Moral Dilemma for the Heisman Committee

[G8RB8R]

It seems like the "No-Heisman for Cam" talk is gaining momentum among those who are allowed to vote. Every day, I hear more and more sports people saying that, in good conscience, they will not/cannot vote for Cam because of integrity issues.

I think these are prety much the same issues as to why Emmitt did not win the Heisman. UF was on probation for cheating, so how can you give the award to a player from that school? Nevermind that Emmitt was clean, his institution was dirty. I believe that the same will end up being true in Cam's case, too, except he has "dirt" on him, too.

So, here's the dilemma that I see for the Heisman Committee...should he even be invited to the ceremonies? If he is invited, isn't that just the same as saying he is worthy of the award? And if that is true, how can he not be awarded the trophy?

To invite the greatest football player this year and NOT award him the trophy, isn't that like some sort of double standard of discrimination?

Why would you even invite the guy, if there is no intention of giving him the award?

 

[Escambia94]

I say, evaluate Cam on what you know today and vote as you see fit without considering tomorrow. That is the process. There is a process for taking away a Heisman if evidence says so, but it is not the job of the Heisman selection committee to play what-if. Now, if a voter decides there is enough evidence RIGHT NOW, then vote accordingly.

Today the proof exists that Cecil Newton is dirty and those MSU boosters are dirty. Today no proof exists on Cam or Auburn. If it did exist, then Cam would be ineligible and Auburn would be forfeiting its slot in the BCS game. Yes. Invite him. Yes, take it away months from now if he wins and is found guilty.

 

[ShortBus]

E-94, sorry but Cam IS dirty. he stole a laptop, threw it out a window, and cheated on numerous papers/tests/etc while enrolled at UF. he has no backbone. once a snake always a snake

 

[Jack&Dew]

I would not vote for him either. There are way too many "issues" out there on this guy and his Father. Cheating, Stealing, Lying, Etc...

 

[G8RB8R]

Maybe it's an excuse to not vote for Cam, but it is the one that most of the sports people (ESPN, local talk radio, sportswriters like Frennette & Bianchi) are vocalizing.

Should he still be invited to the Heisman award? What the heck do they do if they invite him and he doesn't win? If I were Cam & attended, and this happened, it would have to be the most humiliating thing that could possibly ever happen to him, and on national TV. Would the Heisman people do this to him? Everybody knows he is the best college player in America, bar none. Wouldn't you believe that if he is there at the ceremony, that he will be the winner?

You know somebody up there in NY is struggling with this issue right now.

Personally, I think he should get the trophy. But if I were in the committee's shoes, I don't know what they should do!

 

[Jack&Dew]

It was my understanding that this was more than just being the best football player; it was a total package deal.

The Heisman Memorial 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. The Trust, furthermore, has a charitable mission to support amateur athletics and to provide greater opportunities to the youth of our country. Our goal through these charitable endeavors is for the Heisman Trophy to symbolize the fostering of a sense of community responsibility and service to our youth, especially those disadvantaged or afflicted. All assets of the Trust beyond the expense of maintaining the annual presentation of the Heisman Memorial Trophy are reserved for such charitable causes. The Trustees, who all serve pro bono, are guided by a devotion to college football and are committed to community service and the valued tradition which the Trophy represents.

 

[G8RB8R]

It was my understanding that this was more than just being the best football player; it was a total package deal.

The Heisman Memorial 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. The Trust, furthermore, has a charitable mission to support amateur athletics and to provide greater opportunities to the youth of our country. Our goal through these charitable endeavors is for the Heisman Trophy to symbolize the fostering of a sense of community responsibility and service to our youth, especially those disadvantaged or afflicted. All assets of the Trust beyond the expense of maintaining the annual presentation of the Heisman Memorial Trophy are reserved for such charitable causes. The Trustees, who all serve pro bono, are guided by a devotion to college football and are committed to community service and the valued tradition which the Trophy represents.

Granted. Should he be invited to the ceremony?

 

[Jack&Dew]

I do not think he should have been invited.

 

[Escambia94]

Invite him and let the cards land. There is no dilemma until a) there is proof Cam took pay for play b) that his indescretion at Florida continued into Blinn College and Auburn and c) there is someone else more deserving.

Even if I thought Cam did take money to play, I would have to use the blind eye of justice and evaluate the criteria at that time. Best player in college football? Yes. Best integrity? Well, how do I measure that? He screwed up at Florida, I know dad is a cheat. Do I hold that against him today even though I lack proof? No. That means I would invite him and maybe let him win the award. Just follow the process without letting bias get in the way. What if he is guilty? What if he knew of dad's pimping him out? What if this? What if that? Has nobody here ever been on a jury? We can't pre-judge based on supposition without evidence. We all "know" he is bad, but I refuse to say he is bad until someone more qualified than I am can prove it.

 

[Gatorfan24]

I think if cam newton wins, Reggie bush should get his back too then.

 

[Leakfan12]

I hope Newton doesn't win and Auburn loses the title game because I don't know want to see vacated in the next five or ten years or however long this takes.

 

[MahxFahn]

It's very rare when I can agree with anything this hack spews, but.......

Cam Newton of Auburn is not on my Heisman Trophy ballot

I am about to fill out my Heisman Trophy ballot and Cam Newton of Auburn will be nowhere on it.
Hate to say I told you so, but I’ve never been more secure about my decision to leave Cam Newton off my Heisman ballot than I was a few days ago. That’s when the NCAA determined that, yes, Newton’s father Cecil, a preacher in Atlanta, shopped his son in a pay-for-play scheme before Newton signed with Auburn. Do I need to remind everyone of the “integrity” clause in the Heisman’s mission statement? It says, “The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity.”
That’s right, it says the pursuit of excellence with “INTEGRITY.” And, yet, here we have Cam Newton, a player who left the University of Florida amid allegations of academic fraud and after he was found with a stolen laptop computer and threw it out the window when police arrived; a player whose recruitment is being investigated by the NCAA and the FBI; a player whose father Cecil, according to the NCAA, tried to sell his son’s services to the highest bidder (but, um, Cam supposedly knew nothing about it.).
If Newton wins the Heisman, the trophy should be recast in honor of Cam’s dad. The guy on top of trophy shouldn’t have his arm out; he should have his hand out.

Origin....