HP Heisman Voters Discuss Cam Newton

4 Responses to HP Heisman Voters Discuss Cam Newton

1. 

   John M. November 11, 2010 at 9:20 am #

   Even more than finding that Newton was guilty of allegations after receiving the Heisman might discrredit the trophy; those who consider unvalidated information to change their vote will irreparably damage any credibility of the Heisman standing.

   The process was not sullied by what Reggie Bush did. The process worked as it was supposed to. That is why there is an unclaimed Heisman for that year. The real world recognizes that Bush did win that trophy, regardless of background noise.

   Considering the accusations sullies the reputations, and credibility of those voting. Each person who uses an allegation as a reason to change their vote for the Heisman should have their Heisman vote permanently stripped from them.

   The stain is on voters who do not honor the constitutional right of a player to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Like the television review of a play, there should be indisputable evidence of guilt before they are allowed to consider that in their Heisman vote.

   The vote is for the best player period. As long as a player is considered eligible to play, anyone who acknowledges that the allegations will influence their vote should be ineligible for this vote, just as members of a jury are dismissed when prejudice is made apparent.

   Keep the Heisman clean by disqualifying the votes of anyone who has already made a decision based on allegations. The voters are rolling the Heisman in mud, and not even aware that it is their own creditability being dragged down, and that they are taking the Heisman down with them.

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2. 

   Ed Newman November 11, 2010 at 9:28 am #

   Indisputable evidence is not the standard I would use. A preponderance of evidence is a better standard. We are not talking about sending the kid to jail here. It is an award. An important award, but still an award. And nobody has a god-given right to it. Let’s stop assigning criminal trial evidence rights to everyday life. The only place you’re guaranteed to be assumed innocent until proven guilty, even in this country, is in a court of law.

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3. 

   Chris in Reno November 11, 2010 at 2:37 pm #

   It is NOT the role of Heisman voters to make judgments as to issues of elligibiliy. That is the responsibility of the academic institution and subject to NCAA enforcement/ investigation.

   I think the voters must assume eligibility of all rostered players. The voters then cast their ballots based on what is observable on the football field.

   If voters try to factor in issues outside of athletic achievement, both of voters and the athletes become vulnerable to to unsubstantiated claims than any unscroupulous or malicious group/individual may dream up. Instead of positive campaigning, the Heisman trophy race would become the target of negative campaigning (smear tactics) and descend to the level of a farce.

   Chris
   Reno, NV

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4. 

   Roby November 11, 2010 at 2:47 pm #

   Please tell me where in the Constitution it says that every man has the right to any Heisman trophy vote. “Innocent until proven guilty” is a term used in the American Judicial system. Voters have the right to consider character, and that is a fact. Read the Heisman charter.

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