Cam Newton, Auburn cleared by NCAA

According to a press release issued by the NCAA, the Auburn quarterback was declared ineligible by the school Tuesday after “the NCAA concluded on Monday that a violation of amateurism rules occurred.” Wednesday, however, the NCAA announced that Newton has been reinstated and is immediately eligible to compete.

The news was not good for Cam Newton‘s father, however. The NCAA writes in their release that "according to facts of the case agreed upon by Auburn University and the NCAA enforcement staff, the student-athlete’s father and an owner of a scouting service, Kenny Rogers worked together to actively market the student-athlete as a part of a pay-for-play scenario in return for Newton’s commitment to attend college and play football."

Auburn has limited Cecil Newton’s access to the athletics program and Mississippi State has disassociated itself from Rogers. Rogers, a former MSU football player, reportedly solicited between $100,000 and $180,000 from coaches at his former school on the behalf of Cecil Newton.

"The conduct of Cam Newton’s father and the involved individual is unacceptable and has no place in the SEC or in intercollegiate athletics," SEC commissioner Mike Slive said in a statement. "The actions taken by Auburn University and Mississippi State University make it clear this behavior will not be tolerated in the SEC."