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The Problem with this Years Heisman
The controversy that has followed Cam Newton has been unfortunate. He’s an incredibly gifted athlete and certainly deserves the Heisman trophy. I just think it is so unfortunate that it had to be overshadowed by a father who wasn’t thinking of anyone but himself. At least he stayed away for the ceremony.
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Good Morning from Omaha,
he may be the best college football player this year but the path he took to get to Auburn is dotted with a lot of question marks about his ethics. His dad and his offering to sell his sons services to the highest bidder is the mirror in which Cams behavior can be reflected.
Like father like son, I guess is how the saying goes. You aren’t supposed to hold the son responsible for the sins of the father. In this case it seems the son is just reflecting what he learned from his dad abut his football skills and life in general.
In five years IF the truth of the matter comes out I hope that the sport writers that voted for him will admit they made a mistake.Hopefully all this smoke is illusory and MR. Newton is what he appears to be.the BEST college football player in the country- which does not mean you are the best citizen in college in America.
Strive for excellence, nothing but your best.
Gene
You could substitute Cam’s father with OJ and the cartoon would still work!
I see this turning into another R. Bush fiasco in 5 years
Maybe Kim Kardashian will buy the trophy.
Dear Mr. Litton,
I know I wrote this to you in an e-mail but I feel it’s too important not to say again publicly. In many way’s there is an irony that the high’s and lows of collee football was on display that Saturday when the heisman was awarded. The low was mentioned in your cartoon so I won’t need to touch upon it any further.
How ironic it is that just hours one of the great highs of college football took place. I refer to the Army-Navy game. The closest thing you ever heard about a scandal from any academy (Yes, I am including Air Force here) was the David Robinson debate if he would serve his duty or go straight to the NBA. These men (and I think of them as men no matter their age) play for the love of the game. When they are done they’re not going to sign multi-million dollar contrats to play pro ball. Instead they get (I’m guessing here) maybe $1000-$1500 a month to defend our country. Something more commendable than stopping a blitz, catching a pass, sacking a QB or even scoring touchdowns.
I know I’m coming across a bit more preachy than usual but being ex-military myself (U.S. Navy 1977-83) I feel these things with a strong passion. So I’ll get off my soapbox for now. Be well everyone.
Merry Christmas
All the best.
Louis
I wonder if in a few years will Cam have to return the trophy. Cam is the same as Reggie.
College athletes, especially football and basketball players, are asked to perform under the spotlight of fan and media expectations at a consistently high level (Triple that if they’re in the South or Midwest, where NCAA football trumps NFL in passionate following), avoid injury, and continue to pursue a degree in higher learning while also going through the same financial difficulties the rest of us who went to college go through…except NCAA rules also are incredibly strict on them taking part-time jobs while enrolled.
Some people go to college with substantial help from well-off parents and family, and some with the help of a steady job (like myself). The NCAA student-athlete must also put in work on the practice field and gameday – and spending substanial amounts of time away from class on road games. They do recieve room, board, tuition and books…and constant attention to their every move.
I’m not saying that college athletes should be paid outright, and certainly not in the boxcar lot amounts that have been mentioned Re: Reggie Bush, Brian Bosworth or Cam Newton: That would launch a wildfire that would wreck everything about college sports – if you think this past summer’s conference realignment and the current BCS frustrations are bewildering, imagine USC, Texas and Ohio State taking part in the athlete auctions that would follow.
However, many of these kids – as Mike Gundy reminded us, they are kids – are only able to afford school by the work – and it is work – they put in for their game in high school, and even before that. Something slightly extra can be done for the myriads of students who retire from their sport before their 23rd birthday.
I once roomed with a former NCAA D-I wrestler who said that when the team returned to their locker room after a home dual or tournament, $50 were put in everyone’s coat pocket. It was illegal, dishonest and unethical, but giving a student something to buy a CD with and take his girl out for dinner is hardly destroying the good name of amatuer athletics.