Cam Newton’s Heisman is a victory for fact over suspicions
Auburn's Cam Newton won the Heisman Trophy by a wide margin, but 105 voters chose to leave him off their ballot. (AP photo)
(Updated: 9 p.m. Saturday)
The problem isn’t just that some turned Cam Newton’s Heisman run into a morality play. The problem is how we’re judging morality.
His father tried to pimp him to Mississippi State for cash. So is this was supposed to be a vote for Cecil “Huggy Bear” Newton? Is a Heisman vote suddenly not for the student-athlete but for his father, mother and maybe third cousin? Because if that’s true, clear the trophy case. Start with last year’s winner, Mark Ingram, whose father has been in jail for most of the last 10 years for money laundering and bank fraud.
Cam Newton purchased a stolen laptop when he was at Florida, then panicked and threw it out the window when he heard police footsteps. Big mistake, for which he paid a price (public humiliation).
There have been stories of him being on academic probation at Florida. Sorry, but does this put him in some exclusive company in major college athletics that I’m not aware of?
As someone who makes his living in the world of opinion, it nonetheless astounds me how opinion so often trumps fact today.
Cam Newton won the Heisman Trophy Saturday night. Maybe you don’t like it but it was the only choice that made sense.
Newton’s 2,263 points were far head of the next closest competitor, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck (1079). But 105 voters out of the 886 returned ballots left Newton off their ballots. For the holier-than-thou voters who want to point to the word “integrity” in the Heisman’s mission statement and yell, “Aha!” — fine. The laptop incident and academic issues at Florida two years ago at the age of 19 prove that Newton is flawed. Welcome to a very large club.
Warrick Dunn, here delivering a new home to Janice Cantrell, is a pretty fair judge of character. (AP photo)
Question: Do Heisman voters hold every candidate to that standard every year, or is this just a new policy of theirs?
But to those who chose not to vote for Newton for the Heisman based on what they think he knew or they think he did or they think he took during recruiting, I would suggest they try peddling that in a courtroom and see where it gets you.
“They’ve done their investigation and the NCAA says he’s in the clear right now,” Warrick Dunn said Friday. “If they say he’s eligible, he’s eligible. People need to just let it go. He deserves whatever he gets.”
Dunn, the former Falcons running back, didn’t win the Heisman when he was at Florida State (he finished fifth in 1996). But he’s in New York with Newton this weekend to accept the Heisman Humanitarian Award for his long-standing.
“Home for the Holidays” program and the work of his foundation.
Few athletes in history have commanded as much respect on and off the field. So his opinion carries some weight.
When asked about Newton as an Auburn quarterback, Dunn said: “He’s resilient. Mentally tough. To be able to focus and stay on course during all of this says something about his character. He’s been able to separate the nonsense off the field with what he has to do on the field. It shows he’s strong mentally.”
As for Newton’s Heisman candidacy, Dunn was bothered that it was even a question.
“They’re just not giving him his due,” he said. “You’re innocent until proven guilty. Most of this is about public opinion, not facts. People want the perfect student-athlete. There are no perfect student-athletes. When I went to college, most of us didn’t even know if we were breaking rules. What if somebody talked to us or gave us a ride or bought us a meal? We didn’t know. I think a lot of what’s happening to Cam Newton just goes back to the Reggie Bush thing [when he had the trophy taken away for NCAA violations].”
Newton overcame his early problems. He plays with pure joy. He lifted a college program like few ever have. He’s one bowl game away from completing arguably the greatest season ever by a college player. He has endured the darkest of clouds hanging over his head, beating Georgia just after the scandal broke, Alabama on the road after it mushroomed and then South Carolina in the SEC title game.
If evidence should come out that Newton knew something or took something, the argument changes. Take away the award. A lack of integrity will be confirmed.
It’s not an ideal situation, but it’s better than the alternative of disqualifying somebody on a hunch. We don’t convict people when we think they might be thinking of robbing a bank. That’s not enforcing morality. It’s a presumption of guilt.
– By Jeff Schultz
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681 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
December 10th, 2010
9:16 pm
Randy — Awful analogy. But if it’s about evidence, or lack thereof, then it’s about evidence (or lack thereof).
Jeff Schultz
December 10th, 2010
9:17 pm
Thanks Brad.
Jeff Schultz
December 10th, 2010
9:17 pm
Thanks Not Disappointed.
Jeff Schultz
December 10th, 2010
9:19 pm
Thanks Jackets 2010.
Jeff Schultz
December 10th, 2010
9:20 pm
Thanks, ‘ol balls coach (OK, that sounded strange).
Jeff Schultz
December 10th, 2010
9:20 pm
Old Dawg — Yes. I’ll see if I can fix the contest for you.
Jeff Schultz
December 10th, 2010
9:21 pm
Mike Adams — Congrats you have the dumbest comment I’ve seen so far.
Jeff Schultz
December 10th, 2010
9:23 pm
Falcons Sorry — And this blog has to do with Michael Vick/Matt Ryan . . . why exactly? (By the way. Don’t type your comments in caps. It’s really stupid.)
Jeff Schultz
December 10th, 2010
9:26 pm
Atlvol55 — I’ve stated it before and I’ll repeat. If he’s guilty and evidence is found, the award should be stripped. But we’re not at that point yet.
Jeff Schultz
December 10th, 2010
9:29 pm
Rob — Thanks for the perspective.
Jeff Schultz
December 10th, 2010
9:30 pm
Benjamin — Thank you, kindly.
Jeff Schultz
December 10th, 2010
9:35 pm
Bug Zapper — I find it interesting that so many Georgia fans are taking that position. Here’s my response. The criticism of Richt and many of his players getting in trouble is about just that — MANY of his players getting into trouble — ridiculous numbers of players getting into trouble. It’s not the occasional 19-year-old doing something wrong. It wasn’t about Washaun Ealey’s hit and run. It was about Washaun Ealey’s hit and run being one of 12 arrests since spring (or whatever the number was).
Rob
December 10th, 2010
9:35 pm
Cecil tried to shake down MSU and Cam was very aware of it, plain and simple. The simple fact is a program like MSU, Vandy or Kentucky would have to pay to get Cam. Otherwise Cecil would send his to a program like Auburn, Alabama or LSU type program. Everybody says well he didn’t get paid but it is worse to try and solicit money from a low level program and if they don’t pay he will go to a higher level football program.
Jeff Schultz
December 10th, 2010
9:35 pm
GT4ever — Cam Newton=OJ. Brilliant. (Sarcasm)
Jeff Schultz
December 10th, 2010
9:37 pm
Bug Zapper — If Zach Mettenberger was clean next 3 years and turned into Heisman candidate, I’d have no problem with it.
Something smells fishy
December 10th, 2010
9:49 pm
I don’t know if he is guilty or innocent and neither do you. However. if his father is guilty of some crime I definitely believe he knew about it. Two people of low morals that are that close would not have any secrets from each other. If his father is guilty then he is guilty. Anyone believing differently is outright naive or stupid –take your pick. And another thing, if you believe that the SEC and the NCAA would pursue this matter right now then you have your head in the sand. There is too much big money that would be lost if a SEC team is not in the NC game. That is why the SEC said it would be up to the team to investigate. The NCAA will not pursue right now because they don’t want a TCU – Oregon matchup. Who would watch but the very hardcore fans. No interest in this matchup. Remember the protection the SEC officials gave Fla and LSU in recent years (Fla-Ark, LSU-GA among others. This league and the NCAA are crooked. Big money rules. Good luck to Cam and his father if they are innocent but if one is guilty then both are guilty.
ALMA
December 10th, 2010
9:51 pm
I’m so sick of Cam Newton and his wrongdoings, for which he is totally forgiven by the AJC, that I have found a much more enjoyable hobby. I now listen to Christmas carols, watch Cash Cab and Two and a Half Men, and just laugh that I once thought it was important to keep up with these silly blogs. Oh yes, I do occasionally read this garbage (like people buy National Enquirer at the grocery store) but have to come to realize that the more riled up they can make the readers, the better.
Cam and his holier than thou Dad are basic criminals and will have their “Come to Jesus Day” soon.
The AJC is ridiculous to honor him as if he has done nothing wrong at Florida or Auburn.
Jerry
December 10th, 2010
9:53 pm
Voting for Newton is wrong. Newton & his family have both done things that are morally wrong. He is disqualifed on moral grounds.
At Florida: rumors of theft & cheating–suddenly leaves Florida to go to Junior College?
After Junior College, choose Miss St. verbally, then suddenly changes decision to Auburn, FBI says Dad did ask for money from Miss State?
No brainer.
It’s not about who’s the best athlete, wrong question.
It’s about is it right or wrong.
And it’s wrong to vote for Cam Newton.
ALMA
December 10th, 2010
9:54 pm
Schultz, if you have children I bet you run a tighter ship than your mouth runs. You are just WAY too forgiving.
Jerry
December 10th, 2010
9:55 pm
P.S. If Newton’s family is innocent, why has Newton not been answering questions? Why has dad not been to ESPN awards & Heisman awards?
Rod
December 10th, 2010
9:55 pm
What does this have to do with UGA fans? Other than they are part of the 99.9% of America that believes Cam was aware his father solicited money from a lower level sec school to get his son to go there.
ALMA
December 10th, 2010
9:57 pm
Hey Schultz,
Since you are the know-all, was that Cecil Newton who kept hugging Cam when he came off the field last Saturday at the SEC Championship game? I thought he was playing a behind-the-curtain role.
Jerry
December 10th, 2010
9:59 pm
Jeff-
Do you feel Newton exemplifies the first sentence of the Heisman Trophy org, something about:
recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity.
Integirty?
ALMA
December 10th, 2010
9:59 pm
One more time and I’m out of here, Schultz, you should read the comments about the Newton situation on ESPN. They are NOT as forgiving as you and your AJC cohorts. The truth seems to prevail to a greater extent on that media.
Rod
December 10th, 2010
10:00 pm
ALMA, May have been Bo Jackson.
Jerry
December 10th, 2010
10:01 pm
On the Heisman mission statement, in their mission statement, it talks of
pursuit of excellence
WITH INTEGRITY.
ALMA
December 10th, 2010
10:02 pm
Rod, I saw Bo Jackson. Does he have BIG glasses, like the 80’s? If so, maybe he’s the surrogate father.
ALMA
December 10th, 2010
10:07 pm
@ Jerry – I guess when they read out the mission statement regarding the integrity issue at the trophy presentation, the announcer will smile and say in a weird voice, “NOT!” The Heisman will never be again what it once was. SAD…and it only cost $180,000.
Jeff Schultz
December 10th, 2010
10:18 pm
AU FAN — I’m having to delete way too many of your comments. Clean it up please.
Old Gold
December 10th, 2010
10:18 pm
Doesn’t deserve the award because of the character issue!
Army Dawg
December 10th, 2010
10:22 pm
What a hypocrite, If he played for Marc Richt you would have him in prison by now. I would like to know how your dad can shop you around to any college and you have no idea what is going on, like he had no input into which college he was going to. Give him the trophy, it just shows me the lack of integrity the sports writers have. Please, don’t take us all to be idiots.
always a silver lining
December 10th, 2010
10:23 pm
JABA JABA JABA What say you Aubies???
JuneBaby
December 10th, 2010
10:23 pm
Why is it necessary to berate and belittle people who haven’t done any harm to anyone on this blog. That’s right, the Newtons haven’t done any harm, in any way to the people blogging here! So why is it so necessary for all you people to be up in arms, making nasty asinine comments, and judgements over what might of, or might not of happened? Even if it’s proven that they’re guilty of something, how does it affect your lives? Is that just the nature of people who blog here, to hate for no reason other than to hate, or is there a more sinister motive? The same goes for Reggie Bush, O.J. Simpson, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, or any other person you hate, without once ever having met these people. Not just on this blog, but on all the other blogs where you people just pour out your ignorance on issues you have no stake in. It’s one thing to have an opinion on an issue, but to listen to you people makes me glad i don’t call any of you my friends. I’ll bet you talk about your so-called friends behind their backs in this same fashion. But you know, some of you are right, it’s not about black or white people per se, but about the evilness of your souls!!!
Whopper Dawg
December 10th, 2010
10:24 pm
At the end of the day, it comes down to whether Cam AND his family broke any NCAA and SEC rules, laws and by-laws. Without a doubt, his father violated a SEC by-law which makes Cam ineligible for any further participation in collegiate sports with any SEC school, whether Cam knew about it or not. Without a doubt. And here it is from another column:
Slive’s statement is an absolute joke, and so is Newton’s restored eligibility. Apologists for both have tried to find some wiggle room in the SEC bylaw that instead makes it clear Newton should never play another down of college football.
That bylaw reads:
“If at any time before or after matriculation in a member institution a student-athlete or any member of his/her family receives or agrees to receive, directly or indirectly, any aid or assistance beyond or in addition to that permitted by the Bylaws of this Conference… such student-athlete shall be ineligible for competition in any intercollegiate sport within the Conference for the remainder of his/her college career.”
It cannot be more clear cut. Obviously the admitted solicitation of $180K from MS St qualifies as agreeing to receive money. Cam without a doubt should be ineligible.
always a silver lining
December 10th, 2010
10:27 pm
Jeff did you ever discuss Slive, the SEC and the rules in the SEC yet? Will you?
Jeff Schultz
December 10th, 2010
10:30 pm
Always a silver lining — Not sure what specific your rules you’re referring to but I know Mike Slive said rule(s) would be added after this season to close “loopholes.”
Your FaceBook Friend
December 10th, 2010
10:44 pm
Unaware that his buddy was in custody, Perez assured Newton that cops, “did not have chit and if they did, he would be under arrest.” Perez advised that Newton should “keep denying it.”
Cam is used to lying, cheating and Stealing…LOL
Your FaceBook Friend
December 10th, 2010
10:47 pm
Every Au fan, Schultz, etc. Read what Whopper said. If you want to change the rules now…fine. But you must apply the rules as they were written so please STFU. Case closed.
sad
December 10th, 2010
10:54 pm
Pay all college athletes so that everybody can buy whoever they want! This is all about money! Has anybody seen how good God has blessed the Newton church?
ALMA
December 10th, 2010
10:55 pm
Duh, Schultz, Read what Whopper Dog said or go read ESPN, where they state the rule all the time. They are much more on top of this than the AJC sports writers. Way more on top…
Rod
December 10th, 2010
11:04 pm
Whopper Dawg, The sec bylaw has the words SHALL BE and not will be ineligible. “shall” is a direction but does not mean mandatory, depending on the context. The only loophole I see is the discrestion the words “shall be” gives Mike Slive to allow Cam to continue playing.
dap01
December 10th, 2010
11:05 pm
Does this paper have any integrity? Is there not one sports writer who will speak the obvious? Are we all just jock sniffers like ESPN?
dap01
December 10th, 2010
11:06 pm
Shultz, how does this compare to a motor scooter accident? You would be railing CMR, why not CUM and the Auburn staff? Hypocrit.
ALMA
December 10th, 2010
11:10 pm
@Rod – Aren’t shall and will synonyms??? You are really being silly here.
ALMA
December 10th, 2010
11:14 pm
@dap01 – get serious…you sound really stupid in your comment. If you think a motor scooter accident and bribing someone for $180,000 are comparable, you need to check yourself into a psycho ward.
ALMA
December 10th, 2010
11:16 pm
Sorry dap01, I thought you were the one doing the comparing. Time to go to bed or back to Cash Cab viewing.
Rock Perdoni
December 10th, 2010
11:18 pm
So… for all you moralists out there… certainly many male student-athletes have children out of wedlock.. which is certainly a high crime and misdemeanor against society and the child… should all those athletes be declared ineligible for the Heisman? Be careful, check the roster of your team before you speak.
AU Fan
December 10th, 2010
11:29 pm
“I’m having to delete way too many of your comments. Clean it up please.”
You know my comments are funny!
Rock Perdoni
December 10th, 2010
11:31 pm
Now that I’ve shut you hypocrits up, good night.
AU Fan
December 10th, 2010
11:33 pm
“I’m so sick of Cam Newton and his wrongdoings”
Then go arrest him.