Cam Newton: Heisman Favorite Can’t Win in 2010
Breaking ESPN story about Newton’s agent allegedly seeking big cash from colleges damages Heisman hopes.
Can Cameron Newton Rise above His Troubled Past to Claim the Heisman? That is the title of a post written two weeks ago (Oct 20th) where I discussed the irony–in light of the recent Reggie Bush/USC scandal–that an athlete with a dubious past may win the Heisman Trophy. Unfortunately for Newton, a breaking ESPN.com story that alleges his agent was going around seeking six figure dollars from colleges to deliver him to their doorsteps has turned the current runaway leading Heisman candidate into a doubtful winner.
Opening lines of ESPN.com story Cash sought for Cam Newton by Pat Forde, Chris Low and Mark Schlabach:
“During the height of star quarterback Cam Newton’s recruitment out of junior college last year, a man who said he represented Newton allegedly was soliciting a six-figure payment to secure his signature on a national letter of intent, ESPN.com has learned.”
I can only imagine that many of the Heisman old guard have their fingers crossed and heads bowed in prayer in hopes that this bomb shell story has legs, because they never wanted a Cam Newton type player to win the trophy in the first place. No, not now! Not right after Reggie Bush. And I can’t say that I blame them. The Heisman Trophy is the ultimate individual prize in college football—in all of sports for that matter. It represents too much in the world of sports to not have its champion at least outwardly appear to be a cut above the fray in character.
The Heisman’s image just took a major blow with Bush and now a strong possibility looms that Cameron Newton–who left the University of Florida in 2008 under a heavy dark cloud–could win enough votes to win the trophy is a sobering dilemma. But this latest allegation about his agent may have just given everyone an out.
True or untrue the allegation swirls too much smoke around an already shadowy figure like Cam Newton. Consequently, Newton’s on the field heroics in 2010 will not be enough to overcome his past off-the-field indiscretions. Not Now.
2008 Orlando Sentinel article detailing a police report that lead to Cameron Newton’s arrest:
Backup QB Cameron Newton arrested for stealing laptop, suspended from team
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Can Cameron Newton Rise above His Troubled Past to Claim the Heisman?
Heisman 2010
November 6, 2010 @ 4:34 pm
Right on point. What kind of message are we sending kids? Even if this latest allegation is unfounded, a player with this kind of histroy should not be handed the Heisman Trophy. That police report on the ’08 theft of that laptop at Florida sealed the deal for me. Didn’t really know all the details until I ran across this article on Auburn message board. Great info.