Sabot 6

28-27

Whatever, sidewalk. :cool:

0-24
28-27
12-0
SIW

What's Urban Legend's record vs AU?

AUBURN FOOTBALL: Newton's father denies close ties to agent runner
By Jay G. Tate • jgtate@gannett.com • November 4, 2010

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Buzz up!Twitter FarkIt Type Size A A A AUBURN – A former Mississippi State player has told NCAA investigators that an agent runner claiming to represent Auburn star Cam Newton requested money in exchange for a promise that the quarterback would sign with MSU.


John Bond, the Bulldogs’ quarterback during the early 1980s, told ESPN.com the runner was a former college teammate who said Newton could be bought for $180,000.


Newton’s father told the Montgomery Advertiser on Thursday night that he knew the runner, identified as former Vestavia resident Kenny Rogers, but they weren’t close.


“He’s someone I talked to, sure, but no more than the other people who called me after Cam left University of Florida,” Cecil Newton said. “People called me all the time. He’s not a friend of mine.”


It's unclear if the NCAA's initial inquiry sparked a full-blown investigation – or if Auburn is even involved. The NCAA doesn't comment on current or future investigations.


Coach Gene Chizik declined to address the situation directly during his weekly radio show on Thursday night, but made a forceful statement nonetheless.


“Cameron Newton is eligible at Auburn University. Period. End of story,” he said.


Cam Newton spent the 2009 season at Blinn (Texas) Junior College after two seasons at Florida, where he grew weary of playing behind Tim Tebow. Newton emerged as the country’s most coveted junior college player during his one season in Texas.


He carefully considered both Auburn and Mississippi State before eventually choosing the Tigers in late December – a decision he has said was steered primarily by his father.


Controversy is nothing new to Rogers.


He reportedly is being investigated by the NFL Players Association for misrepresenting himself to several draft-eligible players last year, including former LSU standouts Brandon LaFell and Trindon Holliday and former Kentucky wideout Keenan Burton. Rogers reportedly told players he was an employee of the NFLPA, which is he is not.


Cecil Newton said he never accepted money – from Rogers or anyone else – in exchange for his son’s signature. An investigator working on behalf of the NCAA asked the Newton family to release their financial records earlier this year.


That request was fulfilled.


“Everything is unfounded,” said Newton, who recently retained an attorney. “The timing is so bad. Somebody is behind this. We'll figure out who.”#
Montgomery attorney Donald Jackson, who has worked extensively in cases involving the NCAA, said it’s common for the NCAA to investigate any claims against high-profile players.


Few ever see the light of day.


“They happen on an almost daily basis,” Jackson said. “For a violation to take place in this instance, the NCAA would have to confirm that the person in question was authorized by the family or the athlete to solicit a payment or extra benefit. And on top of that, that payment has to be made. There’s no violation with a payment but without the authorization and there’s no violation with the authorization and no payment.”

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