Cam Newton’s Silence: Innocence Or Something Else?

Much of college football continues to watch the Cam Newton story play out.  Probably none more than those ardent football fans down on the plain in Auburn.  But the Cam Newton camp stays mostly quiet.  Is this telling us something?

First, I want to comment on something I have seen in print mutliple times that just ABSOLUTELY DOESN”T MATTER.  Several articles have talked about, as if defending Cam, that he knew nothing about any conversations that his dad or anyone else had with Mississippi State.  Let me say it once more  “It doesn’t matter”.  The NCAA rules are very clear.  If a player or someone on behalf of a player, solicits payment, it is a violation.

So, while Cam may not have known, if his father, or anyone else, did in fact have those conversations, it’s over.  Guilty, end of story.  And so I look at the relative silence from Cam and his team and ask “What does it mean?”.

Well, to me, it plain and simple means one thing.  His father did in fact have those conversations.  And knowing the glacier speed at which the NCAA moves, I am guessing that his group is just trying to get through the season and pray for the NFL draft to hurry up.

Which begs another question.  Why are the athletes and coaches who break the rules allowed to just move on and enjoy money and popularity in the NFL without any consequences?  I understand that the NCAA and NFL are two totally independent organizations.  But will Auburn be any different than USC with the Reggie Bush mess if this proves to be true?  Newton will have moved on and the program (and the athletes who remain behind) will suffer.

I think that it’s time for the NCAA and the NFL to consider working together on this issue.  Now my guess is that the NFL wants to stay very clear of this.  But ultimately without some kind of significant impact on the player (or coach), as long as they can move on to the next level without consequences, then nothing will ever change.

I am an SEC fan and I will hate it if Auburn wins a National Championship only to have it revoked.  But I am afraid that I see the handwriting on the wall.