“It’s
a damn shame that these thugs are allowed to wreak havoc on the NFL.” “You’ll
never last in the NFL with that attitude. The world doesn’t revolve around you,
boy. #CamNewton.” These are just two
of the many unjustified comments Cam Newton has had fall on his ears between
the beginning and the end of the season. The latter being a direct quote from
well-known racist and dirty former pro linebacker Bill Romanowski. Given his professional
history and his rank as the 5th all-time dirtiest player in NFL
history, his comments don’t necessarily mean a ton. However, the fact that such
a reaction can be generated as a result of a young man no longer wanting to
discuss losing the biggest game of his career is beyond disturbing.
Six years
ago when Peyton Manning got his ass kicked by the New Orleans Saints 31-17 in
Super Bowl 44, he stormed off the field without shaking anyone’s hand or
extending one ounce of congratulations, and it was called “competitive fire.” His
refusal to engage in an outdated practice of sportsmanship was applauded. Cam
took just as bad a beat down, also losing the big game by 14 (24-10), yet still
managed to shake Peyton’s hand despite how many times he found himself being
slammed to the ground by Von Miller and guys with angry horses on their
helmets. So, that brings us to the million dollar question.
If it
is clearly okay for Peyton Manning to be given a pass for “not exhibiting
classy behavior after a tough loss,” why is it such a crime for Cam Newton to
leave a press conference after five minutes of fielding questions from people
who essentially lack the credentials to be questioning him? Why did he have to
deal with a press conference within clear earshot of the winning team
celebrating? Why is the emotional aspect not taken into consideration? Why is
the media given a pass for stupid or intentionally agitating questions? I’ll
tell you why. It’s because people/mainstream media like Peyton, and they hate
Cam for all the wrong reasons.
They like
the guy who caught a bad break from jerk owner Jim Irsay, endorses Papa John’s
Pizza, and convinces us that Buicks are the greatest cars in the world.
Conversely, they hate the guy who dances on the field after a big play, dabs on
folks, achieves everything the media pundits said he would fail at, is brash,
unapologetic, and refuses to stay in “his place,” and gives touchdown footballs
to kids in the stands. They hate him so much, they even refer to him as a thug
from time to time. Meanwhile, Johnny Manziel is out somewhere beating the hell
out of his girlfriend in a drunken stupor and missing meetings because he’s too
damn hungover. Yet and still, that “thug” word has never been thrown at him. He
is simply a troubled quarterback in need of quality mentorship from the likes
of guys like Brett Favre. The same guy who held Green Bay hostage on his way out
the door, got sued for sending racy text messages to massage therapists, and
gave a cold shoulder to current Packer QB Aaron Rodgers. By the way, nobody so
much as raised an eyebrow at Rodgers’ showboating in the form of a discount
double check dance, but I digress.
When
we consider the level of scrutiny Cam has received when his team has won, why should
he bother to subject himself to the media sharks in a loss? Peyton “let me use
my privilege once again to endorse Budweiser on live television” Manning while
wearing a Colts or Broncos jersey never received such scrutiny when his team
won or lost. Even after playing horribly in Super Bowl 50 (13/23, 141 yds, ZERO
touchdowns, and one interception), commentators and media members alike still
found a way to give Peyton praise. The same Peyton Manning, who thanks to a
monstrous defense that Cam is probably still having nightmares about, can finish
his career at 2-2 (the two losses by a combined score of 74-25, can you say ass
whoopins?) in Super Bowls and just one game above 500 for the playoffs (14-13).
But
Cam Newton had the misfortune of finally going against a defense that figured
out how to do what no other team could figure out. Stop him. And unfortunately,
that team figured it out in the Super Bowl. Because of this misfortune, I’m sure
folks are ready to say he’s not big time, clutch, or their personal favorite “leadership
material.” They will say this while ignoring the fact that he led the Panthers
to a 17-1 record prior to the big game and has exceeded EVERY standard that
numerous media pundits said he would not within five seasons in the league. They
will ignore the fact that Carolina would not have even been in the Super Bowl
if not for Cam and would likely still be a bottom feeder organization had they
drafted somebody else at number one in 2011.
When you
consider all of this, it’s pretty much impossible to throw Cam under the bus
for answering a few questions and then leaving. Like Vince Lombardi said, “Show
me a good loser, and I’ll show you a loser.” Cam is actually better than me
with the media. If I had been blessed to be good enough to play professional
sports, I would NEVER talk to the media. Win, lose, or draw, you wouldn’t get a
single word out of me. I would pay the fine each time. Instead of feeling like
it’s costing me money, I would feel like I’m paying for my peace of mind to not
have to be bothered with antagonistic, ignorant, snobbish pundits who are just
looking to find ways to get under my skin. I shall pass. I got another game to
prepare for.
So
with these unwarranted levels of scrutiny, Cam simply realized there is no way
for him to win with the media. It he talks to them, they find a way to say the
answers aren’t good enough. If he leaves, they find a way to question his level
of class. If there is no way to win in this situation, then the next best thing
to do is what he did. Exit stage left and leave you clowns searching for more
ways to tear him down.
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