Heisman Winner Cam Newton: Hope it’s not True

College football has long been synonymous with big business. Lucrative television contracts, corporate sponsorships, conference profit sharing, coaching endorsements, merchandising, concessions, luxury suites, seat licensing, stadium naming rights and multi-million dollar bowl appearance payouts—there is nothing “non-profit” about the game.

So it is no wonder that the collegiate landscape has long been tainted before the allegations ever surfaced surrounding Auburn’s Heisman trophy winner Cam Newton. Most recently, before Newton, was another Heisman inductee—who has since returned the reward—former University of Southern California (USC) standout, Reggie Bush. Prior to USC, there have been multiple programs that were reprimanded by the NCAA for illegally alluring recruits, most notably of which was Southern Methodist University (SMU). In the 1980s, SMU saw their football program cease operations for two years—receiving the ‘death penalty'—for multiple incidents surrounding the illegal payment of players. And even prior to WWII, William and Mary found itself in scandals revolving around transcript adjustments that directly made players eligible to play and receive academic scholarships that were unearned.

For every school, coach, and player that was convicted for operating illegally, there are many more that are left undetected. Some critics would say, “If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying, and thus you won’t be competitive.” And though the NCAA has recently become more strict in its due diligence, as long as there is money and imperfect people, there will always be controversy, greed and unethical business practices in an attempt to “get ahead.”

So for the Christian, how do we proceed? In 1 Timothy we are urged to “be above reproach.” Regardless of what others do on the field of competition or in the boardroom at the office, it’s imperative to live blamelessly, knowing that you’re ultimately responsible to God. Because, regardless of success or not, His opinion is the only one that truly matters.

So congratulations Cam Newton on a phenomenal year, but regarding the surrounding defamatory allegations—we are hoping it’s not true.

Editorial