Cam Newton Update: Why Probe Could Cost Auburn's Gene Chizik Big Bucks
Cam Newton's eligibility remains intact. As of right now.
And Newton's play on the field, that remains pretty solid too. His passing and rushing was central the team's 49-31 victory home over Georgia, a win that earned them a spot in the conference title game.
But he hasn't been able to shake the increasingly worrisome allegations against him regarding "pay-for-play" and cheating while at Florida.
Here is some of the latest news.
Coach Gene Chizik Suffers If Newton Suffers
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USA Today is reporting that if Cam Newton is found to be involved in an NCAA violation or other fraud charges, it could cost Auburn head coach Gene Chizik his own money, in addition to scholarships, bowl appearances, etc.
Many of his bonuses (roughly $1.45 million this year) are contingent on the Tigers program not being involved in any NCAA "scandals."
More importantly those circumstances could also directly lead to the University suspending or firing the head coach and he would have to pay back a large amount of his salary.
That type of situation would probably be tied up in litigation for months if not years. But Chizik might be in just as much hot water as Newton.
FBI Joins In The Investigation
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TMZ Sports reported last week that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has joined in the search for answers regarding Cam Newton's recruitment to Auburn.
The FBI showed an interest in talking to former Mississippi State quarterback John Bond about Newton: according to earlier reports, Bond alerted Mississippi State officials that someone approached him about Newton transferring to Starksville, in exchange for approximately $180,000.
The FBI's interest apparently stretches beyond just Newton: they want to prevent and/or cure any "epidemic" of such cases.
John Bond Defends Decision
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According to the USA Today, last Thursday, John Bond stood outside his home and defended his decision to alert Mississippi State officials about the apparent "shopping" of then-Junior College quarterback Cam Newton.
Bond, a Bulldogs quarterback from 1980-83, told the University that someone (apparently Kenny Rogers, a former teammate of Bond's who currently works as a recruiter for an NFL agent) floated around dollar figures necessary to bring Newton to Mississippi State.
On Thursday he told reporters he "did the right thing" by telling school officials. That same week, a former Bulldog teammate, Bill Bell, allegedly told him that Newton's father had called Bell and openly discussed wanting money in exchange for Newton's transfer to Mississippi State.
Bond is supposed to meet with FBI officials today.
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Kenny Rodgers Points The Finger At Cecil Newton
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Kenny Rogers, the man implicated as a "go between" in the Cam Newton scandal, is schedule to meet with NCAA investigators sometime next week.
According to John Bond, Rogers shopped Newton to the former Mississippi State quarterback. But last week, Rogers told 103.3 FM in Dallas that it was Cecil Newton, Cam's father, who was the one actively pursuing monetary compensation.
Heisman Voters Split On Guidelines
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The Cam Newton "scandal" is extra juicy because of the possible impact it will have on the Heisman Trophy race.
Most people believe Newton is the front runner to win the award. But the allegations of his cheating while at Florida, along with the questions about his eligibility have made his candidacy murky.
Some voters, such as John Shinn of the Norman, Oklahoma Transcript, have come out and said, assuming Newton is eligible for the award, their votes will not be influence. His colleague Clay Horning doesn't feel the same.
Heisman Trophy winners also have a vote. Former Auburn great Bo Jackson said last month that he already marked the ballot in Newton's favor. That doesn't seem any less likely after he was on the sidelines of the Tiger win last Saturday.
But with the Reggie Bush scandal already fresh in their minds, other Heisman winners might not be so quick to give Newton the award.
Next For Newton, Auburn
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The Auburn Tigers currently rank second in the AP and Coaches polls and are ranked second in the BCS Standings, behind Oregon in each.
After a 10-0 overall record and seven wins in the conference, they have clinched the SEC West and earned a spot in the conference title game, to be played against South Carolina on December 4 in Atlanta.
One more regular season game remains on the schedule, however. Next week is the annual Iron Bowl, against in-state rival Alabama. In order to secure a spot in the BCS National Championship Game, they most likely have to defeated the defending national champion.
The game will be played the day after Thanksgiving, at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The last time the Iron Bowl was held there in Tuscaloosa, in 2008, Auburn was shutout 36-0.
Newton Declares Innocents.....Sort Of
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Newton himself has not talked very much about the allegations made against him. And he did not comment on the story for reporters following Saturday's home victory over Georgia.
But he did go on the record, when asked two weeks ago about the "pay for play" charges regarding Mississippi State.
The week of Auburn's game against Chattanooga, he told reporters "I didn't do anything wrong."
Newton Doesn't Lose Some Voters Support
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Although during the television broadcast of last week's Georgia-Auburn, CBS didn't declare Newton the player of the game (they chose to honor head coach Gene Chizik instead), the Southeastern Conference named Newton the conference's co-offensive player of the week.
Newton shared the award with his teammate, offensive lineman Mike Berry.
The Auburn quarterback was 12-for-15, with 148 yards, and two touchdowns in addition to his standard excellent ground day: 30 carries 151, two rushing scores. He won the award for the SEC's offensive player award for fifth time this season.
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