Maybe so.


Don't hate me cause the Pac-10 sucks.


To whom are your referring?

 

I don't believe for half a second that he didn't know that his father was shopping him, especially after he told his junior college that he was going to go where his Dad said, no matter where that was.

 

who cares. Its not like he's the only college player that had this happen... he just made the mistake of being too good and shining in the spotlight too brightly.

 

True.

I was referring to Cam and the few press conferences I've seen... Couldn't watch his Heisman acceptance speech, I had better things to do...
Pac10/SEC matchup in the BCS title game, should be interesting.

Really, that's your argument? A star that shined too brightly?

 

yep. who cares? Regardless of what he did or didn't know, he is the player most deserving of the award. if they're going to punish him, they better start punishing the entire league, because he is one of thousands doing / has done the same. the only reason anyone cares is because he is a heisman quality player.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkpXyJZT1ew

 

Yes, he's a great player, and he has done some great things this year, but the question is: is he eligible for the award? They started punishing players taking benefits (see UNC and Bush) but then suddenly stopped at Newton.

 

in case you didn't realize, but bush gave it back, they didn't strip him of it.

 

Oh, I'm aware. But the writing was on the wall, so to speak. Kinda like saying "you can't fire me, I quit." The trust was seriously considering whether or not to stip him of it, he decided to save face and return it. Right decision considering all that reportedly went on. Lets hope Cam Newton also volunteers to return his award when things get ugly.

 

i really don't care either way.

the way i see it is that these guys are being forced to play college ball in order to go pro. I think the NFL should create a system like MLB has, with minor league teams or semi-pro leagues that these 18-22 year olds can go to and develop.

the problem is that these colleges are making a killing off of these football programs because the players are practically their slaves. they don't get to do endorsements, they don't get paid, they just get free tuition. because of this, schools need to do something to lure the best players. alot of what is done is shady and under the table. the system is flawed. punishing someone for recognizing and benefiting from the flaw is good from a PR perspective but it isn't going to stop the problem.

I don't think Newton or Bush should have to give up their awards. Their on-field play earned them the award. I don't think these types of things should have any bearing on the legitimacy of their achievement. its one thing if they were taking performance enhancers like steroids or did some other form of cheating. this situation does not affect Newton the football player and so should not be considered in the selection for the award

 

As a devout USC fan, I agree. No argument here that both are great athletes. I'd love to see Reggie get his Heisman back, and the sanctions to be lifted. Maybe I'm being irrational by not wanting Newton to have it if he did the exact same thing as Reggie and the NCAA slammed USC and Reggie with sanctions and penalties.

Only thing I'd worry about if you allow players to start taking money is it would change the game of college football tremendously. The historic difference between college and the pros was that college was for kids getting an education first and playing football for love of the game. Guess that's a little out-dated and unrealistic these days...

 

you honestly believe these college players are there for the education? Maybe 15% of them are where more than 75% of them should be. to be honest the whole college football establishment is a sham.

what they should really consider is a semi-pro / minor league system, pay the players as they develop, and let college football become more like college baseball where most of the kids are there for an education.

that way, the newtons and bushes of the world will be able to get paid right out of high school and develop their skills as semi-pro athletes and the colleges won't be wasting tax money to recruit them.

 

Do you really think that once they sign with a Pro team that they really give a rats behind about ANY award or trophy they received in college??? Come on its all about the $$$$$$. Americans idolize athletes for their contribution to what??? How about the young men and women that join the Military out of high school and do something really admirable?
Talk about a screwed up mentality.....

 

Well, I said "historically" in acknowledgment that things had changed. This is a different debate though, please stay on topic

 

the topic is focusing on the symptom, not the disease. the problem is that these players aren't paid, so the system has become corrupt.

the result? the current situation with Newton's Heisman bid.

 

its not that simply summarized.

the military obviously serves a noble cause and is more important.

however, these athletes are entertainers, constantly in the spotlight and becoming household names. because of this level of fame, they are worth a ton of $. their name put butts in the seats at the stadium, earning the owners millions / billions of dollars. in reality, the millions they make are only a fraction of the money they bring in for their organization.