[update 11.18.2010] Cam Newton Saga – The Cliff Notes Version
Lets make this clear. This is strictly a rumor, but it is too interesting not to post. Message board talk and an email going around is suggesting that Auburn booster Milton McGregor is the one who paid Cam Newton $200,000. Allegedly, he’s the reason the FBI is involved in this whole deal. Here is the email below:
Rumor is that the following news will be released within the next week or so. It has something to do with an FBI bank fraud investigation into the failure of Colonial Bank and possible money laundering from a bingo casino owned by a Auburn alum and big time booster Milton McGregor (donated over $1 million for a stadium renovation). As part of these investigations, the FBI supposedly wiretapped a number of Auburn boosters. The rumor is that from these wiretaps, the FBI heard McGregor talking about how he had paid $200k for Cam Newton to Auburn . Apparently, this is why the FBI decided to become involved in the Cam Newton investigation. The FBI also apparently found evidence about other improprieties such as academic scandals and potentially paying refs.
Don’t know how much of that is actually true, but some people swear that it is. Also, David Pollack tweeted the following a few hours ago: “Man it sure sounds like the Cam situation is about to get ugly. Auburn fans might need to brace themselves.” If this is true, it could get really ugly for Auburn . Also, this back story explains a little more about the FBI’s involvement
The tweet from David Pollack is legit if nothing else.
Remember, that even if the FBI lets this information out in the next week or two, it probably won’t have any affect on Cam Newton’s eligibility. The information may be out, but the NCAA/SEC would still have to “investigate” these claims. We all know how slow they work, so don’t expect them to come down with the hammer this season.
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Posted by WarEagle on November 17, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Just stop with all the rumor spreading.
Posted by Chris Warzecha on November 17, 2010 at 3:09 pm
You'd like that wouldn't you? He called it what it was. A RUMOR. It's not like he's passing it along as fact. I don't blame you for disliking the situation, but i promise 90% of Auburn fans would be consumed with the story if it involved Alabama or LSU…
Posted by TH13TEEN on November 17, 2010 at 4:34 pm
You got that right. I can't believe how Auburn fans are burying their heads in the sand with this story. Most seem to think MSU is in trouble. This won't end well for Auburn. The Loveliest Village on the Plains is about to get sacked by the NCAA. Sucks for the State of Alabama and the SEC, but mostly it sucks for Auburn.
Posted by Nick Hall on November 17, 2010 at 6:59 pm
I am a diehard Auburn fan. I graduated from Auburn as did most of my family and I HATE Alabama. That said, I can tell you with my hand on the Bible that I still don't fully understand the Albert Means case. I cannot tell you the names of all the players. Some of the names I know from hearing about it over the years but I can't tell you their role in the case. The reason I can't tell you this is because I didn't follow it. I didn't care. It was something involving Alabama and so it didn't concern me. I guess that would put me in that 10% of Auburn fans who WOULDN'T be concerned about this if it were going on at Alabama.
Posted by Chris Warzecha on November 17, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Indeed it would.
However, I do feel it important to note that neither your favorite team nor Alabama finished ranked (at all) in the BCS from 2000 – 2003. The Means scandal happened in 2002 (I'll admit I had to look it up because I didn't even know who Albert Means was). My guess is the irrelevance of both teams nationally may have had something to do with your lack of interest.
Posted by Spencer_Mcnelly on November 18, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Totally agree, this wasn't a time of national powerhouse switching in the state of Alabama(Bama started year #1, Auburn is now #1 or #2) and i think the fact that its the heisman front running QB makes it a little more interesting to the public.
Posted by AUISNOOB on November 29, 2010 at 11:04 am
So funny how people like this stupid Auburn Fan hates on Alabama when it had / has nothing to do with Alabama. Get over the fact that Alabama has and will have the history of winning and yall don't. Sounds like ur just a sore loser period.
Posted by ESPN and others: NCAA looking at Cam Newton for possibly receiving extra benefits. - Page 397 - TideFans.com on November 17, 2010 at 3:05 pm
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Posted by john on November 17, 2010 at 4:50 pm
IF anyone for one minute believes any of this garbage then they are ignorant. Nothing has come out that holds any sort of merit or truth in the least bit. I can start spreading rumors now about the amount of money Alabama is paying Julio Jones. Who knows if its true, consider this an anonymous source…….. come on guys
Posted by Chris Warzecha on November 17, 2010 at 5:04 pm
If you can show that Julio Jones was previously thought to be a strong Ole Miss lean AND THEN provide former Ole Miss players who associate with Julio Jones' dad that will say they were there when he tried soliciting money from Ole Miss AND THEN give me Ole Miss recruiters that corroborate those allegations by saying they were the ones that were solicited AND THEN prove that Ole Miss did in fact turn over information regarding the issue to the SEC and NCAA AND THEN tell me that the FBI thought there was enough out there to take a look……then hell, I just might believe you.
Posted by Brian on November 17, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Why would you defend Lowder and McGregor before the truth comes out? This goes beyond a football rivalry. Crooks and major gambling interests have hijacked your program and your fanbase has not reacted with enough outrage. Why is Pat Dye still around? Why did Bobby Lowder's bank get investigated by the FBI? Why is someone who has been indicted for bribing public officials hanging around your athletic department? Get your head out of the sand and get your pitchfork ready because your alma mater's accreditation is at risk here.
Posted by Brian on November 17, 2010 at 6:07 pm
BTW, I'd like to ad this little tidbit about Mr. McGregor: http://blog.al.com/live/2009/09/victoryland_manip…
"A Tuskegee woman is suing Milton McGregor's VictoryLand electronic bingo operation, claiming that employees there escorted Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford to specific machines last month when he won more than $50,000."
Posted by john smith on November 17, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Thats was over 1 year ago not last month learn to read
Posted by Chris Warzecha on November 18, 2010 at 12:02 am
The above text you are arguing with is a quote from the linked story (hence the quotations). And you do realize that Cam Newton's recruitment did not take place last week, right? What this guy was up to a year ago is more relevant than anything else.
This McGregor guy was indigted and arrested last month for being involved in a political bribery scandal over the past few years (maybe more). Dude's shady.
Posted by Greg Skigrg on November 17, 2010 at 9:33 pm
If anyone can really follow this. Then anyone can suppose that it was Miss State alums that approached Cecil Newton. MS wanted Cam so bad they were willing to start a Pay for Play scheme. When things started back firing, MS State said no way we are going to be involved in this. So, the scandal plays on. Point fingers where there is a plausible person to stick it on. What Father doesn't want the Best for their children. Makes it look like Cecil is aledgedly guilty. When the heat is on, blame someone else. Cecil has been used and abused. No evidence. All washed up with a broken phone. Stories don't add up. Too many conflicting stories. Yep, I say Ms. State is trying to cover up by blaming Cecil. After all it was the Florida Coach that started all of this.
Posted by almightytmc1 on November 18, 2010 at 9:46 pm
Its difficult to believe that Cecil was shopping out Cam to several schools for $200,00 and then just gave him to Auburn for free.
Posted by abalama on November 17, 2010 at 11:38 pm
it is more than possible that these players you're referring to could be driving these newer SUVs and Trucks because their parents bought them…i mean, if they play for a national championship team and the player has a pretty good chance to go pro, then the parents credit score increases immediately – i'm not stupid, before you think it, i know it has happened –
Posted by WAR CAM EAGLE on November 17, 2010 at 11:42 pm
even if cam did take money from someone associated with auburn, what major badass SEC football player wouldn't? i guarantee you he wouldn't be the first player to do it, he'd just be the first to get caught. but if there was any possibility all this bullshit is true, gene chizik most definitely wouldn't still be playing him. gene is smarter than to risk the rest of his season. and hey look at that- cam's still playing!!
Posted by all in on November 18, 2010 at 12:22 am
too bad nothing will come out to be true in this, chris. some people just can't be happy for others success. shame
cam is a great person inside and out. if all of you can only see him as a greedy quarterback, i suggest you take a look at cam2newton.com > video > Cam In The Community. Your family stands behind you, Cam.
Posted by Chris Warzecha on November 18, 2010 at 7:50 am
To be honest, I don't find any fault in Cam Newton here. Even if he was aware of any of this going on (which seems not to be the case, anyway). And all this other stuff that has come out in regard to his past…he did or didn't do when he was 18 or 19. It's not fair to pass final judgment on a person for actions at that age.
The bottom line is that this is shaping up to be a major pay-for-play scheme by Auburn who, let's be serious here, has been guilty of it in the past more than once. Auburn would be the one to blame here, not Cam. And if half of this stuff is true, I hope they get slammed as hard as possible by the NCAA. Sorry, that's just the way I see it. And I'm far from a Bama fan, or someone who has any kind of axe to grind with Auburn. I'm an Arkansas alum and my favorite team plays in the Big Ten.
Posted by JNW on November 18, 2010 at 2:09 am
Auburn's obsession with the Tide's success has finally lead to its self-destruction.
Pity…..Used to look forward to the rivalry, regardless of outcome. This has gotten way too seedy for 'family' entertainment.
Posted by » Cliff Notes: The Auburn, SEC, FBI, Cam Newton, Cecil Newton, Milton McGregor Scandal | Illegal Shift on November 18, 2010 at 8:09 am
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