The Auburn Tigers are in the midst of producing one of their best seasons in school history. Auburn has enjoyed five undefeated seasons since 1932 and looked to be well on their way to a sixth this season as they have been playing lights out en route to a #2 ranking in both the Coaches Poll and the BCS Poll. Then, John Bond contacted ESPN and started talking Cam Newton and alleged agent Kenny Rogers.
Now the NCAA is investigating alleged recruiting violations involving Newton and a $200,000 price that was attached to the QB and his signing his name to a National Letter of Intent to play at the school with the highest offer. I have marveled at the talents that QB Cam Newton has displayed on the field this year. The kid has rushed for 1,122 yards and 14 TD’s, passed for 1, 573 yards, 15 TD’s, 3 interceptions (5/1 ratio), completing 66.7% of his passes and boasts an amazing 172.6 QB rating. Unbelievable numbers for the sure to be #1 pick and Sunday afternoon/Monday evening sensation. The skills that the QB possesses are those that cannot be taught because they are simply god-given physical talent, and being 6”6 245 also doesnt hurt either.
But then you have to wonder about the personal actions of the player and the decision making of his parents, if what is circling college football is true. Now, we are looking at an investigation by the NCAA into allegations of accepting payment to attend the college that could offer the best financial compensation. Although it may have been his parents that accepted the money, much like the Reggie Bush-USC fiasco that still has them swimming around in hot water, the kid is still going to pay for it in the long-run. Even if he and his family are not found to be guilty of accepting any payment he still now has a new stink on him that may make even the Heisman Trust not want to touch him after dealing with the last “ReGift” of the coveted award and the controversy that surrounded that issue. Now, as when a man is down, others have stepped forward and started to offer all types of new or previously unshared information. Now the story behind the real reason that Newton left Florida has again been making news. While at Florida, Newton was arrested and charged with Burglary, Larceny and Hindering of Justice, all three Felony’s, surrounding a Dell laptop that was stolen from the dorm room of a fellow Gator. The computer was found by campus police by locating it on GatorLink WiFi while in use. Upon arrival at the QB’s dorm room Newton answered the door and police located the computer, now painted black with Newton displayed across the cover in white. Needing to check the validity of the computer and ensure that they had the correct item, because the serial numbers were off by one number, campus police removed themselves to the hallway and closed the door. When they entered the room again the computer was gone. After looking outside of the dorm police located it outside next to the dumpsters. Newton admitted that he threw it out of the window later. Newton received a slap on the hand for the charges and was allowed to enter a first offenders program to have the charges dismissed upon completion. Shortly thereafter, he transferred.
Now Newton finds himself in another bit of a pickle only this time involving alot more money, a larger more powerful investigative body and a much more precious commodity...his eligibility! We will see how things turn out this time for Mr. Newton and how if at all the Auburn Tiger Athletic Program is affected.
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