

BUT BUT BUT BUT these high starred recruits are getting................wait.....................A COLLEGE EDUCATION!!!!!!!!!!

NOTHING can be more valuable I tell ya!!!

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Uh, many of these kids get into schools they wouldn't based solely upon academics, they get a free education, free housing, free food, free clothing, etc. If you add up the costs at a relatively inexpensive school like Florida, you're probably talking $25k-$30k for an in-state kid and $45k-$50k for an out-of-state kid per year.

You jump to a USC and tuition alone is $40k+ per year.

Dude, its not even close to comparison when you're talking about the money the school spends on the players and the money the Ath dept makes off these programs.

If it wasn't worth the money....they would never do it. PERIOD.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Dude, its not even close to comparison when you're talking about the money the school spends on the players and the money the Ath dept makes off these programs.

If it wasn't worth the money....they would never do it. PERIOD.

For some major programs, yes. For many others football makes just enough to cover the other athletic programs (thanks to Title IX).

Players get more out of it than just education, too. They get coaching, strength & conditioning, medical care, etc. None of them are proven stars. They might get hurt (in which the school still pays their scholarship). For the guys who will eventually go pro, the athletic program is also preparing them for it. All of that costs $$ and is valuable to the athlete.

[WilliamTheIrish]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Uh, many of these kids get into schools they wouldn't based solely upon academics, they get a free education, free housing, free food, free clothing, etc. If you add up the costs at a relatively inexpensive school like Florida, you're probably talking $25k-$30k for an in-state kid and $45k-$50k for an out-of-state kid per year.

You jump to a USC and tuition alone is $40k+ per year.

Then give them 50k a year and forget the school part. You want a kid to stay all 4 years? Just pay him. That's why he's there.

The rest of the argument doesn't hold water.

[Bewbies]

I like how nobody is pointing out that if Newton was only playing for money, and he's now at Auburn, perhaps they're not clean in this....

[WilliamTheIrish]

Originally Posted by Bewbies

I like how nobody is pointing out that if Newton was only playing for money, and he's now at Auburn, perhaps they're not clean in this....

In my case, I don't give one good damn if was paid or demanded payment. At least he got something out of the deal.

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by Bewbies

I like how nobody is pointing out that if Newton was only playing for money, and he's now at Auburn, perhaps they're not clean in this....

because it goes without saying