Bill Bell Says He Got Payment Plan For Cam Newton; McGregor Denies Involvement

And now we have the first claims of some sort of documented proof in the Cameron Newton investigation, according to ESPN’s latest report.

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 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 says the cell phone with the original text messages on it were damaged, but he’s trying to retrieve them. Auburn better hope the proverbial dog ate them; if there are text messages like that floating around, it could be curtains for Newton’s eligibility.

Not that Bell’s current packet of proof wouldn’t be enough, if he can somehow prove that Newton was on the line when Rogers and Bell talked business. At this point, any kind of evidence that doesn’t support Auburn’s case is not good evidence, as even Cecil Newton doing this without his son knowing it could endanger Newton’s eligibility.

It’s never a one-story day in the Cam Newton saga: We either get nothing or we’re hit with a deluge of information within a few hours. So perhaps the TMZ report earlier today, which said that FBI agents involved in the investigation were asking questions about a related political bribery case, should have been a tip that more was coming.

On that front, Auburn booster Milton McGregor has issued a statement about his role (or lack thereof) in the Newton case. Keep in mind that McGregor has been charged with bribing state politicians in Alabama.

Mr. McGregor has never been asked to provide money for any recruitment or compensation of any current or perspective student athlete including Cam Newton at Auburn or any other school, and has never provided any type of compensation in that regard period no exceptions.

But he also wants you to know:

As a proud supporter of Auburn University Mr. Mcgregor wants it known that he does cheer loudly for Cam Newton and thinks he is the best athlete in college football.

Good for him.