Gene Frenette of the T-U is not normally prone to spasms of self-righteousness, even when it comes to the daily transgressions of the burly thugs who populate the rosters of the Jags, Gators or Seminoles. But for some reason he regresses to the sportswriter norm when it comes to the Cam Newton saga. And that norm is stupid and boring. Here's the scroll:
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400617/gene-frenette/2010-12-04/gene-frenette-heisman-vote-against-cam-newton
After more agonizing over my Heisman Trophy choice than at any time in 24 years, there’s no doubt that Cam Newton deserves the award based solely on his on-field performance.
So vote for him. Unless you’ve uncovered some damning evidence.
The dual-threat Auburn quarterback, a super-sized Tim Tebow, blows the field away. His 2010 numbers are as powerful and impressive as any in recent memory.
Indeed.
But since the Heisman Trust ask its voters to recognize the “outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity,” I’m duty-bound to honor that newly instituted integrity clause.
What is it with sportswriters and the whole integrity-of-the-game thing? They’re a lower form of homo sapiens whose collective judgment can be swayed by the quality of the shrimp on the pre-game spread. Also, unless fans are devotees of the rival team, they don’t give a fuck about the NCAA’s insanely specific and arcane recruiting rules.
I’m sorry, Auburn fans, but after the NCAA confirmed from its investigation this week that Newton’s father, Cecil, solicited his son
I think ‘offered his son’ would be a better phrasing, unless you’re intentionally trying to evoke a prostitution vibe.
in a pay-for-play scheme to attend Mississippi State, that’s a game-changer for this voter. I cannot, in good conscience, put Newton on my ballot, though he may still win the Heisman in a runaway.
It doesn’t matter if the other 924 voters agree, or if I must go on that limb alone,
You brave, solitary soul, you
it’s impossible for me to ignore that Cam — however impressive he’s been in leading Auburn to a perfect season — had a father engage in a despicable auction for his services.
Please, spare me the self-righteous indignation.
Who, me? I think, it’s you, Geno, who is wallowing in self-righteousness. The ruling body gave Cam its blessing. If you know something they don’t, let’s hear it.
The “integrity” clause is purely subjective, to be interpreted as each voter deems fit.
So I could vote against a Notre Dame candidate because I think Catholics lack integrity? Never mind, Notre Dame doesn’t get great players anymore.
Others may be fine with voting for Newton because the NCAA says it couldn’t find evidence that Cam knew of his father’s scam, and that is their call. My colleagues are entitled to that view without me ridiculing them for it.
Before the NCAA reinstated Newton, I was willing to not let what happened two years ago at Florida — the purchase of a stolen computer or multiple cheating allegations that Cam never denied — eliminate him from consideration. A lot of growing up takes place between the ages of 19-21.
Until more evidence from the investigation surfaced, I didn’t want to penalize Newton for actions that took place two schools ago.
I’m puzzled at this point, Geno. You’re willing to give him a pass for transgressions at Florida that are unproven, but this current thing is … what? Proven in a court of law?
Though the NCAA hasn’t found him in violation of its rules yet, the Southeastern Conference, whose leader is obsessed about erasing its cheating reputation,
WTF? Cheating reputation? The SEC ain’t a conclave of monks, but it’s no worse than the other big conferences. Also, and this is the point, your readers aren’t monitoring alleged violations, they’re watching the games.
publicly said Cecil’s actions were unacceptable. Well, duh!
Well put, sir.
SEC commissioner Mike Slive says the NCAA made the right decision. Yeah, pretty convenient for his league to not lose its best player while pursuing another national title. Not to mention that NCAA investigations which typically take years to complete suddenly made a quick, favorable ruling for Newton.
Good point, I have to admit. That was lightning fast. Although, on that last sentence, you say ‘NCAA investigations’ made a ruling. Which is just bad writing.
It seems every time a layer is peeled away from CamGate, the odor becomes more intense.
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400617/gene-frenette/2010-12-04/gene-frenette-heisman-vote-against-cam-newton
After more agonizing over my Heisman Trophy choice than at any time in 24 years, there’s no doubt that Cam Newton deserves the award based solely on his on-field performance.
So vote for him. Unless you’ve uncovered some damning evidence.
The dual-threat Auburn quarterback, a super-sized Tim Tebow, blows the field away. His 2010 numbers are as powerful and impressive as any in recent memory.
Indeed.
But since the Heisman Trust ask its voters to recognize the “outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity,” I’m duty-bound to honor that newly instituted integrity clause.
What is it with sportswriters and the whole integrity-of-the-game thing? They’re a lower form of homo sapiens whose collective judgment can be swayed by the quality of the shrimp on the pre-game spread. Also, unless fans are devotees of the rival team, they don’t give a fuck about the NCAA’s insanely specific and arcane recruiting rules.
I’m sorry, Auburn fans, but after the NCAA confirmed from its investigation this week that Newton’s father, Cecil, solicited his son
I think ‘offered his son’ would be a better phrasing, unless you’re intentionally trying to evoke a prostitution vibe.
in a pay-for-play scheme to attend Mississippi State, that’s a game-changer for this voter. I cannot, in good conscience, put Newton on my ballot, though he may still win the Heisman in a runaway.
It doesn’t matter if the other 924 voters agree, or if I must go on that limb alone,
You brave, solitary soul, you
it’s impossible for me to ignore that Cam — however impressive he’s been in leading Auburn to a perfect season — had a father engage in a despicable auction for his services.
Please, spare me the self-righteous indignation.
Who, me? I think, it’s you, Geno, who is wallowing in self-righteousness. The ruling body gave Cam its blessing. If you know something they don’t, let’s hear it.
The “integrity” clause is purely subjective, to be interpreted as each voter deems fit.
So I could vote against a Notre Dame candidate because I think Catholics lack integrity? Never mind, Notre Dame doesn’t get great players anymore.
Others may be fine with voting for Newton because the NCAA says it couldn’t find evidence that Cam knew of his father’s scam, and that is their call. My colleagues are entitled to that view without me ridiculing them for it.
Before the NCAA reinstated Newton, I was willing to not let what happened two years ago at Florida — the purchase of a stolen computer or multiple cheating allegations that Cam never denied — eliminate him from consideration. A lot of growing up takes place between the ages of 19-21.
Until more evidence from the investigation surfaced, I didn’t want to penalize Newton for actions that took place two schools ago.
I’m puzzled at this point, Geno. You’re willing to give him a pass for transgressions at Florida that are unproven, but this current thing is … what? Proven in a court of law?
Though the NCAA hasn’t found him in violation of its rules yet, the Southeastern Conference, whose leader is obsessed about erasing its cheating reputation,
WTF? Cheating reputation? The SEC ain’t a conclave of monks, but it’s no worse than the other big conferences. Also, and this is the point, your readers aren’t monitoring alleged violations, they’re watching the games.
publicly said Cecil’s actions were unacceptable. Well, duh!
Well put, sir.
SEC commissioner Mike Slive says the NCAA made the right decision. Yeah, pretty convenient for his league to not lose its best player while pursuing another national title. Not to mention that NCAA investigations which typically take years to complete suddenly made a quick, favorable ruling for Newton.
Good point, I have to admit. That was lightning fast. Although, on that last sentence, you say ‘NCAA investigations’ made a ruling. Which is just bad writing.
It seems every time a layer is peeled away from CamGate, the odor becomes more intense.
Like this column.
Given what is now known beyond dispute, it’s impossible for me not to penalize Cam for his father’s sins.
Where to start? Let’s go with what’s known beyond dispute, which is not a damn thing. Your smug sportswriter is relying on the NCAA, and within a month he will write a column about the organization’s sinister secrecy. And penalize the son for the sins of the father? Are we in Talmud class?
Is it not that way in real life? If a father breaks the law and goes to jail, do not his children suffer in lost income and lost quality time?
Oy vey. But if the father goes to jail, they don’t take away the Pop Warner MVP award the kid earns in his absence.
Think about Southern Cal’s football team. The Trojans are now suffering with NCAA probation for violations committed five years ago by Reggie Bush, who gave back his Heisman to avoid the embarrassment of having it stripped away.
Irrelevant sidebar.
It’s been documented
(meaning some hack sportswriter printed a rumor)
that Cam Newton wanted to go play for Dan Mullen at Mississippi State before his father steered him toward Auburn. Does the NCAA really think we’re so naïve that Cam didn’t have suspicions about why Dad wanted to go against his wishes?
You might argue that’s taking an unfair leap in a conspiracy theory,
(raising my hand urgently to be counted for this)
but for me, it passes the beyond-reasonable-doubt test. Cam had to know, or at least suspect, Dad was dirty.
Maybe, but that's quite an assumption. I’m going to assume Gene Frenette drowns puppies while watching cockfights.
So for that reason, my Heisman ballot, in order, will be:
If your ballot isn’t topped by Newton, no one cares.
Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon, Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore and Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. I know Blackmon is not high on everybody’s Heisman Watch list, but the nation’s top wideout excelled against better competition than Moore or Luck.
There’ll be no regret on my part if Newton wins the Heisman and gets to keep it.
Wha?! You won’t be filled with bitter sportswriter rage? Why have I been reading this piece?
Hey, I’m just trying to follow the Heisman rule about integrity. The person who should be sorry is Cecil Newton.
Or you. You should be ashamed.
He’s the one who put his son in a bad spot.
So the son should pay. Good thing for Cam his father didn’t blind some dude.
Given what is now known beyond dispute, it’s impossible for me not to penalize Cam for his father’s sins.
Where to start? Let’s go with what’s known beyond dispute, which is not a damn thing. Your smug sportswriter is relying on the NCAA, and within a month he will write a column about the organization’s sinister secrecy. And penalize the son for the sins of the father? Are we in Talmud class?
Is it not that way in real life? If a father breaks the law and goes to jail, do not his children suffer in lost income and lost quality time?
Oy vey. But if the father goes to jail, they don’t take away the Pop Warner MVP award the kid earns in his absence.
Think about Southern Cal’s football team. The Trojans are now suffering with NCAA probation for violations committed five years ago by Reggie Bush, who gave back his Heisman to avoid the embarrassment of having it stripped away.
Irrelevant sidebar.
It’s been documented
(meaning some hack sportswriter printed a rumor)
that Cam Newton wanted to go play for Dan Mullen at Mississippi State before his father steered him toward Auburn. Does the NCAA really think we’re so naïve that Cam didn’t have suspicions about why Dad wanted to go against his wishes?
You might argue that’s taking an unfair leap in a conspiracy theory,
(raising my hand urgently to be counted for this)
but for me, it passes the beyond-reasonable-doubt test. Cam had to know, or at least suspect, Dad was dirty.
Maybe, but that's quite an assumption. I’m going to assume Gene Frenette drowns puppies while watching cockfights.
So for that reason, my Heisman ballot, in order, will be:
If your ballot isn’t topped by Newton, no one cares.
Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon, Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore and Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. I know Blackmon is not high on everybody’s Heisman Watch list, but the nation’s top wideout excelled against better competition than Moore or Luck.
There’ll be no regret on my part if Newton wins the Heisman and gets to keep it.
Wha?! You won’t be filled with bitter sportswriter rage? Why have I been reading this piece?
Hey, I’m just trying to follow the Heisman rule about integrity. The person who should be sorry is Cecil Newton.
Or you. You should be ashamed.
He’s the one who put his son in a bad spot.
So the son should pay. Good thing for Cam his father didn’t blind some dude.
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