Auburn Football 2010: Passing Of an Era

Auburn Tigers are slated to play in its second national championship and first of the BCS Era.  As with any team, they have gone  and won through a tough grind of ranked team, and ever since mid-season, they have been doing so with a big target of their back.  That target, however, is not just the opposing football teams, but also the NCAA investigation on QB Cameron Newton.  Before I get to the main point of the article, I am going to write my thoughts on the investigation for the final time.  Thanks to one of my fellow writers on Bleacher Report, I have memorized this section of the NCAA law by now:

“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 (except such aid or assistance as such student-athlete may receive from those persons on whom the student is naturally or legally dependent for support), such student-athlete shall be ineligible for competition in any intercollegiate sport within the Conference for the remainder of his/her college career."

Now, this law clearly states that money does not need to exchange hands and a mere solicitation on behalf of Cam's father, Cecil, is enough to break the law.  But I ask the naysayers, where in this law, does it states that that holds true REGARDLESS of whether or not the athlete had prior knowledge and consent? Also, the fact the money actually did not exchange hands is significant, and that itself makes the case different than that of Reggie Bush.  Am I 100% sure Cam was not aware of it?  No, I am not.  But until you can find proof, this section is not enough to ruin a young man's career.  Also, to those people who like to joke on Auburn being involved in the pay-for-play scheme, need I remind that the incident happened at Mississippi State and not Auburn.  But again, I don't want to argue on this.  

Now to the main point.

Most fans and writers are quick to attribute Auburn's championship run to just Cam Newton, Gus Malzahn, and Nick Fairley.  However, I am not even here to argue on that topic.  I am here for something that is not related to action on the football field, but off it, without which this season would not have been a success.  

I am talking about loyalty and faith in the program, and two of the most important players on this Auburn team, two true Auburn men: Kodi Burns and Neil Caudle

The disastrous 2008 season is still etched fresh in the minds of not only these two but many other players on this team who were there.  However, instead of letting that season stay in their minds as extra baggage, they used it as not only personal motivation, but that for the team.  These guys have seen it all, from the highest of victories, to the lowest of defeats.  

Neil Caudle came to Auburn as one of the best quarterback recruits in the country, destined for great things.  After being injured for the 2008 season, he hoped to re-ignite his career under then-incoming staff of Gene Chizik.  However, it would not come easy.  He was thrust into competition against Kodi Burns, Tyrik Rollison, and Chris Todd.  Todd won out the starting position.  That loss stung Caudle, and with the pride that usually comes with being a high-profile recruit, he could just as easily transferred somewhere, but he stayed with Auburn, eager to re-build the program.  Then came the 2010 season, and he was again thrust into competition.  This time, against the hyped Cam Newton, Barret Trotter, and Clint Mosley.  Cam Newton won the position quite easily, and not only did he lost the starter spot, but also the back-up spot to Barret Trotteragain the loss stung Caudle.  He could still have transferred to an FCS school to get a start in his career, but again he chose to stay with Auburn and Gene Chizik and contribute to the program's success.  

He watched from the sideline as Cam Newton dominated and made himself a household name, and yet he never let it adversely impact him.  As always, he remained ready and optimistic to help out the team in any way possible.  This is not to say that he was happy with being where he is.  That is not possible.  But he never showed his disappointment to his teammates, neither in practice nor on the sidelines during football games.  He stayed true to Auburn through adversity and disappointments.

If there is one other person who has gone through even harsher trials throughout his career, its one of my favorite player to ever play for Auburn: Kodi Burns.

He came in even more hyped than Caudle, with some fans expecting him to be the next Michael Vick. He was the starting quarterback for much of the 2008 season, and needless to say, thanks to a combination on his own skills and the Tuberville staff, he wasn't nearly as successful as expected.  That in itself was a testing time for Burns.  Then came the new staff, another quarterback competition, and not only did he lose, but was asked to move to wide receiver.  He contemplated transferring, but stayed at Auburn, wanting to help the staff any way he can.  He has done a more than satisfactory job since.  However, his greatest value to the team comes off the field.  His trials have been one of the reasons Auburn is undefeated right now and is going to play for glory in Glendale.  He was there to inspire the team in face of the many deficits the team faced in the first half.  He was always a guiding hand for the incoming freshmen, showing them what teamwork really means.  To say that he is one on the most respected individuals on this team is an understatement.

These two shoved aside their egos and pride to take this program to the pinnacle this season.  They are not the only one either.  The two ironmen of the team, Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens, have been as resilient off the field as they have been on it.  Lee Ziemba and Ryan Pugh could just as easily turned pro last year.  Others include guys like Mike McNeil and Aaron Savage, who have been frustrated by injures, yet continued to bounce back.  These guys were there during the 2008 season, were there during coaching changes, and were there when the team was going through adversity this season.  Ironically, the lessons learned in humility and belief in not only themselves, but each other during the 2008 season, the worst of the decade, has served as a backdrop for one of the most successful seasons in Auburn history.

These guys will be gone after this seasons.  All the Auburn fans have so much to be thankful to them for.  I write this in hope that, besides sharing their happiness for this season, we realize what brought them to where they are and what they have gone through to get there.  Hopefully there is something we can learn ourselves from them.