AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs says the allegations against Tigers quarterback Cam Newton are “unfortunate and sad” and reiterated that Newton is eligible both academically and athletically.
Jacobs said Monday the “rumors” seem designed toward “tearing down the reputation” of Newton, who Jacobs says has done “everything we’ve asked him to do.” Jacobs says discussing the academic records of a student violates federal privacy law and declined to disclose Newton’s academic history.
Foxsports.com reported Monday that Newton had faced possible expulsion from Florida for academic cheating before transferring to Blinn, a junior college in Texas. The report also says that Newton was caught cheating three times and was to appear for a hearing in front of Florida’s Student Committee during the spring semester of 2009.
