Cam Newton Scandal: Rep Sought Cash from MSU

This photo provided by the Berlin police department shows a teenage boy who wandered into the city almost nine months ago saying he had been living for the last five years in the forest with his father. / AP Photo/Berlin Police Department

A man who said he represented Auburn quarterback and Heisman hopeful Cameron Newton during his recruitment out of junior college last year asked for payment to secure his commitment to Mississippi State, according to former MSU player John Bond.

Newton has led Auburn (9-0) to the No. 3 ranking in The Associated Press poll and the No. 2 spot in the most recent Bowl Championship Series standings.

"I will say this, very loud and very clear: Cameron Newton is eligible at Auburn University. Period. End of story," Auburn coach Gene Chizik said Thursday night on his weekly radio show.

Bond said he went straight to MSU with the allegations.

"During the 2009 football season, I was contacted by a former football teammate, who represented to me that he was speaking for the Newton camp," Bond said in a statement given to the AP through his attorney. "He told me that Cam Newton wanted to play at Mississippi State, but that a specified payment would have to be made.

"I reported the conversation to the Mississippi State Athletic Department," Bond said. "I was told by the Athletic Department that Mississippi State would not respond to the overture that was made to me, and that Mississippi State would continue to recruit Cam Newton as it does any other football recruit."

ESPN.com, which first reported the story, cited unidentified people who said Bond's former teammate Kenny Rogers was the one soliciting payment. The website reported the school refused to get involved with Rogers, who has separately come under scrutiny from the NFL Players Association and the NCAA.

Rogers has a company called Elite Football Preparation, which holds camps in Alabama, Chicago and Mississippi, and matches football prospects with colleges.

Attempts by the AP to reach Rogers were unsuccessful.

In a statement, the school said "we are comfortable that representatives of Mississippi State University's interests conducted themselves appropriately and in compliance with all NCAA by-laws."

MSU compliance director Bracky Brett refused to comment in a text message.

Bond's lawyer, Phil B. Abernethy, said in a statement to the AP that Bond has been interviewed by the NCAA.

"The NCAA cannot comment on current, pending or potential investigations," NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn said in an e-mail.

The ESPN.com report said Rogers told Bond that schools "had already offered $200,000" for Newton. But since Newton liked MSU coach Dan Mullen when the two were at Florida together in 2007 and '08, MSU could "get him for $180,000." Mullen was the offensive coordinator at Florida before taking the Mississippi State job after the 2008 season.

Newton's father, Cecil Newton, told the AP that the family denies any allegations and is "cooperating with the investigation."

Southeastern Conference spokesman Charles Bloom declined comment.

Bond played quarterback for Mississippi State from 1980 to 1983. Rogers was there from 1982-85.

[kittcaff]

Great Article on Cam. Check out my thoughts and Cam at http://sportsjunkie83.blogspot.com/

[theywerestrongandgood]

Bond says there were two people going between him and the supposed runner for the agent, yet there is no evidence even of a connection with Rogers. It's a load of BS. If the family had been so desperate they could not wait a year for Cam to go to the NFL, even though his brother was already in the NFL, where is the money? Cam doesn't even have a car. The church is still in need of major renovations. None of it makes a bit of sense.

[talkin2u924]

Here's another point of view. Why has NO ONE ripped on the NCAA? So ok, if...IF this guy did ask for money...is that not his right. The NCAA does not lay down federal law, the kid has committed no crime and if IF he did, at the time he was not even beholden to the NCAA for anything. He was not even a member of a team. And if he decided that his talents were valuable enough to see if he could make money on them, so be it. What has this kid done? NOTHING. What crime has he committed? NONE Is he a hardened felon. NO. The NCAA has no right to begin to interfere in the lives and conduct of private citizens. Americans have the right to put a value on a product or service and bring it to the market place. I think we are giving the NCAA way to much power and the media only magnifies their position. NO ONE has commented that the NCAA may be totally out of whack and that the student is deserving of compensation if they decide that's what they want to do. I do see both points of view but no one has blasted the NCAA nor questioned its authority.

[rocketjl]

If anything at all, I believe we should look at the sports company. They saw a good player and went out feeling what kind of money might be out there. Next step would have been to contact Newton, saying have I got a deal for you. By the way, is there anything between these old run of the mill QBs and this new guy Newton???????

[Doctor_Bones]

Corruption and big money in college athletics - I can't believe it. I thought it was all about sportsmanship.

[pragmatist1]

Cash and in-kind rewards for the athlete, amateur and professional, has gotten out of control since the 1980s. Greed has been the driving force. They that have the most to give can afford to get the best.

[mikeonthebay]

How is this the Cam Newton scandal? The NCAA and Auburn knew about this last summer and it was cleared by both. Sounds like northern sport writers want Cam and Auburn out of the Heisman and National Championship, in favor of an Oregon and Bose state. I am looking forward to Auburn or Alabama pounding the Ducks in the NC. Until there is proof, sportwriters should hold their comments to themselves.

[RobAla]

I agree.. and especially about the NC.