Craig Ruttle / AP Photo
There was never any doubt that Cam Newton was the best college football player in the country this season. He threw for 2,589 yards and 28 touchdowns and rushed for 1,409 yards and another 20 touchdowns. But that did not prevent many people from seeing his Heisman Trophy victory last night as a travesty. Though Newton, the quarterback from Auburn, received 82.2 percent of the first-place votes, he was left off 105 ballots in protest because of an NCAA investigation. When he was being recruited last year, his father allegedly marketed Newton in what is known as a pay-to-play scheme, which is illegal under NCAA rules. But there has been nothing to prove so far that Auburn or Newton knew anything about it. If Newton is eventually implicated, he might have to return the trophy, like 2005 Heisman winner Reggie Bush. For the time being, however, Newton is not concerned. When asked about it last night, he answered, "Two letters for you, my friend, 'No.'”