Cam Newton is arguably the most talented football player in all of college football this season. But with a number of questions about how he got to Auburn and allegations that his father Cecil talked with a former Mississippi State player about wanting money to sign there has cast a shadow on the Auburn star.
Heisman voters get their ballots this week and the Auburn quarterback, who should be the prohibitive favorite for the award, is giving pause to some casting ballots. Such is not the case for popular sports talk show host Dan Sileo.
Sileo who for the past dozen years has been hosting one of the country’s highest rated morning shows at Tampa’s “The Sports Animal 620 AM,” in the heart of SEC country. He was a defensive lineman for Jimmy Johnson’s Miami Hurricanes and then had a brief NFL career with Tampa Bay, Detroit and Dallas before injuries cut his career short.
I spoke to Sileo about his vote and Newton.
Sileo on his Heisman vote: Look I am proud to be a Heisman voter and I take my vote seriously. Before hosting my morning show in Tampa, I was on KNBR in San Francisco and followed PAC 10 football and I really spend as much time watching as many college games as possible, so I know who the best players in the country are and so I can cast an educated vote. Many times we in the sports talk radio business tend to be lazy; we don’t do our homework and actually do research on stories. I don’t like half-truths and innuendos or speculation. I pride myself on going only on the facts so my goal was to find out about Newton.
Sileo on Newton: One of my best friends is former Bucs and Redskins quarterback Doug Williams. I knew that Doug knew the kid and as the season progressed it was clear that Newton was something special I called Doug and we talked about him. He told me that this kid took the time to go to junior college after leaving Florida for problems with his grades and turned his life around.
Sileo on why he is voting for Newton: After Doug’s recommendation I spoke to more people round the SEC and I came to the conclusion that Newton was the kind of guy I want in my huddle. He is an amazing athlete and a wonderful teammate. He can beat you with his arm or with his feet. To me he is the most complete player in the college ranks and unless there is proof that his has done something wrong — and I hope there isn’t — then he will get my vote.
For more from Jim Williams, check out his blog, Watch this!
