Oh, how things have changed on the Cam Newton front -- and quickly, for that matter.Wednesday, Auburn coach Gene Chizik said there was no question Newton would play Saturday against Georgia.
"I want to get this off the table up front: Cameron Newton will be playing Saturday against the Georgia Bulldogs," Chizik said.
Less than 48 hours later, and amidst a number of new and near-breathless reports, most notably a damning radio interview with Kenny Rogers on Thursday night, the school is suddenly taking a different tact.
No comment.
And when we hear that, it's a good bet that more trouble is still to come.
School officials, particularly athletic director Jay Jacobs, are now uttering those two infamous words for all things Newton. It's gotten to the point that now, all of a sudden, Newton's status for Saturday's game may not be as rock-solid as first appeared.
And, if you believe Twitter, which is up in arms by fans on both sides of the Newton situation, he may actually be held out Saturday until his eligibility that has been brought into question is once and for all firmly established ... or refuted.
Yahoo! Sports reported that the NCAA may "recommend" that Newton sit out Saturday's game until the probe is completed. The school's response to that? What else? "No comment."
While the Birmingham News and AuburnUndercover.com reported late Friday afternoon that Newton is expected to start Saturday, it would appear there remain many more questions than answers. The only way we'll get a definitive answer is when Auburn's first-string offense takes the field for its first series Saturday afternoon.
Rogers, a former player at Mississippi State, said on the radio that Cecil Newton, Cam's father, allegedly asked for between $100,000 and $180,000 to sign with Mississippi State. Rogers said that he wasn't sure if Cam Newton knew about his father's alleged request for money.
Rogers' attorney, Doug Zeit, said his client will likely detail what he knows to NCAA investigators "soon," and that he also expects to be contacted by the FBI at some point, too. Rogers has a company, Elite Football Preparation, that helps match aspiring players with colleges.
Cecil Newton has denied all allegations.
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Looks like ESPN is playing MSNBC.....Convicting before all the facts come in. What ever helps ratings whether true or not.....sad situation. I've never seen ESPN retrack when something proves untrue...
If the young man has a crooked father, it`s not his fault. And if Auburn believes he`s innocent, they need to stand behind him and play him - innocent until proven otherwise. As for the NCAA "recommendation" ? Meh. If he`s guilty, prove it - put up or shut up. Sounds like this Rogers fella needs to be brought up on some charges himself, rather than playing the hero. If Cam is guilty - or more importantly, if AUBURN is guilty, the whole season should be stripped. But until then, let `em play.
Are you so naive to think Cecil is crooked and Cam is a great kid??????
Are YOU so cynical to think if Cecil`s crooked, his kid is too ?
COme on dood ... Cam plays the victim card and all you guys just keep eating it up. Are we to believe that he is this innocent victim who didn't know a computer that costs $150 is fishy, but then throws it out the window when the police are at his door? Or how Tebow crushed his dreams to ever play at UF so he transferred to a JC ... but come to find out he was really running from UF so he didn't have to face consequences of cheating? And now he shocks the world when he chooses Auburn over MSU because his Daddy made him do it??? God Lawdy ... stop being stupid.
The Apple don't fall far from the tree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yes. yes i am.
Didn`t say I was defending him...just said we should withhold judgement until the facts are out. Seems it`s all coming to light now, and I stand by both sides of my argument (which everyone seems to be ignoring). Cecil should face charges, and if Auburn was stupid enough to pay someone for Cam, the season should be stripped and they should be buried under sanctions. Whoever is guilty should be dealt with harshly and swiftly.
If u are innocent you shout it from the rooftops, this new material makes me think innocent he is not!!!
Anyone who doesn't think Cam Newton is most likely a player riding on a bunch of money out of someone's pocket is a fool. The SEC is all about that. SEC will always buy players to prove they are the big time conference.
Is there someone in this Milky Way that thinks money was not given to the family ?
NEWTON WAS KICKED OUT OF FLORIDA FOR STEALING.HE MAY NOT BE GUILTY OF ANYTHING HERE,BUT LETS BE CLEAR HE IS NO ANGEL.
Fair enough, Clay, but let's cut to the chase: most athletes aren't. They aren't competing to enter into a monastery.
I do not care for Auburn. I am a Georgia fan. If Cam Newton is Guilty. I still think he can play because the DADDY asked for the money. IF HE DOESN'T PLAY GO DAWGS!
Clay, Newton wasnt kicked out of Florida. he was close and it was academic dishonesty was his problem there. then he TRANSFERED to Blinn junior college in Texas then transfered to Auburn so get the facts straight and idk if he did id like to think not but really idk...it shouldnt stop someone from playing!
Simple......give him a lie detector test.........if he passes....so be it..
but if he fails...........sit down young man.
that's the sec for you
Lets be real here,I am an Auburn fan but do believe it is all true.The facts will roll out.The timing is bad but it is always bad timing when something like this happens.Several are guilty,Newtons,Rogers,Auburn AD,maybe too much pressure on him to find someone really good.I do beleive a lot of this happens regardless what college but it is about who gets caught and who pays more,nothing different from business or politics.Goes back to basics,bigger sports programs in High Schools less
fundamentals in school taken away.Get the programs in school that are needed and take out what is not really needed as much.
I hope it all shakes out..
If Missisippi St. declined to pay,does that mean Cam decided to play for Auburn for free????? I think Cam's dad should have waited to be his agent until he got in the NFL.
Innocent till proven guilty, Auburn needs to support him until he is proven guilty,if he is, not supporting him is not how the justice system should work. Let Him play.