NEW: Rogers Admits Texts Were "Stupid Decision", Newton Attorney Speaks...

Embattled MSU alum/agent Kenny Rogers admits that he made "a stupid decision" when he sent Bill Bell a text of Cecil Newton's alleged payment plan to make sure Cameron Newton would attend Miss State.

Doug Zeit says Rogers sent the text after Cecil Newton told him to do it. Zeit says Rogers sent the text to Bill Bell requesting the 80/50/50 plan we talked about yesterday.

Zeit, however, also says no money ever changed hands.

Thus, the rub... or one of them...
What's that old question our mothers used to ask us about jumping off a building...???

The Newtons' family attorney, George Lawson, told Atlanta's WSB-TV that he is "one million percent" certain Cam Newton - who signed with Auburn - did not take any money. Lawson says if Cecil Newton discussed money, his son "knew nothing" about it.

The HQ admits that while that may be all fine and good, Cameron Newton's eligibility may still be in question by the letter of the law if Cecil Newton can be found to have solicited the moneys in question from MSU.

Here's the interview Secret Squirrel, aka Auburn grad Mark Winne, had with Lawson.
It's Winne at his best...

More later... we have more to talk about...

DEVELOPING: Bell Texts Allegedly Set Newton Payment Plan

((HT: ESPN/Forde, Low, Schlabach))

According to the three-headed monster at the four-letter, Miss State mega-booster Bill Bell received a text from someone claiming to represent the interests of Cameron Newton that laid out a payment plan to securing Newton's services for the Bulldogs.

Bell, apparently, told this to the FBI when interviewed by them.

The man in question is believed to be Kenny Rogers...

During an alleged three-way telephone conversation, Rogers laid out the terms to Bell with Cecil Newton on the line as well. Newton, however, to Bell's recollection made no inferences or demands.

From the article:

"[Cecil Newton] didn't come out and say, 'I want $180,000,'" Bell said. "He inferred it and talked about it, but not directly. Kenny would talk about it in front of him, and [Cecil Newton] never corrected him or said, 'No, that's not what we're doing.'"

The text message claimed that Cecil Newton was requesting $80,000 the day after Cam Newton signed, $50,000 30 days later, and another $50,000 30 days after that. Bell admits the text messaged was saved on a cell phone that was damaged by water. He's trying to have it retrieved by the cell phone provider.

Bell had other conversations with Cecil Newton where Newton intimated that it would take more than the perceived Newton-Mullen kumbaya to get the QB to play in Starkville. Bell says he's coming forward to reiterate the idea that MSU did nothing wrong in the recruitment of Newton...

The HQ would like to add that while that may not necessarily be the case, Bell isn't talking about how any of this information came to light in the last few weeks, either.

That whole "breaking federal laws" thing...

Both Rogers and Bell are admitting that this is strictly having to do with the relationship Cecil Newton had with MSU. Auburn is not in play, and neither knows ((or seemingly cares)) whether or not Auburn has done anything wrong in bringing Cameron Newton to campus.

More when we know more...

Thursday Newton Update: Rogers Still Says Newtons Wanted Cash, SEC Didn't Get MSU Info

((HT: ESPNDallas/KESN-FM))

In direct contradiction of an interview a week earlier on KESN-FM in Dallas, Kenny Rogers now says that Cecil Newton was asking between "$100,000 and $180,000" to make sure that Cecil's son, Cameron, would decide to go to school in Starkville after his time at Blinn ((TX)) Junior College.

In conversations, Kenny Rogers said Cecil Newton told him "it's not gonna be free this time." The first time they hooked up was after the 2008 season.

Rogers said he only was involved with Cecil Newton in regards to Mississippi State.

Rogers said at the 2009 Egg Bowl, Newton asked him: "What do you think is going to happen? You think it's going to go through?"

Rogers said he was referred to MSU booster Bill Bell. Rogers said he left Bell a telephone message telling him he was with Cecil Newton, who wanted to know if the deal was going to happen.

Bell, obviously, has not commented publicly on the allegation.
This is the first we've heard of him...

Rogers said he didn't know if Cam Newton knew about the pricetag allegedly on his head, and that he did not meet Cam Newton until that game in Mississippi.

Here's the interview between Rogers and ESPN 103.3's Ian Fitzsimmons...


Also, the Southeastern Conference notified any and all folks willing to listen that they did not get any second notice from Mississippi State about any alleged violations they were bringing to light during the Newton investigation.

John Zenor of the AP:

SEC spokesman Charles Bloom said Wednesday evening that there was also no mention of the reported conversations in either of the school's reports to the league.

So, then the four-letter reporting was wrong on the last few days...???
And the HQ is still wondering which version we are supposed to believe- Schad or Forde-Low-Schlabach...???

Something doesn't smell right with Cam Newton allegations....

Cam Newton/Courtesy: TheBirminghamNews

The more this story plays out, the more it just doesn't sound or feel right. The allegation...that Auburn Quarterback Cam Newton had someone shopping him around to SEC schools; the puzzle pieces don't fit.

We don't discount reports that alleged player recruiter Kenny Rogers (no, not the gambler) made a call to his old friend at Mississippi State, John Bond and that Newton came up. However, Rogers vehemently denies it.

As for Auburn, OSG Sources with knowledge of their internal investigation tell us "Auburn is not involved in any of this". "We have know reason to believe that there is any problem with Cam and his eligibility"

For some background on the the high standing the Newton family is held, read this story from AJC.com RIGHT HERE

The other strange twist here, Urban Meyer's name is being brought up as the "Source" for the original ESPN.com story. Allegedly, it came from a rumored conversation between Bond, Miss. St. Head Coach and Meyer disciple Dan Mullen and Meyer. Supposedly, Bond and Mullen made Meyer aware of the Rogers offer and told him they reported it to the SEC. Meyer...allegedly was furious and supposedly said he'd make sure the illegal recruiting got out in the media.

We don't buy that. We can't however rule it out. Why would Meyer do that? The only reason that makes any sense is if Florida got somehow to the SEC Championship game and faced Auburn that he wouldn't want to face Newton, but that doesn't make sense either...does it?

Here is some more background from AL.com RIGHT HERE

No, here is what we think happened. Rogers...for whatever reason made the call. We have no reason to believe that Bond is making that up. Rogers, we believe is a part of the sorted underbelly of college recruiting that we've discussed so frequently. He'll get his.

We think the victim in all of this is Newton. Could we be wrong? Sure. Would it be possible that he shopped himself to schools? Yeah. Do we think it happened this time? No. In fact. As of right now, no rules, at all...have been broken. There is no indication....anywhere that Mississippi State did anything wrong. There is no indication....anywhere....that Auburn did anything wrong. And there is no indication...anywhere that Cam Newton...or anyone in his family did anything wrong. 

Here is some sound with Newton after Auburn's homecoming game against Chattanooga.....Again...much thanks to Al.com/The Birmingham News:

Cam Newton on fan support, Auburn's win