AUBURN, ALABAMA -- All Auburn coach Gene Chizik would say Wednesday about Cam Newton is that the star quarterback will start for the second-ranked Tigers against Georgia on Saturday.
Chizik declined to answer questions about an ESPN report that Newton told a Mississippi State recruiter that his father wanted him to go to Auburn because "the money was too much."
Citing unidentified sources, ESPN reported late Tuesday that Newton and his father, Cecil, each had a phone conversation with a Mississippi State recruiter and acknowledged a pay-for-play arrangement.
Chizik offered a passionate defense of Newton on Tuesday, calling a report about cheating accusations when Newton was at Florida "pure garbage."
Cleveland Browns rookie cornerback Joe Haden said Newton isn't worried about the allegations being leveled against him. Haden lived with Newton for 1 1/2 years and considers his former roommate when the two were at Florida his best friend.
Haden spoke to the Heisman Trophy hopeful on the phone for an hour on Tuesday night. Haden said Newton, who has been accused of cheating while he was with the Gators, "is not letting this stuff get to him too much. He said, 'Joe, I got a plan and everything is going to work out for the best.'"
Haden believes Newton is only being targeted because he's playing so well this season.
Friday
February 7th, 2025
8:37AM
