Cecil Newton spoils the only Heisman mystery, by promising to stay away

There was one chance at drama for Saturday night's Heisman Trophy ceremony in Manhattan, and it had nothing to do with the winner. Cam Newton is going to win. He's going to win by a lot. The runner-up, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck or Oregon running back LaMichael James, is so far behind he might get lapped.

No, the looming question of the night is whether Cecil Newton, officially "disassociated" from the Auburn program by NCAA fiat last week for allegedly soliciting a six-figure payment from Mississippi State during his son's recruitment out of junior college last year, would be allowed to show up to the ceremony. Cecil reportedly was on the list of names submitted by Auburn for seats in the player's section of the ceremony earlier this week. But as of Thursday night, we don't even have that: Like Reggie Bush in his decision to "voluntarily" return his Heisman this last summer, Cecil Newton is going to give in gracefully, before anyone has to get security involved. Per a statement released through his attorney (via al.com):

"The events to take place in New York at the Heisman Trophy ceremony this weekend will serve as a crowning moment for the athletes and their families alike.

"For all of my fifty years of life, coupled with 25 years of marriage, I have made an exhausting attempt to be a good husband, father, and generally a good person of integrity. The past 60 days have caused all that my family worked to accomplish to come into question."

"So that my son Cam Newton can receive all the honors and congratulations that he has worked so hard to accomplish and without distraction, I have decided not to be in attendance at the Heisman ceremony, as it will perhaps rob Cam and the event of a sacred moment."

With Deepest Respect,
Cecil Newton

No truth to the rumor that the elder Newton's seat is currently on eBay. (Well, probably no truth.) Sanctimonious types who'd spent the last few weeks wringing their hands over the sanctity and integrity of the most coveted hunk of bronze in sports will be relieved, but count me as disappointed. That kind of awkward, you can't put a price on.

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Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.

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