Barnhart Discusses Cam Newton Situation and Heisman Race

  FedEx Chairman Fred Smith, Forrest Gump Author Winston Groom and

John Walters from AOL Fanhouse Join the Show as Guests

CBS College Sports Network's THE TONY BARNHART SHOW PRESENTED BY BASS PRO SHOPS, a weekly one-hour primetime college football talk show, features FedEx Chairman, President and CEO Fred Smith, Forrest Gump Author Winston Groom and AOL Fanhouse's John Walters on Tuesday, Nov. 9 (9:00 PM, ET). 

 "Mr. College Football" Tony Barnhart hosts the show along with analyst Brian Jones. The hard-hitting program debates and analyzes the hot topics and issues facing college football both on and off-the-field.  The show airs Tuesday's at 9:00 PM, ET throughout the season and features a variety of high-profile guests from the college football community, including coaches, administrators, writers, broadcasters and former players to the program.   

Mike Aresco serves as Executive Producer. Tyler Hale and Stefan Van Engen produce.

The following are excerpts from the show:

BARNHART: Could just the possibility of a scandal down the road cost Cam Newton some votes for the Heisman Trophy, which will be awarded on December 11th? In my opinion it shouldn't. I have a Heisman vote and based on Newton's play on the field, where he has been responsible for 35 touchdowns, I would cast my ballot for him if it was due today. No single player in college football has had a greater impact on his team this season than Newton has had on Auburn, which is 10-0 and ranked No. 2 in the BCS Standings.

Here is the reality: over 900 people vote on the Heisman and there will be those who won't vote for Newton simply because there might be an issue down the road. They don't want to see another Heisman "give-back." But that my friends, is fundamentally unfair. If there is evidence that Newton or his family or school broke the rules, then I could understand that point of view. But right now there is none. The kid said he did nothing wrong. Until we have some evidence to the contrary, we have to take him at his word.

...Yes, it is the biggest single award in college football, but it's not more important than fundamental fairness. If Newton wins the Heisman Trophy by his performance on the field...and then eventually has to give it back, then so be it. At least there was a process. At least he wasn't punished before the fact. That's not fair. And more importantly, it's not right.

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