Of course, as a UF alumnus, I hate Auburn, and, of course, I hate Cameron Newton (in a strictly football sense of course).
Newton has been criticized for a lot of things that are potentially disastrous to his career.
Most obvious is this whole issue of the alleged illegal signing activity, which was worth about $200,000.
The issues that have me burning inside, and consequentially want me to see Newton’s career burn as well, are his actions while he was at UF.
Newton was found to have stolen a laptop just before he left for junior college. Last time I checked, any theft more than $300 is a felony.
Now more recently are allegations he cheated as a student.
Isn’t it a little strange a felon and a cheater is a contender for the Heisman and is on full scholarship?
It’s a slap in the face to every student who doesn’t commit felony theft and doesn’t cheat in college that such behavior is tolerated simply because he’s good at sports.
The message the NCAA is clearly showing is if you’re an awesome football player, you’re above the law other students have to abide by.
Had I done any of this, not only would UF have expelled me, but my entire career and reputation would have been jeopardized.
Not only should Newton not be playing football, he should not be allowed in college. Newton should be working at McDonald’s for the rest of his life so he, along with all the other student athletes, can learn they aren’t above the rules.
The NCAA has violated everything honest, hard-working students and people strive for.
It shows no regard for the rest of the public who are, in some respects, killing themselves to become doctors, lawyers and businessmen and women. If it has any respect for anybody, the NCAA would suspend Newton and force him out of a scholarship.
I’m sick and tired of athletes thinking they are kings.
But perhaps the greatest problem is how we make them kings.
There is no better time to make an example of what we expect our athletic role models to be than right now.
