Posted by thesportsfag in College Football on December 4, 2010
USC Athletic Director Pat Haden spoke out Wednesday regarding the NCAA reinstating Auburn quarterback Cam Newton’s eligibility. For Haden, it was a rush to judgement that would’ve made FOX News proud.
USC AD Pat Haden
We’ve all known book smart people who lack basic common sense, right? Well you can place Haden, a Rhodes Scholar and lawyer, who played quarterback for the Trojans and professionally for the Los Angeles Rams, in that dubious category.
In all fairness to Haden he was probably contacted for his reaction moments after the eligibility decision was announced. I doubt Haden had time to review the findings or the decision before he spoke out. Like I always say if someone tells you 2+2=5, you’re missing some information.
Haden’s Statement
“In the Reggie Bush case, when the parent [did] something inappropriate the kid and the school suffered. I was always told the parent is the child. That’s what we’ve been telling our kids. If the parent does something inappropriate the child suffers the consequences.” USC AD Pat Haden
You’d think a Rhodes Scholar would’ve mastered common-sense concepts like fact gathering, knowing no two situations are never alike and not rushing to judgement.
Cam Newton at practice
Bush v. Newton
Here are the factual differences between the Reggie Bush imbroglio and the alleged pay-for-play Cam Newton saga.
Fact: Reggie Bush and his family received improper benefits.
Fact: There’s no proof that either Cam Newton or his family received any improper benefits….yet.
Fact: Reggie Bush lied several times when questioned about improper benefits and was about as uncooperative as a person can be.
Fact: After initial denials, Cam’s father, Cecil, reportedly has cooperated with NCAA investigators.
Fact: Reggie Bush knew his family was living in a rent-free house.
Fact: Not only is there no proof of payment to Newton’s family, but also there’s no evidence that Cam was aware of any pay-for-play scheme his father was allegedly seeking.
Fact: Due process in the Reggie Bush investigation took years.
Fact: The NCAA has been investigating the Cecil Newton pay-for-play allegations for six months.
Fact: USC won the BCS and AP 2004 national championships with an ineligible player.
Fact: Auburn and Utah both finished undefeated in 2004.
No two situations are ever alike. To that point, Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president for academic and membership affairs, regarding the Newton decision:
“In determining how a violation impacts a student-athlete’s eligibility, we must consider the young person’s responsibility. Based on the information available to the reinstatement staff at this time, we do not have sufficient evidence that Cam Newton or anyone from Auburn was aware of this activity.”
Don’t let the facts get in the way of your rush to judgement.
Orville Redenbacher Moment
Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee, whose ignorance on the subject of football got him in hot water last week, apologized this week.
What do I know about college football? I look like Orville Redenbacher. I have no business talking about college football.
Pat Haden has no business talking about a situation he clearly knows nothing about. It’s his Orville Redenbacher moment. We all make mistakes, it’s how we atone for mistakes that fashion our character.
Don’t misunderstand me…I’m not saying that something shady didn’t go down with Cecil Newton. I’m just saying that until something is proven you can’t take away Cam’s eligibility.
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