Newton a Victim

Newton A "Victim," Sources Say



Cameron Newton By Mark Murphy
Inside the Auburn Tigers
Posted Nov 5, 2010


Sources tell Inside the Auburn Tigers that Auburn University has no evidence of any wrongdoing by Cam Newton or anybody associated with Auburn.

Auburn, Ala.--Sources very close to the Auburn University Athletic Department have told Inside the Auburn Tigers that Auburn has “no evidence whatsoever” of any wrongdoing by any member of the athletic department or by Cameron Newton in the wake of media reports on Thursday that an investigation is being conducted into Newton’s recruitment by Mississippi State.
According to reports, agent Kenny Rogers, a former football player at Mississippi State, is being investigated for trying to solicit money from Mississippi State in exchange for having Newton sign with the Bulldogs out of Blinn Junior College in Texas. Cecil Newton, the quarterback’s father, denied that was the case or that there were any improprieties in the recruiting of his son who committed to Auburn last New Year’s Eve, choosing the Tigers over Mississippi State and Oklahoma.

“There is no evidence whatsoever of any contact between Mr. Rogers and anyone on the staff at Auburn University or anyone associated with Auburn University,” the source said, noting that Auburn looked into the matter over the summer before the start of the season and found no issues with Newton.

“There have also been no NCAA allegations made against Auburn University or anybody on the Auburn staff regarding the recruitment of Cam Newton,” the source said.

“This is a really sad and disgusting situation,” the source added. “Cameron Newton and his family have become the victim of a rogue agent with a questionable past and of other people who are out to hurt Cam Newton and his family.”

Auburn officials have had little to say about the matter for the record other than Coach Gene Chizik’s comment that Newton remains eligible to play football at Auburn. On Friday, Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs said that if there was any gray area concerning any athlete's eligibility or compliance with NCAA rules, including Newton, that athlete would not be allowed to compete for Auburn. Jacobs then noted that Newton will continue to play for the Tigers.

“Concentrate on that comment about Cam Newton being eligible to play at Auburn,” the source said regarding Chizik's public statement. “That comment is short, but it says a lot. Auburn’s NCAA compliance director (Rich McGlynn) has a reputation for being extremely competent and tough in his position. He believes strongly in following NCAA rules to the letter. If there was any doubt whatsoever about Cam Newton’s status you can be assured that he would have not been on the football field playing for the Tigers this year.”

Commenting on why Auburn is not publicly defending the quarterback and speaking out on the matter, the source said, “In a situation like this the NCAA rules do not allow the university to comment. It is unfortunate that is the case now because members of the Auburn staff believe that Cam did nothing wrong and he is a terrific young man