Confirming or Denying Cam Newton’s Future

This is an LSU blog, therefore we couldn’t care less about the Cam Newton situation in terms of how it affects Auburn. Having said that, no one likes to see an ESPN 30/30 style fall from grace, so let’s all hope that whatever the outcome of all this is, that Newton can put it behind him and be successful in his future. I doubt even the most diehard Auburn hater wouldn’t wish ill on the kid, but that doesn’t change the fact I think Cam and his Daddy are full of shit.

They did something. Something happened and whatever it was they asked for it. Despite repeated denials from the Auburn program, more news continues to float in suggesting that these guys pulled a Rod Tidwell with several different schools. While any hard evidence against the Newtons has yet to be produced, this one has Tiger Woods written all over it. By that I mean it’s the type of story that starts out with a crack, then begins to hemorrhage with allegations until finally a smoking gun is revealed. But even without that gun, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that something’s up.

The number one thing that makes me think this was a ridiculous statement made my Cecil Newton, Cam’s dad. When pressed about the scandal a couple of days ago the elder Newton responded

“I’m not going to confirm nor deny nothing that has been taking place”

Don’t say stuff like that, bro. When you’re in crisis and someone asks you about it you basically have two options. You can Mark McGwire or Bill Clinton. You can deflect of deny. Like for example Mr. Newton could have said…

“We’re not listening to any of this stuff; we’re just concentrating on Cam’s future.”

That’s a Mark McGwire. It’s a deflection. It says you’re above it all. You’re not thinking about it and shame on those who are. It’s a subtle admission of guilt or course, which makes it not so desirable to most but Cecil Newton could pull it off because he’s a Pastor. He could add Jesus stuff to it and make it really spiritually potent. He could say…

“We don’t listen to the pettiness of men; the lord Jesus Christ has Cam’s future in his hands, and that’s who we talk and listen to.”

Slam Dunk. Even the hardest hearted Atheist won’t step on his Sunday school roots and eff with the ChristChild when a Pastor throws him out there. Yet in still, there is that hint of guilt that we talked about and that’s not good when eligibility and awards are in question. So my advice would have been for Cecil to go with the Billy Boy Clinton, which is to just deny in an explainable way. In this case you could say something like…

“Look, Cam wasn’t offered any money from any school, and that’s the truth!”

Did you see that? It’s a truth lie. It’s a Clinton denial. Remember “I did not have sexual relations with that woman?” Right. Bill never said she didn’t give him a blowjob, he just said stated he didn’t consider that to be sexual relations because he’s Bill Clinton and gets blowjobs from everyone. The above statement is the same. It says, no school offered them anything, which is probably true. They probably asked for it themselves and sparked the bidding war.

Cecil chose neither path of course. He chose to neither confirm nor deny, which is the one thing that never works on allegations. On speculation, it’s just fine. I’ll explain the difference between allegation and speculation below using the power of dialogue.

Guy: Hey man, I heard you were taking that job in New York. Is that true?

Other Guy: I can neither confirm nor deny that I am taking the job in New York.

The question was speculative in nature. It works just fine there. Now to the other…

Guy: Hey man, everyone is saying that you and your buddies went to the local middle school and impregnated all the over-developed 8th graders. Is that true?

Other Guy: I can neither confirm nor deny that me and my buddies went to the local middle school and impregnated all the over-developed 8th graders.

If you’re the “guy” in that situation wouldn’t you have to come away believing that the “other guy” and his buddies went to the local middle school and impregnated all the over developed 8th graders? Not confirming or denying basically says “I’m not telling.” Well if someone is asking you about impregnating children or taking hundreds of thousands of illegal dollars, shouldn’t you be willing to say either yes or no?

Cam and his dad need to step their media game up and quickly. Actually, I think they might be in the “no comment” area now. Whatever is said, just don’t say anything. Wait to see how the whole thing shakes out and then just deal with it. But if you’re going to talk, confirm something or deny everything.