The NCAA recently ruled that Auburn University quarterback Cam Newton is eligible to play this season, although they found his father, Cecil Newton, broke rules by shopping his son to schools during his recuritment.
Wait, so he was ruled ineligble at one point? That’s news to just about everyone who read today’s headline that Newton had been cleared.
The Associated Press reported that Auburn ruled the senior quarterback ineligible on Monday and requested he be reinstated. Usually the NCAA takes its sweet time to rule on situations such as this one, but only a day later, the Heisman hopeful was good to go.
So let’s get this straight, Cecil Newton allegedly demanded anywhere up to two-hundred-thousand dollars from universities in order to receive a commitment from his son. But the NCAA says that because Newton “didn’t know” that his father was trying to obtain a pay-for-play agreement he’s in the clear.
That makes no sense. The NCAA clearly states that soliciting money by any student-athlete or anyone representing a student athlete is a direct violation of rules, but because the kid claims he didn’t know he’s fine.
I wonder if the fact that he’s the Heisman front-runner and that No. 1 Auburn Tigers are a win away from playing for a national title had any effect on the ruling.
I find it hard to believe it didn’t. I also find it hard to believe that he didn’t know about it, or quite possibly was involved more than it has been led to believe.
If there’s smoke there’s probably fire. It is absolutely absurd that a parent, someone who obviously involved himself heavily in the recruitment of his son, can just go out and field offers for a student-athlete and not affect his ameture status. If the Newton family was seeking a pay-for-play plan, then Newton should have entered his name into the 2010 NFL Draft, because soliciting money is something for the pros.
Going back to January, Newton had been rumored to be leaning towards committing to the Missippi State Bulldogs, but announced for Auburn. Reports indicated that he chose the Tigers because his father wanted him to stay closer to home.
Let’s make it clear that Cecil Newton denied ever trying to obtain money for his son’s services, yet the NCAA obviously found evidence that he did infact seek payment, but they couldn’t find a connection to Newton. So father lies, and no connection between son to father asking for money found.
Really? So the direct connection of father and son is invisible?
If you remember this past summer, the NCAA raided the Alabama, North Carolina, and Florida football programs when it found out student-athletes may have received improper benefits. In each of those investigations, the process did not take just two days to close the book and rule on their findings. North Carolina lost almost their entire defense at one point this season, and waited months to recieve word on the status of those involved.
The University of Southern California waited four years after the Reggie Bush fiasco.
But Newton was able to cut to the front of the line and be ruled ineligible Monday, then ruled eligible Wednesday. This is quite possibly one of the most amazing stories I have ever read.
Mississippi State said they didn’t land Newton because the money was too much. So we’re believe that he chose Auburn because it would simply be more fun? Hard to believe after all the allegations that have surfaced.
Before todays ruling, many Heisman voters raised concerns about voting for Newton, fearing he could later be stripped like Bush was earlier this year. It’s clear that this guy is hands down the best player in college football this year. Does he deserve to win the trophy based solely on how he has performed on the gridiron? Absolutely. Quite honestly, it’s a joke that they will even invite anyone else to the ceremony, because neither LaMichael James (No. 2 Oregon), Andrew Luck (No. 4 Stanford), or Kellen Moore (No. 11 Boise State) are going to win it. No disrespect to any of them, because they have all had great years, but Newton’s play on the field has been on another level.
But the standards of winning the most coveted individual award go beyond how a student-athlete performs on the field. He must pocess, among other things, a high level of integrity, both on and off the field. His time at Florida proved he isn’t exactly a model citizen. He may have cleaned up his act on that part, but the recent finding of rules broke by his father raise eyebrows.
How much did Cam Newton know? If he knew money was being sought then he doesn’t deserve the trophy. It’s hard to believe he had no knowledge of what his father was doing.
Maybe it’s time to paying college athletes to avoid these types of headaches.
Adan Vasquez
