Andy,
If you have not already filled out your ballot for the Heisman trophy (as you mentioned in this column) I want to make a case for not voting for Cam Newton, despite the recent NCAA decision to declare him eligible for the remainder of season.
The primary reason why I feel Newton should not receive the Heisman is that had he been on a team not in contention for the national championship and/or if he was not the premier candidate for the Heisman trophy, he would have almost certainly been declared ineligible. Last year Dez Bryant was declared ineligible for simply talking to Deion Sanders. It helped that Bryant did not have any realistic shot at winning the Heisman (as you know, 99% of the time the winner is a QB or RB) and he was on an Oklahoma State team that had no chance at the national championship (ending the season at 9-4).
Meanwhile, Newton is allowed to go without penalty despite the NCAA fully admitting that his father did indeed try to solicit him for money. The NCAA claims Cam Newton was not aware of his father's actions. This is beyond flimsy, given the obvious nature of the relationship that exists between parents and children, especially when the child in question is in college. It's especially ridiculous given the widespread media coverage of Cecil Newton's heavy involvement in Cam's life, something symbolized nicely by this photo:
Clearly Cam Newton and his father are far from being in the sort of estranged father-son relationship that would be required for the NCAA's ridiculous claim to be true.
Furthermore, the Heisman Trophy is not simply about performance on the field. From the Heisman Trust's website: "The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity." Cam Newton, a person who left Florida after repeated instances of academic cheating, does not embody this aforementioned integrity. I recognize that many student-athletes are more likely to be athletes first, and students second if at all. But at the same time, I think it is an affront to the integrity of college sports, and indeed college in general, if someone who has repeated, well documented instances of cheating wins such a prestigious award. Not focusing or taking class seriously is something students, athlete or not, do across the country. Cheating is an entirely different and far more serious issue. Newton's transfer to Blinn College to avoid sanction from this repeated cheating is even more despicable. It sends a clear moral message, one that unfortunately might particularly resound with young children who follow sports, "If you get caught cheating or doing wrong, simply run away and avoid taking responsibility for the consequences of your actions. Once you're in the clear, go somewhere else where as long as you are successful, everyone will forget your past transgressions."Cam Newton does not have the integrity to win the award, and he should not even be playing in the upcoming SEC championship and whatever postseason game the Tigers end up in. From a current college student and a fan of sports, in particular college sports, I implore you to vote for another more deserving candidate.
Respectfully,
-Jason
