Cam Newton: Heisman Will Be His Legacy, Not NCAA Investigations

Cam Newton has persevered.

He has fought on and found ways to win at Auburn with a storm surrounding him.

A major chapter in his legacy will be written Saturday night when he most likely is announced the winner of the 2011 Heisman Trophy.

He has done all he can to live up to the Heisman mission statement:

"The Heisman Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance and hard work. The Heisman Trophy Trust ensures the continuation and integrity of this award."

That is the main part of the Heisman mission statement.

First and foremost, it is awarded to the players deemed and voted best in the nation by those who cast ballots. It is not a civic award, going to the best model citizen and player.

There have been stones cast at Newton because of the NCAA investigation that turned up nothing to disqualify him from playing at Auburn or receiving this Heisman. Some voters have refused to include him in their ballots.

If that's the case, then they'd best look at some of the incidents that other candidates have been involved with, but that's not the concern here, Newton is.

Enough voters will deem him worthy and come Saturday night in New York, he should be the one with his arms around the trophy. It will be part of his legacy for this sensational season he's had at Auburn.

The final chapter in his college legacy will probably come on Jan. 10 against Oregon in the BCS title game.

It should be Newton's college good-bye. The NFL will most likely be his next destination.

For now, there will be still some talk of the accusations. There could even be other investigations. But that may all just simply go away with time.

The NCAA no doubt took a close look at this one, as did the Heisman Trust.

They don't want another Reggie Bush.

No one does.