Auburn and Cam Newton Challenge College Football and America: The Real Beef

Leading the unheralded Auburn Tigers to a 12-0 perfect regular season is evidently not enough.  Bringing his beleaguered team from a 24-0 precipice against one of the elite programs in college football is also clearly not enough.  The lack of any proof that Cam Newton is guilty of any NCAA infraction that would jeopardize his eligibility at Auburn University is not enough.

It is becoming increasingly clear that many of Cam Newton’s greatest critics are concerned less about justice or fairness than in attacking the young man’s success or that of Auburn University.  If this were a matter of fair play, then evidence would matter.  That the critics care nothing at all about the lack of credible support for the allegations made against Newton but prefer to rely on message board speculation and stupendous leaps of logic based on flawed premises, we may safely conclude that Cam Newton’s situation is more akin to an accused terrorist than a college athlete. Some people want a conviction regardless of the evidence or lack thereof.

Where’s the Beef?

Where are the documents showing the financial transactions?  Where are the taped conversations involving Cam Newton or even his father?  Where are the text messages and voice mails supposedly left by the Newtons implicating them as clear participants in a par-to-play scheme? 

Who are the alleged Mississippi State “recruiters” who were involved in the two alleged phone calls and why were the calls not communicated to the SEC at the time of the initial report?  John Bond says he spoke with Kenny Rogers who claimed he was representing the Newtons but does Bond have any firsthand knowledge of the Newtons actually being involved in this matter? 

Bob Bell claims the Newton’s asked for money through Kenny Rogers but did he actually talk with the Newtons or is he again relying on the representations of a man who is known to have initially changed his story from flat denial to admission?

Really, as best as can be gleaned from scouring various news reports and interviews, the only identified person with alleged firsthand knowledge of Newton involvement is a known liar. 

Could there be more players in this drama?  Yes, there could be but since we don’t know them to exist, it is logically deficient to assume they exist.  The NCAA and the FBI are running investigations of a sort but their findings remain confidential.  However, does anyone really think the NCAA would not have told Auburn if they had sufficient evidence to conclude that violations had occurred AND that Newton’s eligibility at Auburn was certain to be revoked?

There is of course the unnamed source close to the Newton family that claims knowledge about the scandal but without knowing the family, how do we even know if they have actual access to the Newtons much less whether they heard what they are claiming?

Wrestling with Pigs Gets Everyone Muddy

FOXSports columnist and general muckraker Thayer Evans has questioned why Auburn and the Newtons refuse to speak about the matter to the press.  Clearly, Evans needs remedial instruction concerning handling legal matters.  The SEC bylaws direct schools to refuse comment about ongoing investigations.  Newton’s attorney has counseled him not to speak publically on the matter as well.  Only idiots ignore the advice of their attorneys.  Since Evans thinks the Newtons and Auburn should do so, he is by definition an idiot.

Further, why should Newton speak to the press?  Knowing of the gag order from the SEC and the nature of the advice given to Newton by his attorney, surely the media does not think anyone would grace them with comments about the situation.  Yet rather than ask Chizik or Newton about the games just played, there is no doubt the press would bombard Newton and the Auburn coach with questions that cannot be answered.  So why bother?

Live in the Present or Worry about the Future

Even when writers acknowledge the paucity of real evidence presented so far in regards to Cam Newton or its relationship with his eligibility at Auburn University, some persist in wringing their hands about how it would be a shame if another team missed out on a national championship opportunity or a player winning the Heisman Trophy if the allegations were determined to be true and Newton was declared ineligible forcing the forfeiture of all of Auburn’s 2010 wins at some point in the future.

That is certainly a valid concern but what of Auburn and Cam Newton if the accusations prove false or do not result in his being declared ineligible?  Is it fair to the Tigers and their junior transfer quarterback if they miss out on those same opportunities despite being determined later to be fully eligible and worthy of such distinctions?  Should we even make NCAA eligibility determinations based on what MIGHT be proven as opposed to what has already been proven?

Do we even know for certain whether the accusations that have been made will result in Newton being declared ineligible at Auburn University even if they turn out to be factual?  After all, there has been absolutely no evidence to implicate Auburn as having improperly recruited Newton so the primary thrust involves Mississippi State University and one of the Bulldog boosters.  Will the NCAA punish Auburn for MSU’s apparent infractions?

Cam Newton – Player of the Year (and Maybe the Decade)

Responsible people may be concerned about the allegations against Newton and Auburn’s decision to play him but those same people will recognize the lack of compelling evidence and judge Cam Newton by the only evidence that is clearly available:  the results on the field.

Auburn is 12-0 having played one of the toughest schedules in the nation.  Newton has led the Tigers to eight come from behind victories including the most recent deficit of 24 points on the road before 101,000 rabid Alabama fans cheering on one of the most dominant teams in college football.

Newton never quits and neither do the Tigers.

Newton is the first SEC player to rush for rush for 1000 yards and pass for 2000 yards.  He has had six hundred yard rushing games against SEC opponents and holds the Auburn record for most yards of offense in a season.  Indeed, entire articles have been written documenting Cam Newton’s amazing production stats.  Most importantly, Newton is a leader of the highest quality with a proven ability to rally his team and carry them on his back to victory. 

Cam Newton may be a once in a generation talent but rather than sit back and enjoy the show, some people want simply to close it down regardless of the cost or the questionable means used to achieve their desire.  Whether the cause is the pettiness of rejection or the green eyed stare of envy, Newton has drawn an astonishing amount of criticism and has yet remained unfazed.

Misery Loves Company

No matter what happens on the field or within the context of the NCAA investigation, many who have criticized Newton and the Tigers will forever remain unconvinced about the Auburn quarterback’s eligibility.  They will hold to their convictions of Newton’s guilt because it offers them a means of rationalizing the disappointments of their own 2010 college football dreams. 

If only it had not been for Cam Newton, their team might have played for a national championship.  Were it not for Auburn not declaring Newton ineligible despite the lack of proof supporting the accusations against him, the player for their team might have won the Heisman Trophy.  If only Cam Newton had never left their team or signed with their team after junior college, maybe THEY would be the team in the limelight.

Envy wears many faces.   Jealousy dons many shrouds.  And fear makes people see phantasms where none exist. 

Much of the criticism directed toward Newton and Auburn University is little more than projected envy, jealously, and fear.  Pettiness reflects poorly on schools and their fans and all the more so when it is so nakedly exposed.

Moving On

Whether Auburn will even play for a national championship remains unknown.  First they have to defeat a team the Tigers barely scraped by when they met earlier this season.  Eight times the men of the Plains have dragged themselves back from the abyss but such luck may not hold out forever.

Even if the Tigers are fortunate enough to triumph over the Gamecocks for the second time in a season, they must then take on a very talented Oregon team that can play with anyone on the nation.   The torch of the Southeastern Conference burns powerfully and hot but that alone is no guarantee of an Auburn victory.

But on November 26, 2010, the Auburn Tigers led by Cam Newton made a bold statement.  Fear is not in their nature and quitting is never an option.  Whether the trials are those of the gridiron or generated by off the field issues, Auburn will not be distracted and they will not be divided. 

Let the example of Auburn move all Americans to surmount our difficulties, focus on the needs before us without getting distracted by the noise of those who wish us ill, and face every challenge confident in our ability to overcome them so long as we work together.