Cam Newton continues to rack up postseason honors - but not without a little controversy.
The Auburn quarterback, who took home the prestigious Heisman Trophy last weekend as college football’s top player, was honored by the House on Wednesday.
He was praised as "the most outstanding college football player in the United States" in a House resolution introduced by Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers.
The resolution passed with 328 yays, according to The Associated Press, but with Newton, nothing is ever cut and dried.
The junior, dogged all year by questions regarding his eligibility, was not unanimously approved as 15 lawmakers voted "nay" while another 18 abstained from the vote.
Various members of the House revealed in statements that they voted against honoring Newton because of their loyalties to specific teams.
Rep. Charles Boustany of Louisiana, for one, is an open supporter of Auburn's Southeastern Conference rival LSU.
Other lawmakers were against the resolution because of the controversy surrounding Newton's father, Cecil, who allegedly solicited hundreds of thousands of dollars from universities during his son's recruitment. The NCAA confirmed Cam Newton's eligibility on Dec. 1.
"Cam Newton has a tremendous opportunity for a great NFL career and I wish him the best, but he should not have been honored by the House today under this cloud," Illinois Rep. Dan Lipinski said in a statement.
Newton will lead No. 1 Auburn into the BCS national championship game Jan. 10 as three-point favorites over No. 2 Oregon at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
With News Wire Services
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