Class: A Lil’ Dab Will Do You

So I won’t be accused of following the leader or piling on, let me say that I wrote this piece immediately after the post- Super Bowl interview with Cam Newton.
I was so disappointed that I had trouble sleeping. Here’s the guy who’d just been named the league MVP, who just happened to lose the Super Bowl. I understand what losing does to players especially those players we view as winners, but Cam Newton took himself out of that winner category, and I’m betting some of his teammates felt the same way.
He sat like a pouting child, hood up and an expression on his face that said a lot more than hurt over a loss. You may remember that Newton faced criticism most of the season from over celebrating touchdowns, and too much dancing, to acting like an undisciplined kid, and all season I rejected the critics. “He’s young,” I thought. “He’ll mature as the season goes on.”
I gave Newton the benefit of the doubt, after all he was on the threshold of something big, an undefeated season. The Panthers mowed down opponents with authority and only one blip in the radar, a loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
The loss I thought helped bring Newton and the team down to earth, and right away they picked up where they left off winning again all the way to the Super Bowl.
The Denver Broncos had answers for Newton and the Panthers. It happens and I believe there were a few calls that could have gone the Panthers’ way but didn’t. Again, that’s the game.
Even in the face of defeat, I expected the league MVP to show the world something after the bitter loss. I wanted to see a young leader say how badly the loss hurts, but that he told his team to keep their heads up. I hoped I would’ve heard him say he reminded the team that their 17 wins was a huge deal, and that they’ll take this loss and find a way to go all the way next year.
Cam did none of that, instead offering few answers more than one word, pouting his way through questions before slinking off. The only thing I got from that interview is Cam saying “they just played better than us.”
No, kidding! We all knew that, young man. Why couldn’t you tell us something we didn’t know? That interview is, unfortunately, how I and thousands of youngsters and others will remember Cam Newton, a guy who came off like a sore loser, an MVP who wouldn’t tell the world that his team will get through this and be better next year.
Funny how life works. People don’t always remember the good you do, but they sure do remember the bad. Can he bounce back? Sure, he can with me, anyway. But, for Cam’s sake I hope he can maintain the respect of his teammates.

By: Jim Scott