Newton: Regular College Kid or Criminal?



Cam Newton has since left Auburn after
controversy surrounded him.

Anyone who's been in college can relate to the story of Auburn's star quarterback and former Heisman candidate, Cam Newton. Newton left Auburn University this past week in reaction to allegations that there were attempts by someone close to Newton to solicit money from Mississippi State.

Newton started his collegiate career at the University of Florida and left the institution after being charged with stealing a laptop. According to FoxSports.com, Newton also faced charges of academic cheating at the University in three separate instances and decided to transfer before he was punished for his apparent actions. Newton apparently cheated in class his freshman year, violating the honor code, and turned in two papers which were not written by him his sophomore year at Florida.

Newton then transferred to Blinn College in Texas for a short stint before he was recruited by Auburn University. Other universities attempted to persuade Newton to their schools, such as Mississippi State, but were unsuccessful. Now, the Heisman candidate's past is finally catching up with him. Most college students know someone who has cheated or have done it themselves. Let's be honest, around finals when you have 10+ page papers for four of seven classes and you're also juggling being an active student on campus, having someone write one of those papers for you is an appealing idea.

Don't turn your nose up at me like that! You know you've done it to, whether it was a little earlier (some people start in grammar school) or you've cut corners in some other areas such as your career, everybody's taken short cuts. Newton is just in an unfortunate position because he was caught.

This is just another example of how college athletes aren't taken care of while in college. College athletes are constantly put under an insurmountable amount of pressure with classes, their respective sport and searching for money to support themselves. Some athletes are provided with a full ride which sounds appealing, especially to the broke student working multiple jobs and picking up double shifts while still being able to only afford Ramen Noodle packs to eat on a daily basis (if it sounds like I'm speaking from experience, you're right, I'm going through it now).

Sure, college athletes could constantly call home and beg their parents for money but there's usually an amount of pride that comes along in college when you want to survive on your own two feet and be a man. Of course these athletes could get a job to pay for certain expenses, but it's no fun not getting any sleep at all during the week. Trust me, I know.

I'm curious to know the truth behind the "stolen laptop" story. If Newton wasn't already provided with a laptop by the University of Florida as a student with so much potential, shame on the University. Considering how highly the Auburn athletic director and coach speak of Newton, (seen here) I seriously doubt he would steal a laptop for any reason besides needing the extra money or needing one himself. This young guy is a victim of circumstances and is now being nailed to the cross for a few mistakes he's made.

The allegations of soliciting money from Mississippi State is nothing new in college sports. Athletes are lured to universities with money in the form of a full scholarship and all expenses paid for while some go even further and offer cold cash, jewelry and even cars. Mississippi State lost the bid for Newton after promising him an undisclosed amount of money and is retaliating by releasing this information.

Reports that Newton's father accepted money from Mississippi State through the church's account where he's a pastor is the REAL story. With the corruptions of the Black church being revealed daily, this is just another instance of a crooked pastor trying to get the most out of a situation and I COMPLETELY believe this allegation. It's the story of a money hungry college athlete who's being guided by his money hungry parent who will pursue top dollar at any cost. Does this sound familiar *COUGH LeBron COUGH*. Wow, excuse me.

Until all of the facts come out and Newton and his father actually address the allegations, my mind is made up on three things. Newton is an innocent college kid who is desperate for money, his father is a crooked pastor who's trying to get the most out of his son's success and this isn't the first or last time this will happen in college sports....the trend continues.