Cam Newton: Should Congress Have Honored Controversial Heisman Winner?
Cam Newton swept most of the major college football awards, but was he also honored by Congress?
Believe it or not, yeah, he was.
The House of Representatives approved a commemorative resolution, recognizing the Heisman Trophy winner for his outstanding accomplishments on the football field.
The question now is whether that should have even happened.
I mean, should the House of Representatives really have honored the controversial Auburn quarterback?
I have my thoughts, but I'm here to present both sides of the argument before issuing my verdict.
Alright, let's debate...
5. No: Newton Was Involved In Scandal
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Congress has enough nonsense going on already, so it's beyond me why they would give Cam Newton this award.
I mean, haven't they had enough scandal over the years to not associate themselves with another one?
After all, at the very least Newton was linked to a major scandal.
And at most he was actually involved in it.
There's been enough lying, cheating and stealing on Capitol Hill to last us a lifetime. There's no need to bring anymore of it (allegedly) into the picture.
5. Yes: It's Been Done Before
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The House of Representatives has approved a ceremonial resolution for a college football player in the past.
Without reading below, do you have any idea who it is?
Hint: He also won the Heisman Trophy, and he's currently a starting quarterback in the NFL.
The answer is...Sam Bradford.
Bradford received was honored in 2009 for his Heisman Trophy campaign at Oklahoma.
He wasn't involved in any scandal with the Sooners, but oh well. I guess giving Cam Newton the award can't really hurt anybody.
4. No: This Is College Football
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Cam Newton is a college football player.
Let me remind you again: he is a college football player.
Other than ticket sales, funding to the SEC/Auburn and marks in a win column, Newton contributes the same amount—or even less in a lot of cases—to society than you or I do.
It's a little ridiculous to be honored by the federal government for something that has virtually no value to our country.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
4. Yes: He's Eligible Right Now
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Cam Newton is still eligible to play college football.
That's fine: give him all the awards you can...while he's still able to get them.
Just take it away if Newton is found to have committed any wrongdoing. I have no problem with that—it wouldn't be the first time that Congress went back and tried to cover up a mistake.
3. No: The Eligibility Drama Isn't Over Yet
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Cam Newton has been ruled eligible by the NCAA...at least for now.
But no one who's watched all this eligibility drama unfold all season believes we'll never hear the words "Cam Newton" and "ineligible" in the same sentence again.
Not that it's the same exact situation, but Reggie Bush entered the NFL in 2006 and it was only this year that his eligibility/Heisman situation was resolved.
It wouldn't be remotely surprising if the same thing happened with Newton in 2014.
One thing's for sure, though: this wouldn't be the first time Congress was connected to a bad apple.
3. Yes: It Means Nothing
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What does this award actually mean?
Seriously, does anyone think Cam Newton's throwing a party because he received a "ceremonial resolution?"
I can open up Microsoft Word right now, type up a ceremonial resolution of my own, anoint myself the country's most outstanding juggler, and it'll mean about as much as Newton's award.
That's why Congress is planning on getting rid of these things within the next year. They serve absolutely no purpose whatsoever, so just give it to him anyway.
Nobody will be talking about this once the sun sets.
2. No: Congress Has Better Things To Do
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Aren't there like 973,542,386 problems in this country that Congress should take priority over some college football award?
I mean, its kind of a slap in the face to us citizens to think that health care and the economy are taking a backseat to some college kid.
The thought of the House of Representatives sitting there and casting ballots for a "ceremonial resolution" is so stupid it's laughable.
Way to go, Congress!
I have a YouTube video that has 10 million hits.
Let me know when I'm getting my ceremonial resolution for being "the most outstanding Internet video maker."
I'll be waiting...
2. Yes: He Won The Heisman Trophy Award
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Not many college football players can say they've won any type of award, not to mention the Heisman Trophy.
But Newton won the sport's biggest individual prize, in a landslide at that.
He also led Auburn to an undefeated season and a berth in the BCS National Championship Game.
Newton is in an elite class and he should be recognized for what he's done in one of the world's most grueling sports.
1. No: Awards Should Be Given To Heroes
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Cam Newton is not a hero.
Maybe he is to Auburn Tiger fans who have never touched a football field and want to live vicariously through him, but that's about it.
Congressional awards should be deserved for true heroes, like someone who catches a serial killer or dies in battle.
Not for someone like Newton.
Unless he's been masquerading as a vigilante and capturing criminals on the sly, let's hold off on the awards for right now.
1. Yes: He's Arguably The Greatest College Football Player Ever
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Cam Newton has only been at Auburn for one season, but he's arguably the greatest player in college football history.
In 2010 he's racked up more than 2,500 passing yards, 1,400 rushing yards and accounted for 49 touchdowns, which means that Newton got into the end zone more times than 80 teams have over the course of the season.
Newton had an unbelievable season that probably won't be match at the FBS level anytime soon.
He deserves to be recognized for his numerous achievements in just one year of major college football.
The Verdict: Should Congress Have Honored Cam Newton?
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Cam Newton will go down as a Heisman Trophy winner and a college football legend.
But I could care less if he racked up 120 touchdowns this season and led Auburn to a 50-point victory in the national championship game.
I'll never believe in Congress honoring a college football player for his on-the-field accomplishments.
His contributions off the field? Yeah, obviously that's fine.
But honoring Newton—and I'm not even factoring in his involvement in scandal—just isn't a good idea.
It starts a slippery slope of honoring athletes regardless of whether or not they have questionable character.
Not to mention, it doesn't make much sense to begin with.
The Verdict: No, absolutely not.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
