Meyer denies allegations of leaking Newton info

By Adam Silverstein
November 9, 2010

When ESPN reported last week that a man claiming to represent Auburn Tigers quarterback Cameron Newton asked the Mississippi State Bulldogs for $180,000 for his signature on a letter of intent during his recruitment from Blinn College, some media members and college football fans found a way to finger Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer as the main reason for the information being leaked to the media.

A full week has passed and FOX Sports, in an unrelated report, claims Newton left Florida at least partially due to being caught cheating in class on three occasions. Similar to last week’s reaction, some members of the media and plenty of fans have once again pounced on Meyer, claiming he provided the information sourced in the story.

Early Tuesday, Meyer emphatically denied through a University of Florida statement having any involvement. “Our entire focus right now is on preparing for our biggest game of the year against South Carolina,” he said. “For anyone to think that I or anyone on our staff may have leaked information about private student records to the media doesn’t know us very well. It’s a ridiculous claim and simply not true.”

Meyer also spoke with Pat Dooley of The Gainesville Sun about the both allegations. “Obviously it’s a joke,” Meyer said. “I don’t know anything about anything. I heard they’ve got me meeting with the agent and all that. I never met with anybody. It’s ridiculous.”

Unconfirmed Internet reports stated Meyer was a part of a conference call with Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen and former MSU QB John Bond and advised both men to speak with the the media about the alleged illegal recruitment of Newton.

The contention from some media members is that Meyer is angered at the success Newton has achieved since leaving Florida and is looking to bring him down. The coach denies that philosophy as well.

“We had a great relationship right until the time he left,” Meyer told the Sun. “Cam and I and his family always had a great relationship. I don’t know where this is all coming from, but it didn’t come from me. I know nothing about nothing.”

Photo Credit: Getty Images

20 Comments

  1. O-town Gator says:

    And in Urban I still trust. Some sleazeball seems to be getting a thrill out of creating this much of an uproar.

  2. Mr2Bits says:

    Meyer has no reason to attack Cam just like Cam has no reason to attack UF. Cam has publicly said, he wishes the season he is having was in our orange and blue and misses everyone at our program. I think most of this is coming from the NCAA investigation. Better hope Cam’s churches offering plate didn’t get deep pockets all of a sudden or this will be Bush push part two.

  3. JW says:

    I have no idea what Meyer’s motive would be in releasing this information. Jealousy? Really? The guy has won multiple national and SEC championships, and he’s angered because Auburn and Newton are having some success this year? (by the way their magical run will end the Friday after Thanksgiving when Alabama beats them by two touchdowns). The whole thing seems ridiculous. And why would he risk his reputation with recruits and their families by stooping so low? It’s really hard to believe that the same guy who goes out of his way to give kids multiple chances despite the constant shots he takes from certain members of the media, would leak this kind of information because he can’t handle a former player’s success.

  4. Mr2Bits says:

    Also like to add that all of this better be untrue for Cam or you will really start to see his season take a dive this week against UGA and especially against Bama. Seems like Bama or a team from the west would have more to gain by digging up and leaking some of this stuff. Who knows or cares if we will even see Auburn in ATL

  5. O-town Gator says:

    JW, apparently somebody has it in for Urban. Why that is, I can’t really figure out – perhaps they’re just jealous of him and the success he’s enjoyed since he’s been at UF, perhaps they feel a need to try and attempt to lower the boom on Gator football, or else it’s something more personal than any of us know. You’re absolutely right, though – this whole thing seems ridiculous. Both Urban and Gene Chizik have come out and said that there’s no substance to any of these allegations, and I believe both of them. Once again, some rumor-monger is likely to be left with egg on his face once the dust settles.

  6. KM says:

    I work with a guy that is from Auburn, he made an interesting statement regarding Lane Kiffin and several other coaches that tried to get Cam in the last final hours. We all know how much Lane Kiffin dislikes Urban for whatever reason… he would make an interesting “source” for the person that is trying to tie Urban into this nformation leak. I personally think all of this is really sad, the attacks on Cam and the subsequent attack on Urban. At the end of the day, none of this will matter, other than to damage a young man’s confidence.

  7. SaraGator says:

    This is a deflection created by Auburn fans because they know the story may be true – just look at their history.

  8. npgator says:

    Some of the people who blame Coach Meyer aslo attribute the attacks on 9/11 and gulf oil spill on him so I wouldn’t take too much stock in what these chowderheads say.

  9. Gatorbuc15 says:

    Like you all say, I doubt that Urban would be stupid enough or cynical enough to do this kinda thing.

  10. g8ter27 says:

    People generally get to hating winners. Meyer, Saban, Carrol, hell even Miles all are viewed as bad guys these days..so when people start hating you, you know you have made an impact on the sport.

  11. John S says:

    Come on now 99% this is coming from an in-state extremely bitter rival, and it ain’t Troy. They are going out of their minds with the rise of Auburn especially when they thought they had another NC wrapped up.

  12. ziggy says:

    g8ter27, You forgot the most hated of all… Steve Spurrier. Personally, I love him and think he is hilareous and a true icon of the sport, even if he’s on the other sideline these days.

  13. npgator says:

    Another thing is that if this guy who wrote the story could name Coach Meyer as the source this would be a much bigger story. In other words there is no way in hell because most writers like this guy would sell thier firt born for that infomration.

  14. O-town Gator says:

    NP, I agree with you on both points.

    Funny thing, but SOS once said that if others hate you, you must be doing something right. It never ceases to amaze me how envious others are of Urban Meyer and would do anything to try and destroy him.

  15. g8ter27 says:

    Very true Ziggy.

  16. armygator says:

    From my perspective, if Coach Meyer says he didn’t say it, so be it. But also, who cares if he said it or not, as long as what he said is true.

    From another website-
    He (Cam Newton) refused to discuss the cheating allegations.

    “I’m not going to entertain something that took place not three months, not six months, not a year but two years ago,” Newton said. “I’m not going to sit up here and say anything about it, whether I did or did not do it, because I don’t want to beat a dead horse talking about it. It’s not going to affect me any way, shape or fashion.”

    If he didn’t do it, he would say so.

    Notice that he never denies cheating, only stating that he won’t talk about something that happened so long ago.

  17. Drew 4 Orange & Blue says:

    Talk radio played Auburn’s president or AD’s statement and it was the same type of response that basically led you to believe it did happen but that’s over now……I wouldn’t put any money on Auburn beating Bama

  18. O-town Gator says:

    If anybody thinks Urban will let any attack on his character or false accusations roll off his back, they better think again. I’d be willing to bet that right now he’s REALLY pissed off. It’s another unnecessary distraction that we don’t need at a time like this preparing for an important game on Saturday, but when somebody is trying to smear one’s reputation with false innuendo for their own gains, that’s just low-class.

  19. Mr2Bits says:

    Army : I find it funny that he says it wont affect him in any way shape or form. Correct me if I’m wrong but if someone is expelled for cheating, won’t they be academically ineligible at their next institution? What are the NCAA’s rules on athletes that get caught cheating and transfer to avoid sanctions?

  20. Wingtee says:

    The problem and the reason the media hate Meyer is that he is preceived as a pompous ass. Also the incident that Meyer had with Fowler from the Orlando paper did not go over well with the media . So… From here on Urban will always be in the line of fire. As most of you note urban is the most despiex coach , coaching at the most hated school probably in America. Not a good situation as far as public relation.UF has always had issues withe the SEC. No doubt for many years the SEC and the fans will stick it to UF every time. I am not telling you an ything new

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