Heisman Winners and Losers: Is Character a Factor?

  Why did Auburn's Cam Newton win the Heisman trophy as college football's best player? Was it because he owned most of the votes east of the Mississippi River as Heisman's only credible candidate from the Mideast,  East, and South while Kellen Moore of Boise State, Andrew Luck of Stanford, and LaMichael James of Oregon split the votes from the West? Was it because of his awe-inspiring statistics as both running quarterback and passing quarterback? Was it because of his team's unblemished record up to voting time? Or was it because of all three?
  One thing is certain: while voters are told character counts in considering the candidates, most voters overlooked character as a factor. Perhaps most voters find stolen laptops, test cheating, and play for pay ultimatums as minor mistakes, not true character flaws. Maybe most voters have stolen and cheated somebody or some institution themselves, and therefore they relate better to the seriously flawed Newton. On a lighter note, maybe most voters just like a good comeback story, and Cam Newton's story certainly fits that bill. 
  Was Jake Locker of Washington found with a stolen laptop? No, but he was found to have the character and integrity to return for his senior season while watching his draft status decline precipitously. Was Andrew Luck found cheating on an exam? No, but he recently shocked the sports world by indicating he would return for a redshirt junior season to help his recruiting class complete its four-year cycle at Stanford with another winning season. Was Kellen Moore's family found to have issued play for pay ultimatums to interested schools while he was being recruited? No, but he has indicated that he will return for his senior year, even though his Boise team will be weakened by the loss of several starters and the Broncos have to face a much-tougher schedule as a new member of the Mountain West conference. 
  Who with any moral perspective is happy about Cam Newton winning the Heisman trophy? I don't know. Ask the Westphobic voters who voted him in.