Hello Sports Fans!!!!
I have decided to start this blog so that I can tell the world exactly how I think things should be in the world of sports. I must concede that there will be times that my topic strays from the sports world in favor of an opportunity to lash out at various other topics. Whether it is politics, the economy, the price of tea in China or any other topic, I will do my best to keep your attention and not be overly boring.
If you read about me and noticed the big script "A", it is obvious that I am a University of Alabama fan. I know, I know, some of you guys are already thinking, "Oh Great, not another one." Well, it is true that I love the University of Alabama and while it is some times a challenge, I do try to be objective when viewing things related to Alabama as well as other collegiate teams. I must admit there are certain people that can hit on certain topics that cause my objectivity to flee from my brain and be instantly replaced by a heart pumping crimson blood from the tips of my toes to the eyes behind my crimson colored glasses. That said, even in those instances, I usually can get myself grounded enough to return to an objective point of view.
Right now, the "Great State of Alabama" doesn't seem so great. It appears, after a quick glance through the state's newspaper headlines, that the normal people of Alabama have had their best interest put into the hands of one of the most corrupt state governments on record. When you hear all of the rumblings concerning former Governor Bob Riley, The Bingo 11, Colonial Bank and various other entities yet to be named, you can't help but be flabbergasted. It doesn't matter if you are an Alabama, Auburn or Idaho fan, the accusations being leveled at the aforementioned are nothing short of horrid. They range from bribery, fraud, kickbacks, clawbacks and anything else that could remotely be tied to greenbacks. The money being thrown around is OUR money, believe me it is.... One way or another, the actions of these corrupt people have cost all of us dollars. It ain't over yet either.
After investigations into corruption on the government level going back to 2004 by Federal Agents (who pays these guy's salaries? A hint? YOU DO!) all the way through to today, we have learned one thing. That is that there is no end in sight. Every time the FEDS turn over a rock it seems that four or five other snakes slither out. So, what is going on in the courtrooms today may be continuing for a very long time. I could go into great detail about the speculation of who did what and what it relates to, but I may save that for another day.
I could go into detail about how Colonial Bank is responsible for part of the worlds economic collapse but again, I think I'll save that for another day.
Now, everyone that reads this that is an Auburn fan is going to automatically assume that my intent is to drag them through the mud. That is not the case, but I would not be completely honest if I did not point out that were the shoe on the other foot; I probably would not be near as vocal about the same accusations being pointed at Alabama. Here is another thing that most Auburn fans will not understand... If all (or even 1/4) of the accusations being level at their beloved university are true, they should want it all stopped as well. In all honesty, it doesn't matter if it is Alabama or Auburn that is in trouble. Either one receiving negative publicity in the media gives the whole state a black eye. Here's the thing, I would much rather a normal guy have some say on the matters as opposed to the obvious Alabama bias that Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News may portray or conversely the obvious Auburn bias that could be plastered across headlines by Kevin Scarbinsky. Then we also have the state's most notable pot stirrer, Paul Finebaum, who flops sides more than an Alabama Bluegill on the banks of the Tennessee River. At least in this format, you will get the opinion from someone who is honestly trying to be objective.
Within the confines of the Alabama State lines, the hot topic of the day is Scott Moore. Mr. Moore is a Huntsville, Al sports radio host that has been on a statewide media tour touting the existence of some very incriminating tapes regarding Cam Newton and his eligibility to play for Auburn University during their Championship run this past season. Smoke has been billowing out of the plains for months regarding recruiting improprieties, pay for play schemes, grade changes to keep players eligible and a plethora of other accusations. According to Moore, he has heard tapes reported to be in the possession of Mississippi State boosters John Bond and Bill Bell. Moore reports that the tapes place Cam Newton in the room with his father Cecil Newton while the latter is shopping him to Bond / Bell. There has been some speculation as to if the tapes even exist. I believe they do. Here's why: I have friend that works for a University in the ACC. He told me more than a week ago that he had heard some of the tapes himself. Now, he is no audio analyst and would not know Cecil Newton's voice (or Cam's for that matter) from any other person, but he did say that if the tapes were authentic, they would be more than damning to Cam's "I didn't know defense." Basically, my friend backed up everything that Scott Moore has been saying on his radio tour. Furthermore, I have heard that other sports radio hosts have also claimed to have heard these tapes. I submit that we will hear these tapes within the time frame originally laid out by Mr. Moore. That would be sometime between now and March 15th, 2011.
In future posts, I will hit on some of the other accusations floating around out there as they pertain to the Government corruption case, the Colonial Bank case and Auburn University. It is a fairly tangled web and easy to get lost in. As to my personal opinion of Auburn University in all of this, I guess the first question I need to answer is: Do I think Auburn University is dirty? The answer is YES. I must clarify though that I do not think everyone at Auburn is dirty, nor do I think there was anything that could be done to stop it shy of what is currently going on in the Alabama court system. While my opinion is just that, an opinion, I must say that the sheer volume of accusations coming from so many different arenas forces me to think some things have been going on that should not have been down on the plains. I do not claim to be 100% correct and try to point out the differences in what is my opinion and what is fact. Feel free to ask me to clarify any statement that I make that is unclear. I will shoot straight. Will Auburn?
RTR
BamaSon25
If these tapes do truly exist, they will have to be authenticated by someone who knows how to analyze voice patterns to be able to link Cecil and Cam to a payola scandal. If they are authenticated, the NCAA will come down hard on Auburn for obvious reasons. Even if Auburn is eventually found guilty of paying Cam to play, it will not stop another school from getting involved in the same type of situation. I find this very puzzling and, at the same time, understand that it is a game certain individuals like to play. Getting caught and punished just doesn't seem to deter them. It will go on as long as the game of football(or any other sport for that matter) is played.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great voice of reason. This is one of the best written pieces I have seen on this topic. When people finally realize just how corrupt the politics are in this state and how all that ties in to Auburn University and Colonial Bank, it is truly going to stun many people. It seems that nothing deters Auburn from their shenanigans, and some of these are truly shocking. Hopefully, something will happen that will bring their house of cards crashing down once and for all. In the meantime, I say sit back and enjoy the show. The next few months are going to be a roller coaster ride.
ReplyDeleteBamaSon,
ReplyDeleteI believe this article covers the very tapes that they are going to play in the coming weeks are the very tapes that were played for the NCAA's Investigative Committee, not their Reinstatement Committee which is a totaly different Committee used for a specific purpose and that is ruling an Athlete eligible to participate in his/hers particular Athletics, back in September of 2010 when they met with the NCAA's Investigative Committee. Here is the part of the article that covers them and I will also supply the Link. Now I do believe we will find out as time goes by, maybe sooner than later because this fiasco/scheme or whatever may force the NCAA's hand at revealing some things that have not been revealed as of yet because of the NCAA's Investigative Committee investigation. Now will these tapes be a part of that we will have to waite and see just what ends up being revealed as the NCAA sees fit or gets leaked out. GNBM!
(quote)
ESPN Article of November 18, 2010, 7:29 PM ET
Bell: Texts Set Cam Newton Payments
Bill Bell, a Mississippi State booster and former player at the school, told the NCAA he received a text message from a man claiming to represent Cam Newton's father that outlined a payment plan designed to bring the quarterback to the Bulldogs.
Bell said former teammate Kenny Rogers told him Cecil Newton wanted money for his son to play at Mississippi State.
Bell told ESPN.com he also shared a series of voice mail messages from Rogers with the NCAA last week. Bell said Cecil Newton never specifically asked him for money, but that Newton was present during three-way calls in which Rogers discussed a pay-for-play scheme.
Bell said he told the NCAA that Rogers sent him a text message outlining a payment schedule. Bell said the text included a request for $80,000 the day after Cam Newton signed with Mississippi State, $50,000 30 days after that and another $50,000 30 days later.
"When he asked for it, it was like 'Bam!'" Bell said. "He told me this kid's dad is going to want money and the next day he sent me a text message. He didn't say anything other than 'This is what I want and I want it in three installments.'"
Bell said he kept Rogers' text message on his old cell phone, which was damaged by water, but he is currently trying to retrieve the text message through his cell service provider.
Bell also said he has recordings of several voice mail messages from Rogers, which he played for NCAA investigators. (quote)
LINK: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5818428