Cam Newton Says Money and Nothing Cause Success, Casting Doubt on the Texas Longhorns Football Culture
In the world of college football, where success is often measured by national championships, bowl appearances, and high-profile recruits, few programs carry as much weight and prestige as the Texas Longhorns. With a storied history, legendary coaches, and a massive fanbase, Texas football is a powerhouse that many consider synonymous with success. However, recently, a comment from former NFL MVP and Auburn University legend Cam Newton has cast a shadow over the Longhorns’ program, calling into question the very culture of success that the team has worked so hard to build.
Cam Newton, known for his dynamic play on the field and outspoken personality off it, has always been a figure who commands attention. His comments, which dismissed the traditional narratives of football success and attributed it to “money and nothing,” have sparked conversations about what really defines success in college football, especially at programs like Texas. Newton’s statement is both a critique of the current state of college football and a reflection on the shifting dynamics that have shaped today’s game, where financial incentives often seem to outweigh tradition and player development.
This essay will analyze Newton’s comments, exploring how they reflect broader issues within the Texas Longhorns football culture and the state of college football as a whole. We will delve into the role of money in college sports, the expectations placed on elite programs like Texas, and how the culture of college football may be shifting toward a more transactional model. Additionally, we will examine how Newton’s critique fits into the ongoing conversation about player compensation, team success, and the evolving relationship between athletes, programs, and the NCAA.
Cam Newton’s Critique: Money and Success in College Football
Cam Newton’s remarks were made in a broader context of frustration with the current landscape of college football, particularly the growing influence of money in shaping the sport. While he did not specifically mention the Texas Longhorns by name, his statements about “money and nothing” resonated with many who follow college football, especially given the increased financial stakes in college athletics. For Newton, the drive to win and achieve success in college football has become too closely tied to financial incentives, often overshadowing traditional values such as hard work, development, and loyalty.
Newton’s words may have been aimed at the influx of funding, sponsorship deals, and, more recently, the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals that have dramatically shifted the balance of power in college football. With top-tier recruits now able to profit off their names, brands, and social media presence, the lines between amateur athletics and professional sports have become increasingly blurred. Newton’s comments seem to suggest that success on the field has become less about organic team building and more about the wealth a program can attract, which may undermine the fundamental principles of college football, where student-athletes were once expected to prioritize education and personal development alongside their athletic commitments.
For a program like Texas, where resources and financial backing are abundant, Newton’s critique might hit a bit too close to home. Texas has long been one of the wealthiest programs in college football, with a multi-million-dollar football stadium, a large and loyal fanbase, and a long tradition of success. However, despite these advantages, the Longhorns have struggled to consistently return to national prominence in recent years. Newton’s remarks can be interpreted as casting doubt on whether Texas, and other programs like it, are truly focused on the right factors when it comes to developing players and winning championships. Has the influence of money been too overwhelming, diverting attention from the importance of cultivating a winning culture based on teamwork, discipline, and player development?
The Texas Longhorns: A Culture in Flux
Historically, Texas has been a football powerhouse. The Longhorns have won four national championships, produced numerous NFL players, and developed a winning football culture that has been the envy of many. However, the last decade has seen mixed results, with the Longhorns failing to consistently contend for national titles despite their abundant resources.
One of the most critical factors in this decline has been the shifting culture of Texas football. Under the leadership of head coach Tom Herman, the Longhorns struggled to live up to the expectations that came with their immense talent pool and high-profile recruiting classes. Herman was ultimately let go after a 32-18 record over four seasons, which fell short of what many fans and alumni expected from a program of Texas’ stature. His tenure highlighted the difficulty of maintaining success in an era when college football programs must adapt to rapidly changing dynamics—financial incentives, social media, and the explosion of NIL opportunities—while still preserving the values that once defined them.
The Longhorns hired Steve Sarkisian as their new head coach in 2021, hoping to bring a fresh perspective and a new direction to a program that was desperate to return to its former glory. Sarkisian’s first year was a rollercoaster ride, with notable wins but disappointing losses, including a historic collapse against Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. The inconsistency on the field has been a source of frustration for fans, who are beginning to question whether Texas is truly committed to re-establishing itself as a national contender, or if the emphasis on financial rewards and the competitive arms race of recruiting has shifted the program’s focus away from foundational team-building.
Newton’s comments add fuel to this fire, suggesting that the culture of Texas football—and, by extension, the broader landscape of college football—has become too focused on material rewards, making it difficult to foster the kind of cohesive, disciplined teams that win championships. In a world where a top recruit might be drawn more by a lucrative NIL deal than by the culture of a team or the potential for development, has the Texas Longhorns football program lost sight of the intrinsic qualities that used to drive success?
The Role of Money and NIL in College Football
Newton’s assertion that “money and nothing” are the causes of success in college football is emblematic of the broader conversation surrounding NIL deals and player compensation. Since the NCAA’s decision to allow athletes to profit off their names, images, and likenesses, college football has entered a new era. Top recruits are now able to sign lucrative endorsement deals, which can often be a deciding factor when choosing a program. This shift has created an environment where financial incentives play a significant role in shaping the competitive landscape of college football.
For elite programs like Texas, this new reality poses both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, Texas has the financial resources and institutional support to attract high-profile recruits through NIL deals, boosting the program’s visibility and competitiveness. On the other hand, the rise of NIL has made recruiting a more transactional process, where the best players may choose their destinations based on the size of their paycheck rather than the culture or potential for long-term development. This situation can lead to an unstable environment where success is increasingly measured by the size of a program’s financial resources rather than the quality of its leadership, coaching, and team culture.
Moreover, programs like Texas—known for their immense financial backing—are increasingly finding themselves in an arms race for top-tier recruits. This competition is changing the way teams approach recruiting, with money becoming an ever-more important factor in attracting the nation’s best talent. The question, then, becomes whether the influx of money and NIL deals will lead to a more balanced and fair college football landscape, or if it will exacerbate the divide between programs with vast financial resources and those that are less equipped to offer such incentives.
The Longhorns’ Path Forward: Finding Balance Between Tradition and Change
As Texas football continues to grapple with these issues, the program must strike a balance between embracing the new realities of college football and maintaining the traditional values that have long defined success. Cam Newton’s comments serve as a reminder that, while financial success and NIL opportunities are now inextricably tied to college athletics, the true key to championship-level success still lies in developing a winning culture based on hard work, discipline, and player development.
Steve Sarkisian’s tenure at Texas will ultimately be judged not only by the success he achieves on the field but by how well he navigates the complex landscape of modern college football. If Texas can learn to blend financial incentives with a culture of player development, discipline, and teamwork, it could once again become a dominant force in college football. However, this will require a conscious effort to avoid becoming overly reliant on money and NIL deals as the primary drivers of success. Instead, Texas must focus on creating an environment where athletes are motivated by a shared commitment to excellence, personal growth, and the long-term success of the program.
