Wow. I'll go ahead and apologize if I go off while writing but I'm coming off the heals of a nationally televised beatdown. Going into the game I knew Auburn was overall a better team but I didn't think it was going to be that bad. I knew Cam Newton was a good quarterback but that game seemed to separate him from all others.
One thing you can't overlook with Cam is his love for the game. Outside of all the scrutiny, alegations, past trouble, he cannot hide how much he loves the game. To have a player like that on your side makes it more fun to be a fan (but then again to be undefeated always makes it more fun.) Also it goes to show you how parents can ruin sports for their kids. I know Cam was in trouble at Florida and was probably going to get kicked out anyway. I know that many of you say that there's no way he didn't know about the money his dad was asking for, I'm not sure I wouldn't agree with you, BUT outside of all that there is NO denying that the kid loves the game and his attitude makes others around him love the game. We KNOW one thing, his dad admits to taking money. There isn't evidence YET (according to the admission of the NCAA) that Cam KNEW about the exchange of money but after watching tonights game and watching my gamecocks fall for the 2nd time this year you can tell he loves the game. Being involved in youth sports growing up and now running a youth sports organization I see it all the time. I see parents who are trying to live a dream through their kids, in hopes that ONE day they will make it big. In the process they ruin the FUN for their kid and in return we create leagues that quit keeping score...that's fun.
I will say that out of the loss it was good to see a KID with a big smile enjoying the game of football. It was hard to see him playing around on the sideline, seemingly not taking the game serious, not respecting the game, not acting like "you've been there before" but then again outside of any unforseen circumstance this will be his LAST run through the college football ranks, off to the pros next year. Enjoy the ride Cam, whether you have to return the wins and heisman trophy one day no one knows yet but for now enjoy it, smile big and have fun.
Carolina congratulations. Congratulations on a great season. Honestly it will be a season that will be remembered by Gamecock fans for awhile. Also, congratulations to paving the way for another opponent that claimed the Heisman trophy against your defense. We have a knack for that or at least it seems, (Tebow '07, 302 passing, 120 rushing, 7 TD's, Mark Ingram '09, 246 yds rushing, Cam Newton '10 335 yds passing, 73 yds rushing, 6 TD's). The NCAA ruled Cam ineligible on Tuesday then reinstated him on Wednesday, but what didn't they know on Tuesday that they knew on Wednesday or vice versa? From recent NCAA rulings we know that the NCAA works best as a REACTIVE governing body than a PROACTIVE. Worst case scenario will be that they will come back with information months/years down the road and take away wins and/or trophies. The NCAA's reaction time on making a decision is like me trying to hit a Roger Clemens fastball (but then again i guess the competitive advantage a team gains by a person such as Cam is worth the risk if they can produce results because there's no way anyone can prove he knew about the rule breaking, just use this phrase "MIS-REMEMBERED", sorry getting a little emotional). I will say let's HOPE for the sake of college football that it's a mistake by his father, and Cam had nothing to do with it and all achievements and awards can be enjoyed by the player, his coaches and his team. Congratulations to both teams on a great regular season.
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