The only real suspense about this year's Heisman Trophy presentation wasn't whether Auburn QB Cam Newton would win, but by how much... and it was a landslide. Newton absolutely dominated college football this year and has led his Tigers to the National Championship Game. He is Auburn's third Heisman trophy winner.
Newton's numbers in 2010 really were staggering. He accounted for 59 touchdowns this season, throwing for 28, rushing for 20 and even catching one. He threw for 2,589 yards and ran for another 1,409. He created more touchdowns himself than 89 full division one teams did this season. Only nine other players rushed for more yards than Newton did this season.
The questions about what has gone on off the field with Newton are worth exploring. We've all heard the allegations about his dad demanding six figures from colleges to get Cam to attend. For now the NCAA has not found that Cam himself had anything to do with that... but either way, it doesn't really change the fact that he was legitimately the best player in college football this year. He's the deserving winner for what he's done on the field. We can only hope that in a few years we don't find out more and see him have to give up his trophy like Reggie Bush did,
Newton's father did not attend the presentation so as to not attract undue attention to what he did and take away from Cam's night. Newton was asked during the broadcast how he felt about his dad not being there after he had been the guy helping Cam and pushing him to improve himself all his life.
"I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt, it hurts me a lot" Newton said.
While his dad should probably be ashamed of his own actions, he should be pretty proud of his son. Newton did thank his father onstage moments after accepting his Heisman Trophy. Ironically he did say "My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed." We get what he meant, but it was still an odd thing to say given the allegations around his dad.