Cam Newton Controversy

As the NFL draft draws near, it is interesting to look back at the previous 2010-2011 NCAA season. The national championship, Auburn tigers were led by Cam Newton who lined up as the signal caller. Although before priding himself under the "War Eagle" cry and wearing the navy and orange, the path for Newton's success was affected by a series of incidents.

In 2007, as a dominant high school recruit from the state of Georgia, Cam Newton orginially signed his letter of intent to become a gator at the University of Florida. However after becoming involved with the theft of a laptop computer, Newton would withdraw from the university. After withdrawing, Newton would attend Blinn College, a junior college in Texas where he would lead his squad to the National Junior College Championship. After enrolling at Blinn College, Newton made it possible to get his name back on the recruiting boards of big-time football powerhouses across the United States. Upon being a heavily-touted junior college recruit, Newton would find his calling as he decided to enroll at Auburn University, where he would be the starting quarterback for the 2010 season.

The 2010 football season brough much more to Cam Newton, than a National Championship win over Oregeon Univ, as well as winning the Heisman Trophy. Despite being a monstrous figure lining up as the tiger's quarterback, Newton possessed all the skills essential for reaching Heisman Status. However the majority of Newton's dominant season had little to do with his performance on the field. The NCAA spent much of the 2010 season investigating the inovolvment of Cam Newton's father, Cecil Newton with receiving roughly $100,000 from the Mississippi State university during his son's recruiting process. The investigation determined that Cecil Newton, solicitated his son's athletic ability in exchange for about $100k. The acts of Cecil Newton with accepting money from a college were by all means an NCAA violation. Therefore the NCAA would rule Cam Newton ineligable for the remander of his season prior to the SEC Champiosnhip, National Championship and Heisman Trophy ceremony. However, Auburn University challenged the NCAA and asked for Newton's reinstatement, which was approved.

Cam Newton would then lead the Auburn Tigers to a SEC and National championship as well as winning the Heisman Trophy by a unanimous decsion.

The story of Cam Newton is an engaging story to say the least. However what is interesting to notice is the fact that the NCAA investigated the path to star-dom of Newton after he attained his success. Soliciting of athletes goes on at a variety schools throughout the U.S. through bribery and incentives, however you have the decision to accept/decline these offers, Cecil Newton just got caught in the act of accpeting moeny in exchange for his son's talent, which resulted in pure dominance on the gridiron.

Cam Newton's success provided the platform for his father's actions to be investigated by the NCAA.