Will ‘Cam Newton Drive’ be intercepted?
Cam Newton might have more success getting a street named after him in Auburn. (AP photo)
While it might not be as bad as, say, Nick Fairley Boulevard, the proposal doesn’t sit well with some of the residents of the road. As critics have pointed out, even though Newton played high school ball at nearby Westlake High, he played college ball at Auburn and now plays for the Carolina Panthers, a division rival of the Falcons.
According to a story last week by the AJC’s Johnny Edwards:
Several longtime residents of south Fulton’s Scarborough Road are irked that the county wants to change their street name in honor of Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, who has family living there. At a public hearing last week, neighbors said it would cost them money to change their personal records, and that Newton, age 23, is too young to have a thoroughfare named for him. One woman invoked Newton’s theft arrest [when he was at Florida] and allegations that his father solicited money from a university recruiting his son.
South Fulton Commissioner Bill Edwards said personal attacks on Newton’s family aren’t warranted, that he’s a Westlake High alumnus who “beat the odds,” and if residents don’t want Cam Newton Drive, the name will stay the same.
The hearing will begin at 6 p.m. at the South Fulton Service Center, 5600 Stonewall Tell Road.
What’s your view: Change the street to Cam Newton Drive or retain Mr. Scarborough’s name?
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186 comments Add your comment
Najeh Davenpoop
July 24th, 2012
7:45 pm
I am a Cam Newton fan, but unless you are a war veteran and/or dead, you shouldn’t have a street named after you. And if your primary source of fame comes from sports, you shouldn’t have a street named after you, period. Save the street names for people who make a real difference.
Patrick Romano WAR DAMN EAGLE
July 24th, 2012
7:58 pm
Mike & Whatever,
Jealous MUCH, WAR DAMN EAGLE or WAR CAM EAGLE,
National Champs, 2010 When was UGA’S last NC???
Patrick Romano WAR DAMN EAGLE
July 24th, 2012
8:00 pm
Apart from the petty comments, my 2 cents, Agree It should be saved for War Veterans, Hero’s that have sacrificed their lives to save another-enuff said!!!
WDE
D man
July 24th, 2012
8:37 pm
Why are we spending tax dollars on this when we need road improvements so bad that our Government is spending millions on advertising trying to get us to vote yes for TSPLOST? Stop wasting our tax dollars on stupid stuff…
chris
July 24th, 2012
8:49 pm
My people kill me ….the boy has done something good and yall put him dwn. Im not from Ga but Im sure you have a Washington street which is named after a president known to own slaves and whip our ancestors ….Why dont yall boycott those streets also. No one is perfect and he got plenty of time to fix the wrongs from his youth.
Rick James
July 24th, 2012
8:53 pm
@James
Most of you people are ignorant. He deserves this honor first because he’s earned it. What notable accomplishment have you achieved? NONE. Most of you are small minded and jealous.
Walter Clyde Frazier is the greatest basketball player ever to come from Atlanta. He is a legendary NBA Hall of Famer. Do you think there is a street, school or a park named after him? NO. Why? Jealousy. Like Frazier, Newton will never be “good enough” for some of you people no matter what he accomplishes
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Jealousy has nothing to do with it.Walt Frazier was from Atlanta but he played for the Knicks.Bill Lucas was the first black general manager in baseball with the Braves and the name of Brownlee Rd in southwest Atlanta where he lived has not been changed.Hank Aaron lived on Lynfield Dr. during his time with the Braves but that street name has not been changed.Georgia Ave.in front of Turner Field was renamed for him “after” he retired. Nobody is jealous of Cam,he’s accomplished a lot.Just not enough.At this stage Eric Berry is a better choice simply because of what he does in the south fulton community.
TIM BUCK
July 24th, 2012
9:01 pm
What dumb ass would want their street named after a crook? A dumb ass family member I guess……..JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!
zeke
July 24th, 2012
9:27 pm
He is a cheater! Auburn should have gotten the death penalty for the payment they made to his Father or to his church, whichever! Eventually he will have to give back the Heisman for this criminal activity!
Shawn
July 24th, 2012
9:40 pm
Since when do morals, scruples or accomplishments have anything to do with naming roads in ATL? Ie Cynthia McKinney Blvd….etc etc etc.
Dorothy Scarbrough Howard
July 24th, 2012
9:44 pm
As a Scarbrough (yes, there are many ways to spell it) I say do not change the name of the road that represents my great great-grandfather. I don’t know who Cam Newton is and that, I think, says everything. Why change the name of a road that has been Scarborough Road for MANY MANY years to some kid that most people haven’t heard of?
Chuck Allison
July 24th, 2012
9:49 pm
There have been so many changes of Atlanta and Fulton County streets in the last 40 years that new maps should be issued every six months. Most have apparently been racially motivated. I guess it could happen again if the hispanics ever become the majority race there.
Rick James
July 24th, 2012
9:52 pm
@Dorothy Scarbrough Howard
As a Scarbrough (yes, there are many ways to spell it) I say do not change the name of the road that represents my great great-grandfather. I don’t know who Cam Newton is and that, I think, says everything. Why change the name of a road that has been Scarborough Road for MANY MANY years to some kid that most people haven’t heard of?
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I dont think the name should be changed but who’s ever heard of your great great grandfather?
Rick James
July 24th, 2012
10:00 pm
@Chuck Allison
There have been so many changes of Atlanta and Fulton County streets in the last 40 years that new maps should be issued every six months. Most have apparently been racially motivated. I guess it could happen again if the hispanics ever become the majority race there.
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Racially motivated??? I agree that there is just too much name changing but I dont understand your racially motivated comment. When Forest Ave was changed to Ralph McGill Blvd I rejoiced because Mr McGill deserved the honor and Nathan B.Forest who started the Klu Klux Klan did not..Yes I know he was also a confederate officer.And for those who dont know Ralph McGill was a long time editor of the AJC.
I HATE AUBURN
July 24th, 2012
10:28 pm
he has only played one year in the NFL and his daddy is still cashing the checks from Auburn.. GET REAL people did we name a street after George Rodgers or Fran Tarkington ?? GO DAWGS
I HATE AUBURN
July 24th, 2012
10:31 pm
Racist??? Did we not rename our airport after the big fat black Mayor???? God bless the carving on St Mtn and our heritage……
Rick James
July 25th, 2012
12:24 am
@I HATE AUBURN
Racist??? Did we not rename our airport after the big fat black Mayor???? God bless the carving on St Mtn and our heritage……
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No..His name was just added next to to the fat white one who by the way had already been honored by having a gorilla (Willie B.)named after him at Zoo Atlanta
I HATE AUBURN
July 25th, 2012
12:55 am
Ricky James my lil BOY dont you understand that Atl would not be the Capital of the south if it were not for Hartsfield and if they named an APE after a black man then we would really be racists. So shut your pie hole you A hole
I HATE AUBURN
July 25th, 2012
12:56 am
Oh By the way Jackson was a FAT ASS PIG
Scam is a loosah...
July 25th, 2012
6:59 am
I am confused – is this a redneck vs redneck or African American vs redneck debate? Hard to distinguish this across Failcant and Awbarn fans….you all look alike….family tree don’t branch much, huh?
Bob Avent
July 25th, 2012
7:46 am
We have got to stop naming things after people while they are still alive. There is no need for it. Look at the Paterno fiasco. If Penn State had waited until Paterno died do you think they would have put up a statue in his honor? Cam is too young and has a lot of living left to do before we honor him with something as simple as a street name. Maybe that would be incentive to keep his nose clean……
Bruce
July 25th, 2012
8:01 am
I hope he doesn’t replace a street named after a Confederate general or prominant slave owner, that would really hurt.
everlevel
July 25th, 2012
8:34 am
Name it “why can’t we all get along drive”
Hardhat
July 25th, 2012
8:49 am
Don’t name a street after someone until his full body of work is out there to be examined. I mean like in another 40 years would be fair. He and his dad already has a shady past. But then again Jackson was crooked and they named an airport after him. I am too young to remember Hartsfied I am sure he he was not totally above board what mayor was?
shankit
July 25th, 2012
9:47 am
A model student athlete. What did he major in at Florida,
the Jr. College and Auburn? When did he graduate?
commonsense
July 25th, 2012
10:43 am
Jose Canseco had a street named after him in Miami. That had to be renamed.
Lets wait
hard fact
July 25th, 2012
10:54 am
The plague of the slaves continues on America. Everyday more stupidity abounds.
Reg
July 25th, 2012
11:07 am
Yes, let’s honor a liar who did not even finish college that was given to him for free.
Scam Newton
July 25th, 2012
1:11 pm
The Scammer has a lot of time left in his left to screw up. And he probably will. Let’s be real, his father isn’t exactly a great role model.
Scam Newton
July 25th, 2012
1:11 pm
Left in his life****
swaggmaster
July 25th, 2012
2:23 pm
cammmmm newton is going to be a star i put money on it
Big Game James
July 25th, 2012
5:14 pm
Thanks ATL. When Matty “Ice” hasn’t got the lightly soiled birds anywhere don’t come down 85 knocking on Cam’s door.
CHi-Town BBaller
July 26th, 2012
5:38 pm
Looking at from the outside(not the south). There are parks and streets named after slave owners, but we have to be selective with Cam character. Did the Archie Manning tell San Diego his son wasn’t going to play for them? All, I forgot that, that’s different. No wonder most people with a brain love the NFL vs College football
Woody
July 27th, 2012
11:17 am
Name the road “Pat Dye Drive.” Anyway, Pat Dye played for Georgia.
tripledart
July 27th, 2012
11:17 am
Hey it worked for Cyntia Mckinney .And they already have a lot in common.
They both stole and have not given nothing back.
N. Patterson
July 27th, 2012
1:24 pm
911 operator need to be trained so the will know how to locate streets that’s been around over 30 years off Hyw 138. Use that time and money to try and keep these misguided people that will not work that’s going around kicking in doors. use the money to hire more animal control workers, There are only 4 to work Fulton Co. North to South. What is more important?
DODO
July 30th, 2012
6:16 pm
at some point, it will come out that his father did take money for Cam’s services and then what are all the neighbors suppose to do? Hold a parade for him?