Coleman's Commentary

It's only a matter of hours now until Cam Newton is announced the 2010 Heisman Trophy Winner. 2010 has certainly been the year of Cam in College Football. Newton wasn't the frontrunner to begin the season to many casual college football followers Newton was a unknown. It didn't take Newton long to establish himself as a elite level player and by Week 5 Newton was the Heisman Frontrunner. I cannot recall a season were the top player separated himself from the pack as Newton has this season. Outside of the first couple of games when he and the coaching staff were finding their grove, Newton hasn't been anything less than spectacular. Often Heisman winners are defined by moments and Newton has enough "moments" to fill a two-hour episode of SportsCenter. Perhaps the most impressive thing about Newton this season was his ability to always make the big play. Newtons biggest moments didn't come against Arkansas State or Chattanooga, they came at Alabama when the Tide was up by 20+, against the Wildcats of Kentucky when trailing in the final minutes, the run into the endzone in a tight contest against LSU and perhaps his best performance of the season came in the SEC Championship against the Gamecocks when the spotlight was at it's brightest.

All this success hasn't been easy. I'm sure most have heard of the pay for play scandal surrounding Newton and his father, Cecil. Given all the pressure this story must have caused it makes Newton's on the field accomplishment all that more impressive. However not all will see it that way. The backlash against Cecil Newton has him watching the events on TV instead of being beside his son on what should be a special day for both. In support of ethics and integrity some voters will use their vote as a voice for ethics and integrity, which don't exist in D1 football, and not vote Newton. Thus Newton isn't likely to become the biggest runaway Heisman winner in history which given his play in comparison to everyone else he should be.

Make no mistake Newton and Co. are not victims in this battle and the war isn't over. In time Cam Newton will have been found to have known of the infractions and the Heisman Trophy will no longer be his and the 2010 season for the Auburn Tigers will not have been. Until that time comes however Newton is eligible and has committed no penalties in the eyes of the NCAA thus he should be viewed in the same way of every other student athlete. A Heisman Vote is a privilege given to those who have earned it as past winners and selected media members. It should not be used as a pulpit to preach your values of ethics and integrity. Newtons standing with the NCAA will be reviewed, his path to where he is now will be dissected and any wrong doing will be determined. In time this will all be sorted out but that time is not Saturday Night. The Heisman Trophy goes to the most outstanding player in College Football, that player is Cam Newton. If you want to see justice served then watch ESPN's 30 for 30: Pony Excess, highlighting the SMU's pay for play program from the late 70 and early 80's immediately following the Heisman presentation. How's that for cross promotional programming.