Thursday, May 26th 2011, 1:30 pm
Originally Published: Dec 1, 2010 8:17 PM CDT
 </P>Surely we haven’t seen the end of the Cam Newton situation.  Are we to believe that a father and a third-party advisor can bid out the services of a high-profile recruit with neither the recruit nor his solicitors paying a penalty?  Dangerous territory if so.</P> </P>The NCAA said that the conduct of Cecil Newton was “unacceptable and has no place in the SEC or in intercollegiate athletics."  So, why no penalty?</P> </P>Let’s hope that this is just the beginning of the story.  Perhaps the NCAA backed off and the FBI, which has been involved in investigating an Auburn booster tied to a bribery ring, will get more heavily involved.</P> </P>The NCAA rulebook is thicker than the concrete that makes up the walls surrounding Jordan-Hare Stadium.  Is it possible that Cecil Newton found a loophole and the NCAA is so embarrassed that it hopes the whole scandal will go away?  Something tells me no.</P> </P>Either way, bet on another 100 pages of NCAA red tape to be added to that rulebook.  </P> </P>The only saving grace to Wednesday’s announcement was this line, “based on the information available to the reinstatement staff at this time."  That may indicate that later in time they will discover something that warrants a penalty.  </P> </P>But for now Cam Newton can play against South Carolina, pick up a Heisman Trophy and then win a BCS Championship.  And then later we may all be asked to forget that any of it ever happened.</P> </P>Wednesday’s NCAA ruling leaves me with more questions than answers.  But will we ever get any?  </P> </P> </P><BR/>May 26th, 2011
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