I Would Use a Clever Cam Newton Line, But They Have All Been Taken

How many unnamed sources does it take to unscrew a Heisman frontrunner? One could not complete the task. Two could not help, and, from there, they began to come in heaps.

Cam Newton, the unlikely face of college football, has brought to light a growing problem in sports, people’s disdain for certain success, and the case for an undetermined Heisman.

However this case finalizes, one thing is for certain. Cam Newton is by far the best player in college football this season. Now that I have pleased the Auburn fans that may be reading this, let me also say that Auburn is a .500 team at best without Newton.

I had recently dismissed this idea saying that Auburn still has a fair front seven defensively, as well as a good set of skill players. Still, the more Auburn plays; the more evident it becomes that Cam Newton is this team.

Although Dyer and McCalleb provide a solid, balanced running attack, their yards are due largely in fact to zone read plays, and Newton runs it like a genius. As confused as the CBS cameramen are at covering the ballcarrier, defenses look the same. Cover the run, and Newton will ultimately beat you with pinpoint accuracy in the passing game, which has been ever-evolving since the beginning of the season.

So let’s take a look at the three spheres in this situation.

The Growing Problem In Sports

Over the last several years, college athletes and agents have had a very promiscuous relationship. It is promiscuous in the sense of monetary gifts and other gifts that include cars, houses, and other wants.

As the situation with agents has become more prevalent, colleges have now been thrown into the mix through accusations of boosters and athletic administration paying players as well.

The Cam Newton situation grew from its roots in Starkville, Mississippi, where all seemed ripe for the Bulldogs to nab Newton out of Blinn Junion College in Texas. All of the sudden, despite the infamous picture of Cam Newton displaying the illustrious Magic Johnson smile while ringing the infamous Miss. State cowbell, Newton’s plans changed to Auburn.

Now, a year in advance, facts are finally being leaked to the public. Kenny Rogers, a former football player for Miss. State stated that Cecil Newton, Cam’s father and the stated ‘decision maker’ when it came to college, stated that it would take between $100,000 and $180,000 to convince his son to sign a scholarship to Miss. State. Also, Cecil Newton claimed that his son never knew about the monetary exchange.

The story takes a very vague and twisted path as Kenny Rogers, John Bond, and Bill Bell, all boosters for the university, were all involved in a seemingly three way hit-and-run attack to obtain Cam Newton with each of them explaining their own similar but different sides of the story.

One thing is for certain, the FBI is on the case as of now, and the public can expect some kind of hard evidence or no evidence in the future.

Although it may be a supposedly common theme in college football, the problem is growing or rather the public is not aware of the severity of the problem. If Cam Newton did not have any knowledge of the events if true (which I find hard to believe), Cecil Newton is also the figurehead for a problem in parenthood. What parent sells their child knowing that the repercussions could be damaging to his/her career?

Disdain for Certain Success

One question that really bothers me is why are these allegations coming out so late into the football season and Heisman race as well. Why were they not reported during the summer, or perhaps at the beginning of the year?

Rumor has it that the NCAA has been checking in on Cam Newton and his payments like every other athlete in the country, but they did not have enough to show any concrete evidence. I think that the pay-to-play deal would have never been released had Cam Newton and the Auburn Tigers had a mediocre season that seemed present after the close victories to Miss. State, Clemson, and South Carolina.

Personally, I believe nothing would have ever been presented because of the danger that this situation presents to Miss. State. If Cam Newton goes down, Miss. State also has a chance to fall to NCAA violations.

Furthermore, the University of Florida, Newton’s old school, released information saying that Cam Newton had placed his name on another student’s paper as well as purchased a paper off the Internet when asked to replace the original. Following a stolen laptop charge and an ‘alleged’ meeting with Student Council, Newton transferred to Blinn College and avoided a possible expulsion from Florida.

Florida and Mississippi State both would have most likely never released this information if the Tigers were 6-5 right now. While Mississippi State’s allegations could have serious consequences, Florida seems to be the bitter team who is just out to ruin the reputation of Cam Newton. Through ‘character assassination,’ Florida’s allegations hold no true meaning as in the future of Cam Newton and NCAA violations.

Case for an Undetermined Heisman

Then, there is the question of the Heisman. Clearly the frontrunner in this year’s campaign, Newton now has the shadow of these allegations and the ghost of Reggie Bush breathing down his neck.

Following the removal of Reggie Bush’s Heisman trophy, this is the first incident that involves suspected allegations during the Heisman run. The voters have stated that they would still vote for Cam Newton if the voting was held today, but with more weeks to come, this mindset may change if further evidence is produced.

Newton has proved on the field that he is worthy of the Heisman, but these off the field issues may keep him from winning the trophy. It is strange considering that the trophy is designated to the best player in college football.

Conclusion

That is basically the Cam Newton situation in a nutshell to the best of my knowledge and research.

Honestly, Auburn is stuck between a rock and a hard place. The question at hand is would Auburn rather risk a national championship this year or program stability down the road.

That question will be determined by whether or not Cam Newton is, forgive the redundant pun, ‘sCam’ Newton.