2010 Heisman Trophy Ceremony: Cecil Newton Will Not Attend

UPDATE: Cecil Newton has announced he will not attend Saturday night's Heisman Trophy ceremony. In a statement released by his lawyer to USA Today, Newton said in all-caps glory:

THE EVENTS TO TAKE PLACE IN NEW YORK AT THE HEISMAN TROPHY CEREMONY THIS WEEKEND SERVE AS A CROWNING MOMENT FOR THE ATHELETS AND THEIR FAMILIES ALIKE.

FOR ALL OF MY FIFTY YEARS OF LIFE, COUPLED WITH 25 YEARS OF MARRIAGE, I HAVE MADE AN EXHAUSTING ATTEMPT TO BE A GOOD HUSBAND, FATHER, AND GENERALLY A GOOD PERSON OF INTEGRITY. THE PAST 60 DAYS HAVE CAUSED ALL THAT MY FAMILY WORKED TO ACCOMPLISH TO COME INTO QUESTION.

SO THAT MY SON CAM NEWTON CAN RECEIVE ALL THE HONORS AND CONGRAGULATIONS THAT HE HAS WORKED SO HARD TO ACCOMPLISH WIHTOUT DISTRACTION, I HAVE DECIDED NOT TO BE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE HEISMAN CEREMONY; AS IT WILL PERHAPS ROB CAM AND THE EVENT OF A SACRED MOMENT.

WITH DEEPEST RESPECT,

CECIL NEWTON

/UPDATE

With all the controversy surrounding his role in his son’s recruitment at Mississippi State and Auburn, you’d be forgiven for thinking Cecil Newton may want to avoid drawing attention to himself during the Heisman Trophy presentation on Saturday. Nope.

According to ESPN’s Bruce Feldman, Cam Newton’s father will be seated in the player’s section. Cecil Newton’s name appears on an attendee list turned in by Auburn.

Last year’s Heisman Trophy event also featured a father angle for ESPN to latch onto, as Alabama Crimson Tide RB Mark Ingram’s dad followed the ceremony from prison. No, Auburn fan, I didn’t just equate taking money with asking for money. I’m just saying the Heisman Trophy show will be all about the winner’s father for the second-straight year.

The elder Newton has been accused by various Mississippi State personnel and associates of asking Bulldogs coaches for money in return for his son’s commitment. On Thursday Cam Newton denied speaking about the investigation with his father.