thefinishline 12/14/10
Does Cam Newton Deserve 2010 Heisman Trophy?
by Shawn Brown
Since Auburn QB Cam Newton was announced the 2010 Heisman Trophy recipient, there has been much speculation as to whether or not he should have won college football's most prestigious award - an award that supposedly doesn't just go to the best player during a given season, but one with integrity and good character on and off the field. So, I pose the question: Should Cam Newton have been chosen? For those who are not aware of the siutation, here is a snap shot over the past three years:
* In 2007 as a freshman, Newton earns backup spot to Tim Tebow at
Florida.
* On November 21, 2008, Newton was arrested for allegedly
purchasing a stolen laptop from a student and was subsequently suspended
by the team.
* All charges were dropped after he completed a court-approved
pre-trial diversion program.
* Cam Newton withdraws from Florida after Fall 2008 semester.
* In January 2009 Newton transferred to Blinn College in Texas
where he led his team to the 2009 NJCAA National Football Championship.
* Newton starts first game at Auburn September 4, 2010, against
Arkansas
* In October of 2010, the controversy around Cam's father begins.
Cecil Newton allegedly sought substantial sums of money from bigger NCAA
schools in exchange for Cam's transfer...all of this while Cam was
playing for Blinn College in 2009.
* In November, officials with the Mississippi State University
charged that Cecil Newton said that it would take "more than a
scholarship" to secure his son's services.
* Recruiter states Cecil Newton said it would take anywhere
between $100,000 to $180,000 to get his son to play at MSU.
* On December 1, 2010, Auburn declared Cam Newton ineligible but
had him reinstated. NCAA also reinstated Newton, citing they found he
had no knowledge of his father's scheme.
* On December 4, 2010, Newton led Auburn to the SEC Championship
over South Carolina.
* On December 12, 2010, Cam Newton wins Heisman Trophy.
With all of that going on in the last three years, the only thing that
Cam might have done wrong might have been purchasing a stolen laptop in
which the charges were dropped. Although this looks very much like the
Reggie Bush situation in which he (or his family) did take money, that
has yet to be proven. But there is the fear that like Bush, after a few
years in the National Football League, the verdict comes in and we find
out because of his father's actions, he actually did violate NCAA rules
in some way. What then? Keep in mind Auburn was not involved in any of
this. So I ask the question: Should the son pay for the sins of the
father?
Since Auburn QB Cam Newton was announced the 2010 Heisman Trophy recipient, there has been much speculation as to whether or not he should have won college football's most prestigious award - an award that supposedly doesn't just go to the best player during a given season, but one with integrity and good character on and off the field. So, I pose the question: Should Cam Newton have been chosen? For those who are not aware of the siutation, here is a snap shot over the past three years:
* In 2007 as a freshman, Newton earns backup spot to Tim Tebow at
Florida.
* On November 21, 2008, Newton was arrested for allegedly
purchasing a stolen laptop from a student and was subsequently suspended
by the team.
* All charges were dropped after he completed a court-approved
pre-trial diversion program.
* Cam Newton withdraws from Florida after Fall 2008 semester.
* In January 2009 Newton transferred to Blinn College in Texas
where he led his team to the 2009 NJCAA National Football Championship.
* Newton starts first game at Auburn September 4, 2010, against
Arkansas
* In October of 2010, the controversy around Cam's father begins.
Cecil Newton allegedly sought substantial sums of money from bigger NCAA
schools in exchange for Cam's transfer...all of this while Cam was
playing for Blinn College in 2009.
* In November, officials with the Mississippi State University
charged that Cecil Newton said that it would take "more than a
scholarship" to secure his son's services.
* Recruiter states Cecil Newton said it would take anywhere
between $100,000 to $180,000 to get his son to play at MSU.
* On December 1, 2010, Auburn declared Cam Newton ineligible but
had him reinstated. NCAA also reinstated Newton, citing they found he
had no knowledge of his father's scheme.
* On December 4, 2010, Newton led Auburn to the SEC Championship
over South Carolina.
* On December 12, 2010, Cam Newton wins Heisman Trophy.
With all of that going on in the last three years, the only thing that
Cam might have done wrong might have been purchasing a stolen laptop in
which the charges were dropped. Although this looks very much like the
Reggie Bush situation in which he (or his family) did take money, that
has yet to be proven. But there is the fear that like Bush, after a few
years in the National Football League, the verdict comes in and we find
out because of his father's actions, he actually did violate NCAA rules
in some way. What then? Keep in mind Auburn was not involved in any of
this. So I ask the question: Should the son pay for the sins of the
father?