Auburn quarterback Cam Newton is eligible to play in the SEC championship game this weekend, even though the NCAA says his father broke rules by shopping his son to Mississippi State. The NCAA released its finding in a statement today. The college sports governing body concluded on Monday that a violation of Newton’s amateur status had occurred. Auburn declared Newton ineligible on Tuesday and requested his eligibility be reinstated. Newton has been cleared to compete without conditions. Undefeated Auburn plays South Carolina in the SEC championship game Saturday. With a victory, the Auburn Tigers will earn a spot in the BCS National Championship Game.
The NCAA won’t say its case is closed on Newton. However, its statement notes that reinstatement likely occurs “prior to the close of an investigation.” The NCAA says Auburn and NCAA enforcement staff have agreed that Newton’s father and an owner of a scouting service worked together on a pay-for-play scam. Two Mississippi State boosters have accused Cecil Newton and former Mississippi State player Kenny Rogers of trying to get cash payments for Cam Newton to play for the Bulldogs while he was being recruited out of junior college last year.
