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Newton deemed eligible

Alabama fans who purchased "SCAM Newton" T-shirts should start looking for their receipts.

In a release made Wednesday, the NCAA ruled junior quarterback Cam Newton immediately eligible to play for Auburn.

Newton remains eligible for the SEC Championship game Saturday and has been cleared without any conditions.

The NCAA concluded Monday that a violation against Newton's amateur status occurred during his recruitment by Mississippi State.

Auburn declared Newton ineligible Tuesday and then requested his eligibility be reinstated.

According to facts agreed upon by both Auburn University and NCAA enforcement staff, Cecil Newton, Cam's father, worked with a scouting service during his son's recruitment by the Bulldogs. Cecil, along with the scout service, actively sought payment for his son's commitment to attend college and play football.

Auburn has since limited the access Newton's father has to the athletic department, and Mississippi State has cut ties with the individual involved.

"We are pleased that the NCAA has agreed with our position that Cam Newton has been and continues to be eligible to play football at Auburn University," Auburn University Director of Athletics Jay Jacobs said. "We appreciate the diligence and professionalism of the NCAA and its handling of this matter. "

ESPN.com reported Nov. 4 former Mississippi State football player Kenny Rogers, called former teammate John Bond and said he represented the Newtons.

Bond said Rogers requested a six-figure payment to secure the quarterback's signature on a national letter of intent.

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

Rogers is set to meet with representatives from the Mississippi Secretary of State's office Dec. 9 to discuss Newton's collegiate recruitment.

NCAA staff review each reinstatement case based on the specific facts on its own merits. Decisions are made based on a number of factors, including any circumstances presented by the university and also guidelines established by the Division I NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement.

These decisions are separate from the NCAA enforcement process and are usually made once facts about a student-athlete's actions are determined.

An attorney representing the Newton family, George Lawson, told WSB-TV of Atlanta Nov. 18 he was "one million percent" sure Cam Newton took no money during his recruitment.

"No money has been offered to Cam Newton," Lawson told WSB-TV. "Cam Newton [hasn't] asked for any money.

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