Cam Newton Disappoints In Post Game Press Conference

Charlotte, N.C — The Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday night and Cam Newton will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Newton and the Panthers had a great season. Cam was named MVP of the league on Saturday night. Carolina finished as the NFC Champions and Super Bowl runner-ups with a 17-2 record. There were many positives for the organization to take from this season, and it was fun to be a part of as a Carolinian and a fan of the team.

The game itself was not much fun to watch as a Panthers’ fan, because the team made numerous mistakes that were uncharacteristic of the squad we had all come to know this season.

Cam Newton’s post game press conference, however, was even worse.  Cam was clearly, and understandably disappointed after losing the biggest game of his career and not playing his best game. I understand that he was fed up with the media expectations during Super Bowl week, and I think that is what spurred most of the animosity he displayed, but again, it comes with the territory.  He took questions from reporters, but responded with short and snarky remarks when he decided to respond at all. His facial expressions and body language further conveyed his displeasure with having to interact with the media. The questions weren’t outrageous or asinine, Cam just wasn’t in the mood to answer them. He cut the interview short after less than three minutes.

I defended Cam’s right to smile, dance, and enjoy getting paid to play a game. I and many others questioned whether the chorus of negative emotions regarding Cam on a national level were racially and culturally motivated. People said that their disdain for him was not about him being black but about the way he carried himself.  The post Super Bowl press conference lends support to people who say that Cam’s behavior is enough reason not to like him regardless of his race.

I agree. His actions were immature and selfish. Cam Newton has to grow up. By all means celebrate when you’re winning, but take your losses like a grown man as well. He knows the drill.

He is the face of the Carolina Panthers, and now the NFL as the reigning MVP.  Losing is a part of the game and so is talking to the media when you are the losing quarterback.

Deion Sanders summarized most people’s feelings on the matter accurately following the press conference.

“You are the face of our brand right now, you can’t do that,” Sanders said after the game. “I understand the emotions of losing, but you can’t do that. A Manning, a Brady … all these guys who are a prototypical type of quarterback in our game, they’re not going to do that ever. Would Drew Brees ever?”

Sanders went on.

“You’re opening yourself for more criticism,” he said.  Because everybody is going to say you’re dabbing and smiling and smiling and styling. So this is how you go out when you lose?”

I assume Cam will learn from this experience.  Maybe he won’t.  It is cliche, but true, that how you lose says more about you than how you win.

Sunday night, Cam Newton’s actions weren’t saying very much.