Cam Newton - All Controversy, No Consequence

The world of college football is seldom without sensational drama and 2010 is no exception. Auburn University quarterback Cam Newton, the only name being mentioned in the Heisman Trophy race, is embroiled in college football's latest soap opera. An associate of Mississippi State University, allegedly, reported being approached by a someone claiming to be able to secure Newton's signature on a Letter of Intent for $180,000. Multiple reports in the mainstream sports media outlets placed Newton's "going rate" at $200,000 and additional reports state that Newton eventually committed to Auburn because "the money was too much".

I could delve into a dissertation about the balance between the privileges received by college athletes juxtaposed against the millions of dollars of revenue and profit that major college football programs such as Auburn bring in because of the efforts of student athletes, particularly stars like Newton. Instead, I would prefer to point out some convenient truths for universities, athletes, and intermediaries, such as boosters, runners, and agents, that engage in the practices alleged involving Newton.

Auburn University quarterback Cam Newton

Convenient Truth #1 - Everybody does it.

This is not the first time, nor will it be the last, that a major school nor a star student-athlete is involved in possible recruiting violations. This story is the latest and is of more interest to the public because it involves college football's best player and a team that is on a collision course with the University of Oregon to play for the BCS Championship. Neither Auburn nor Newton will bare a permanent scarlet letter because of the alleged events.

Convenient Truth #2 - Nobody gives a damn.

People watch college football to be entertained. Newton has made Auburn's season very entertaining. There are fans of teams, such as my alma-mater, Auburn's Southeastern Conference rival Louisiana State University, that may take exception to possibly being "cheated". However the the game is played on the field. The idea that my team, or any team, is "really the better team" because of NCAA bureaucracy, in my opinion, is grasping at straws. If Newton in fact, is found to be ineligible, it will likely happen well after the football season is over. The NCAA investigation process has always been a deliberate and slow one. There will not be a rapid-fire resolution to this controversy.

The worst case scenario for Auburn is that it wins the National Championship, Cam Newton wins the Heisman trophy, and Newton is found to be ineligible. If that happens, the NCAA will likely vacate all of Auburn's wins in which Newton played. That's right! Those games never happened! And Newton, like Reggie Bush, may have to give back his Heisman. That way, the entire country will forget that Newton ever won the award! That will fix everything.

Convenient Truth #3 - It will happen again.

It does not matter what violations Auburn University and Cam Newton are found guilty of. No laws were broken. Newton will likely make millions of dollars in the NFL and Auburn will recover and continue to pack Jordan Hare Stadium and rake in millions annually. Other schools will break the rules in the future. Some will get away with it; some will not. The reward far outweighs the risk and, even if caught, the penalties imposed by the NCAA are simply a cost, for the violating schools, of conducting the business of running a college football program. The revenues will also outweigh the expenses.

These truths are quite convenient for those taking a walk on the wild side of college football's recruiting rules. It would be inconvenient if violations were a rarity, the violations angered the public and hurt violating programs, and if future violations were deterred. This is not the case. Any school choosing to break the rules can conveniently rest, assured of the aforementioned conveniences. Major college football needs to decide whether it wants to be a league of gifted amateur student athletes or a semi-pro farm system for the National Football League. Until then, its integrity will be compromised, but that compromise will be conveniently overlooked.