And the Heisman Goes To…

If you’ve watched even a few college football highlights this year there is a good chance you’ve seen Cam Newton make a play (or 5).  He is far and away the best college football player in the land.  But there’s a chance (however slim it may be) that he may not be on stage to receive the Heisman trophy on Saturday night.  Why you might ask?  Two words…Reggie Bush.

Earlier this season, Reggie Bush returned his Heisman trophy after it became clear(er) that his family had accepted MANY benefits from a marketing firm.  Reggie’s mom and stepfather were alleged to have taken travel dollars, cars, and even a house in exchange for Reggie doing business with them when he left USC.  Reggie never did and they coughed up the info and after countless accusations and investigations Reggie gave back his award (and USC erased him from their football history) the first player ever to do so.

What does this have to do with Cam?  Well last week the NCAA ruled that Cam was an eligible player even though it is clear that his father solicited colleges for thousands of dollars in exchange for his son playing for them.  The NCAA claims that Cam is in the clear because he was not aware of these deals (insert “yeah right” face here).  So what happens 5 years from now when someone who’s palm wasn’t greased properly comes out with the real story.  What happens when we learn that Cam knew all about it?  Moreover what happens when they decide that what Cecil Newton did is no better than what Reggie Bush’s parents did?

Will voters be swayed by “what-ifs” and maybes?  With apologies to Kellen Moore, LaMichael James, and Andrew Luck if Cameron Newton’s name isn’t called on Saturday, its a travesty.  The Heisman trophy goes to the most outstanding player and any voter that makes a decision with anything other than that in mind should have their vote revoked plain and simple.

Its bad enough Cecil Newton has decided against attending the ceremony as he doesn’t want to be a part of the story.  Hopefully the story ends the way it should, with Cam accepting his award and thanking his father.