USC football: NCAA responds to criticism over Cam Newton ruling

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The NCAA has been torched by many national college football columnists and fans since its announcement Wednesday that Auburn quarterback Cam Newton was reinstated despite a rules violation by his father.

USC Athletic Director Pat Haden, whose program was hit with sanctions, in part because Reggie Bush’s parents accepted improper benefits, had told the Times he was surprised by the NCAA’s decision.

‘In the Reggie Bush case, when the parent [did] something inappropriate the kid and the school suffered,’ Haden said.

On Thursday, NCAA President Mark Emmert released a lengthy statement that began, ‘We recognize that many people are outraged at the notion that a parent or anyone else could ‘shop around’ a student-athlete and there would possibly not be repercussions on the student-athlete’s eligibility.’

Later, under the heading ‘One size does not fit all: Differences between eligibility and investigations,’ Emmert wrote:

‘The NCAA looks at each student-athlete eligibility decision based on its merits, because no two are identical. In the Cam Newton reinstatement case, there was not sufficient evidence available to establish he had any knowledge of his father’s actions and there was no indication he actually received any impermissible benefit. If a student-athlete does not receive tangible benefits, that is a different situation from a student-athlete or family member who receives cash, housing or other benefits or knowingly competes and is compensated as a professional athlete.’

Emmert’s entire statement can be found here.

--Gary Klein