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MONTGOMERY - Gov. Bob Riley has proclaimed Saturday as “Cameron Newton Day” in Alabama. 

Cameron Newton, star quarterback for Auburn University, this season led his team to a Southeastern Conference championship and became the school’s third player to win the Heisman Memorial Trophy. Riley and fans across the state will be cheering for Cam Newton and the rest of the Auburn Tigers football team Monday night as they take on the Oregon Ducks in the BCS National Championship Game. 

“I want to commend Cameron Newton on a spectacular 2010 football season,” Gov. Riley said. “Cam is an incredible athlete and his performance on the football field speaks for itself. I’ve also been impressed with this young man’s involvement in the community, spending his free time mentoring students despite the demands on his time as a star student-athlete. Cam is a special individual who is certainly deserving of the Heisman Trophy. Alabama is proud to celebrate his achievements and I wish him and the Tigers the best of luck in the championship game.”  

During the 2010 football season, Newton passed for 2589 yards and 28 touchdowns, and ran for 1409 yards and 20 touchdowns. Newton is the fourth Heisman winner from an Alabama college. Auburn University quarterback Pat Sullivan won the trophy in 1971, Auburn running back Bo Jackson won in 1985 and University of Alabama running back Mark Ingram won last year in similar fashion to Newton as the Crimson Tide went on to win the 2009 BCS National Championship.  

Gov. Riley remarked on the unique nature of having back-to-back Heisman winners and possibly having National Champion football teams from the State of Alabama, should Auburn prevail on Monday.   

“I could be the first governor in the country who can boast two back-to-back national champion football teams and Heisman winners from the same state,” Riley said. “Auburn University and the University of Alabama each have made this state proud and we should all celebrate their accomplishments.” 

Riley issued a similar proclamation last year, declaring “Mark Ingram Day” in Alabama after Ingram won the Heisman and prepared to lead the Crimson Tide to victory in the 2010 BCS Championship Game against the University of Texas.  Alabama won that game 37-21.