So, I suppose it was only a matter of time before Cam Newton took a flaming torch to the house of goodwill he built up by having one of the greatest postseasons in recent memory. But it appears as though he is in the process of doing precisely that right now.
According to the Charlotte Observer, Cam Newton believes it is his complexion that has some people so bamboozled:
“Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton suggested for the first time Wednesday that race may play a factor in why he’s become a lightning rod for public criticism.
“I’m an African-American quarterback that scares people because they haven’t seen nothing that they can compare me to,” said the 6-5, 245-pound Newton.
The No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL draft out of Auburn, Newton has his share of detractors who either don’t like how he plays, his celebrations or his abundance of self-confidence.
Newton, a leading league MVP candidate who is putting up record-breaking numbers, said he learned a long time ago that he can’t please everyone, and needs to be true to his personality.
“People are going to judge, and have opinions on things I don’t have control over,” Newton said.”
We don’t have a comparison to make with Cam Newton, an African-American QB who can both run and throw? How about the guy who has been a Super Bowl champion once, and the NFC Champion for the last two years?
Russell Wilson.
What about Randall Cunningham? Michael Vick? The idea that the NFL fan has no frame of reference for a black quarterback who can run and throw is beyond absurd.
Also, at this point, Cam’s “fair share of critics” consists primarily of an angry mother in Tennessee who didn’t like him dancing in her team’s end zone, and Seahawks fans who are also displeased by Cam’s antics yet have no problem with Richard Sherman screaming into microphones, ala’ Ric Flair.
Hmm, I wonder why?
I’m sure there are others, but at this point, the idea that Cam Newton is experiencing hate on anything approaching the level that Doug Williams did when he first came in the league in Tampa Bay, is completely untrue.
So I suppose it’s only fitting that just as Will Smith sits out the Oscars in order to take a stand against an industry that has made him a millionaire many times over, because, racism, or something, now we must hear about the plight of a football player who has won a National Championship, the Heisman, was the #1 overall pick in the draft, is becoming one of the more lucrative pitch-men in the league, and is on his way to the Super Bowl. Where his team is favored to win.
What a stupid time to be alive.
