Cam Newton: Why a National Title Won't Save Newton's Legacy

The Auburn Tigers can never seem to catch a break.

They haven't won a title since 1957. Bo Jackson and company were denied a 1983 championship when Miami leapfrogged them in the final poll. The 13-0 Tigers were the third wheel in 2004 when USC and Oklahoma were also unblemished.

Now it's a soap opera titled, "As the World Turns: Starring Cam Newton."

Win or lose against the Oregon Ducks, the legitimacy of this magical run is always going to be brought up whenever the 2010 season is referenced.

The Cam Newton story has as many twists and turns as a drunk driver.

He transformed from forgotten junior college transfer and former Florida backup to the best player in the college football.

Just over a year ago, Newton was a mere mortal making a campus visit to Auburn.

"I went from visiting and seeing the best Auburn has to a year later seeing what New York has," Newton said at his Heisman ceremony.

A year later, Newton has a Heisman Trophy and shot to win the national championship. He was the obvious choice for the prestigious award after the incredible season he posted.

The 6'6", 250-pound junior threw for 2,589 yards and ran for another 1,409 while accumulating a nation's-best 49 TDs. He also led the nation in passing efficiency (188.1).

He became the third player in college football history to run and pass for 20 TDs in the same year and the first QB in SEC history to have a season with 2,000 yards passing and 1,000 rushing.

Did I mention this was his first season under center for the Tigers?

Newton had to buy a new trophy case after the month of December. He won the Walter Camp, Davey O'Brien and Maxwell awards, AP College Football Player of the Year, and the 2010 Heisman Trophy.

But did he achieve this success while secretly getting paper cuts counting the money he received from his school?

Throughout this magical season, Newton has had to deal with the rumors about his dad Cecil.

Did he accept money in return for Newton's services?

Did Mississippi St. really offer him almost $200,000?

Did Newton know anything about this?

Does Cam's track record make it that much harder to believe him?

So many questions, so little answers.

Newton has another talent: dodging questions. As the controversy reached deafening heights, Newton said less and less.

Afraid to say anything that could haunt him down the road, Newton has become very skilled at avoiding the topic. While this was smart for the purpose of not screwing himself...it has done little to convince the fans and media of his innocence.

The general consensus believes that Auburn 2010 is equivalent to USC 2005.

Critics across the nation predict another Reggie Bush ending; Newton will have to return his Heisman Trophy and watch a new generation of Tigers pay the price with NCAA violations, while he laces them on Sundays and makes even more cash.

Even the comments of SEC officials are carefully orchestrated to ensure innocence:

“Based on established facts and anything that I personally know, I don’t know of any issue,” Mike Slive, the SEC commissioner, said. “Again, I’m not out looking. That’s not my job. That’s a question for the NCAA. But I haven’t been told of anything.”

While the NCAA indeed ruled Newton eligible, the case is not closed. The chances of the entire season getting wiped out are there, and many believe it's only a matter of time.

The door has been left open for the possibility of further action if Newton/Auburn are proven to have known about the pay-for-play scheme. 

Whether he had any fears of that happening, Newton had a simple response:

"I have two letters for you, my friend...N-O."

The Auburn Tigers finished the 2009 season with an 8-5 record and an appearance in the Outback Bowl. This season, Auburn vaulted from a No. 22 preseason ranking to the No. 1 spot in the country and a shot at a national title. When the final Heisman votes were counted, Newton had more than double the points (2,263) of his second-place competitor, Stanford's Andrew Luck (1,079).

It's clear that Newton was far and away the best player in 2010. His achievements should be celebrated and remembered as one of the most dominating performances of the last 20 years.

But Cam Newton the college player will go down as one of the biggest enigmas of all time. The swirling controversies that have surrounded him won't be forgotten. If he is busted down the line, the masses will unleash one big "I told you so" response.

The speculation will always be there, and the cloud above Newton is permanent.

Long after Auburn plays for the BCS title on Monday, Cam Newton’s legacy and the 2010 Auburn season will still be questioned.