Who to Blame?

First it was Reggie Bush and now it is Auburn’s Cam Newton having accusations brought on that there may have been money exchanged with an agent and the school on the behave of recruiting Newton to Mississippi State.  Why is this surfacing now? Could it be because he is one of the best college players right now and is in the running to receive the Heisman?

Illegal recruiting is on the front burner in college sports as the Reggie Bush case just left the headlines and now the Newton case is coming up. Bush was accused of receiving money and gifts from two agents while he was at USC. There was evidence and the school was put on probation. Both Bush and USC gave back their Heisman that Bush won in 2005. My question is whom shall we blame for the actions of agents and athletes communicating before they are suppose to.

I think that the blame lies on both the athlete and the agents. Athletes are given the rules from the NCAA when they enter college on recruiting. The NCAA’s bylaw simply states that an athlete or their friends and family are not suppose to accept money or gifts from an agent while in school. Athletes are not to sign with an agent verbally or in writing while still playing for the school.

This can be a challenge for athletes when there are agents pouring gifts and money over these top players in order to have the first pick of these players when they enter in to the league. Agents do not get into trouble like the school or athlete when this rule is broken. I think this is wrong as well. Agents should have some consequences for breaking a law that they know exist. It’s all about money and media exposure for every party in the situation of college sports. Agents go after these top athletes and the athletes buckle under the money and gifts being thrown at them. Most athletes come from lower income families and yes they get a free ride to school but who does not want extra money. The athletes cannot work but are working for the school by winning them championships. The schools are making millions off of them but they do get any of it.  So when they get free stuff and extra money why would they not take it?  Most athletes live in the moment and do not think what could happen if they get caught. And really can they trust these agents? I do place blame on the athletes though because I feel they are adults and they know what is right and wrong. I feel that their time will come so they should just get their free education that they are lucky to be receiving, and work towards that next level being the League where they will make way more then what these agents are giving them to just sign a paper. Now the blame is mostly on the agent as well as the schools. The schools know what is going on especially the coaches but nothing is said because they do not want to have to sit their top player on the bench and take the chance of losing a game. It is sad that for most colleges it seems that sports, especially football and basketball are the important factors of the school. This is where their money comes from with games, fans, and apparel. This is where the school puts most their money as well, in the athletic departments. Agents need to be watched more by the coaches and school as well as the NCAA.  Agents need to feel the pain of breaking the rules just like the other parties involved. But it seems that these agents just slip under the rope and head to their next victim.

I hope that Newton is telling the truth that he had nothing to do with the accusations and that he can continue to focus on winning games and getting the Heisman.  Only time will tell.