News / People
Cam Newton Cleared By NCAA
Cam Newton is good to go for this week’s SEC championship.
The Heisman hopeful quarterback was ruled eligible by the NCAA in a statement released on Wednesday. However, the association did reveal that Newton’s father broke rules by shopping Cam to another school. The case has yet to be closed.
"Based on the information available to the reinstatement staff at this time, we do not have sufficient evidence that Cam Newton or anyone from Auburn was aware of this activity, which led to his reinstatement," said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president for academic and membership affairs. "From a student-athlete reinstatement perspective, Auburn University met its obligation. ... Under this threshold, the student-athlete has not participated while ineligible."
Only a day earlier, Auburn declared Newton ineligible after receiving word from the NCAA that a violation had occurred. The school immediately requested his eligibility be reinstated and the NCAA cleared him today.
"We are pleased that the NCAA has agreed with our position that Cam Newton has been and continues to be eligible to play football at Auburn University,” said Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs. “We appreciate the diligence and professionalism of the NCAA and its handling of this matter."
The NCAA became involved during the summer in investigating the pay-for-play scheme that was discussed during Newton's recruitment. Two Mississippi State boosters accused Cecil Newton and Rogers of trying to get up to $180,000 for Cam Newton to play for the Bulldogs while the quarterback was being recruited out of junior college last year.
No. 1 Auburn plays No. 19 South Carolina in the SEC championship game Saturday. With a win, the Tigers will remain undefeated and earn a spot in the BCS National Championship game.
