The Cam Newton investigation has further-reaching implications than just this weekend's Auburn-Georgia game or the Iron Bowl. Heisman Trophy chatter site Stiff Arm Trophy polled a sample of the award's voting body, and heard back from 58 members, roughly 79% of whom said the various allegations swirling around Cam Newton wouldn't sway their voting.
Which is all very interesting, but not nearly as interesting as the reasons several of them expressed:
[A] number of voters shared the sentiment expressed by Fanhouse's Brett McMurphy (a Florida voter): "These are still only allegations. What happened to innocent until proven guilty?"
Nothing happened to it. It's still there. But unless the FBI's involvement in this case continues and deepens, nobody in Cam Newton's case is on trial. Nor is Cam entitled to due process: Recall that based on their own bylaws, the NCAA would be perfectly within bounds to recommend suspension based on the actions of Cecil Newton or another third party alone, even if Cam had no prior knowledge.
[The] Oregonian's John Hunt said, "The Heisman Trust may see fit to take a trophy away, but it's not our place to judge players' character - just what they do on the field."
That's nice -- only it is their place. The very first sentence of the Heisman Trophy Trust mission statement reads:
The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity.
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