Cam Newton and a Lack of Respect.

Tonight the Auburn Tigers are the SEC champions.  The handily defeated South Caronlina.  Tomorrows ESPN stories should be all images of them winning.  Highlights of the success on the field.  Talk of how dominant they looked in the game.  While that will be part of the coverage,  there will be something else too. 

Cam Newton started the after game press conference by saying he would only be talking about the game; nothing else.  He will continue to stay silent on all the questions surrounding him and his family.  And by doing so he will continue the speculation.  There will never be a better time to address the situation.   If Newton is as innocent as Auburn and the SEC want us to believe why not speak to us?  You have over a month until the BCS National Championship Game.  If Auburn wants the focus of that game to be about football address the situation with the public.  By staying quiet they are, in a way, acknowledging that it might not be over.  They don't want Newton to say anything to a reporter that could in any way impact his ability to play. He could slip up explaining things and admit to some sort of knowledge of his fathers activities.  Our question is simply: if he has told the truth, and will continue to do so, what is the problem?

You may say why should he talk to the press? He has told the NCAA all he knows.  Perhaps in a perfect world he wouldn't half too.  In a perfect world we would all take his word and move on.  In a perfect world this whole situation could have been avoided.  The world isn't perfect.  As long as Newton refuses to talk about any of this he will be in doubt.  Next week he will most likely win the Heisman trophy.  If he does this subject will still be talked about when the clips from the ceremony are shown.   If Newton truly wants to put the past in the past and move on, he must talk to the press.

Auburn has for years said the world was against them.  That no one wanted them to win a national championship; that's why they didn't get to go to the game in 2004.  Before the Newton scandal it sounded like hubris.  Now it sounds true.  The continued arrogance of the program to refuse to talk about Newtons situation, but require everyone else to reserve judgment, is upsetting many fans.  Not to mention fans from TCU or Wisconsin who feel they have been robbed a fair shot at a championship. 

The truth is simple.  If a man truly wants redemption for his actions he must face what he has done.  How did Michael Vick start his road back to acceptance?  With an apology.  Newton nor Cecil has apologized for anything.  They haven't said two words on the subject.  Being treated with respect is a two way street.  If Newton and Auburn want the respect of the country they must show that respect to the fans and press as well.