Cam Newton: ‘I’m an African-American QB that scares people’
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton celebrated his touchdown run during the first half of the NFC Championship game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday in Charlotte, N.C.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. » Panthers quarterback Cam Newton suggested for the first time today 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-foot-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 putting up record-breaking numbers, said he learned a long time ago that he can’t please everyone.
“People are going to judge, and have opinions on things I don’t have control over,” Newton said.
The stout and speedy Newton is beating teams with his arm and his legs, throwing for 35 touchdowns and running for 10 this season. He has helped lead the Panthers (17-1) to their first Super Bowl since 2003. Carolina plays the AFC champion Denver Broncos on Feb. 7 in Santa Clara, California.
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Newton acknowledged being leery of talking about how others may perceive him.
“I think it’s a trick question,” Newton said. “If I answer it truthfully it’s going to be ‘Aw, he’s this or that.’ But I will say it anyway.
“I don’t think people have seen what I am or what I’m trying to do.”
Newton said he hasn’t changed, and has previously responded to his critics.
“I said that prior to me being in this situation,” Newton said of being misunderstood. “But when I said it then it was like, ‘Oh he is immature,’ or, ‘Oh he’s young and this that and the third.’ I felt a certain type of way then and I feel a certain type of way now — nothing has pretty much changed. They talk about maturity. They talk about skillset. … The only thing that has changed (about me) is that we’re winning now.”
Panthers coach Ron Rivera doesn’t believe Newton should have to fight perceptions about race.
“I think he has always strived to have that separation,” Rivera said. “I don’t think he wants to be known as an African-American quarterback; he wants to be known as a quarterback. I think that is what drives him, to be able to transcend those boundaries, which I think is great.”
Rivera, who is Hispanic, said he has battled that notion to some degree himself.
“It really should be about your merits more than anything else,” the coach said. “More about what you have accomplished, what you have done.”
Rivera said some people may simply not like Newton because of his personality.
The All-Pro quarterback plays the game with open enthusiasm, pointing his arms forward after running for a first down, doing the “dab” in the end zone and pretending to rip open his shirt like Superman. He gets his teammates to pose for pictures on the sideline near the end of games when the outcome is no longer in doubt.
None of that bothers Rivera, who said Newton needs to remain true to himself.
“I think some people believe you should be stoic when you play this game,” Rivera said. “But a lot of people disagree and think you should have fun. This is a kid’s game. I know there is a lot of money involved, but at the end of the day it’s about entertainment. If you aren’t enjoying yourself, don’t play the game —it’s that simple.”
Newton’s teammates have their own theories about the anti-Newton uproar.
Panthers cornerback Charles Tillman said it may because Newton wins in an “unconventional way,” unlike a traditional NFL quarterback, and fans aren’t used to that on Sundays.
“Some people can’t accept that,” Tillman said. “He is setting a precedent as far as for how quarterbacks are now — and how they may become. He’s in a league of his own. He has created his own category for winning.”
Tillman likens Newton, in some respects, to Tim Tebow.
“People would say, ‘Oh Tebow is not a good quarterback,’ but the guy won games and took his team to the playoffs,” Tillman said. “All Tim Tebow did was say that he loved Jesus and he prayed all of the time — and people hated him for that.”
Carolina defensive tackle Dwan Edwards senses the hatred of Newton stems from the QB’s popularity.
“In sports, people want to root against people, whether it’s LeBron (James), Kobe (Bryant) or (Michael) Jordan,” Edwards said. “There are a lot of people who don’t care for them and no matter what they do, it’s ‘Oh that’s the wrong way. That’s not what we’re used to.’
“It’s tough, because people are going to hate you regardless.”
25 responses to “Cam Newton: ‘I’m an African-American QB that scares people’”
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haters gotta hate, but arrogance is not an admirable quality
hit the nail on the head; i wouldn’t want to be his opponent when Newton is running around like a maniac for the cameras. I saw Greg Olsen him pull him away from the cameras last weekend, like he needed level headed guidance.
Confidence not arrogance.
No amela – One can be confident and arrogant. One can be confident and humble. Cam qualifies for the former and not the latter.
d_bullfighter….excellent come back to amela. Cam is an outstanding athlete, no question. It’s unfortunate he’s apparently using his color as an excuse for being disliked by many. He could use guidance from the likes of Jerry Rice, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rogers, and many other outstanding athletes. I don’t doubt he’s basically a good person, but his show-boating turns off a lot of people.
I pray his team gets crushed by a team led by a European-American QB.
Last weekend game was the first time I’ve seen this guy play. Sure can fire that football hard and accurately. Hope the Panthers win but still want to see a very close game. Hate wide scores that bore me and make me want to turn off the TV. Should be interesting as both teams have accurate shooters.
He’s hated because he’s an arrogant showboat, otherwise known as the content of his character, NOT the color of his skin.
BINGO! Without GOOGLE-ing the following outstanding QB’s come to mind: Daunte Culpepper, Michael Vick, Steve McNair, Randall Cunningham, Donovan McNabb and Warren Moon.
Doug Williams – Super Bowl QB MVP – drafted into the NFL before Cam Newton was born.
Black QB’s in 2016 – no big deal Cam Newton. Try a piece of humble pie.
Yep and it is because of this arrogance that a lot of people would love to see Von Miller knock the snot out of him.
Unlike Warren Moon, all pro QB for the Huskies. Moon won admiration for his skill and dignity, not his showboating.
Thanks for playing the race card. Will Newton be attending the Oscars?
can’t get a nomination!
Scare? No
Offend? Yes
Nobody cares about race except you. Quit playing the victim!
Darn good QB, good to the kids of all color, then he says these things. Got some growing up to do!
Don’t flatter yourself Cam.
Now a days when you don’t like a person who happens to be different skin color… You’re automatically racist. I guess I’m a racist.
Ahhh poor ting.
Here we go. Who is the one bringing race in the picture? Cam did- right it’s hard to find another adult who ca compare to you cause: you are only an over grown KID looking for attention that is why you do what you do. Just GROW UP
Poor Oxfail trying so hard to racehate and no one biting. Go back to the mainland maybe you might find someone that cares
Systemic bias is rampant in football and Cam Newton is not exempt from its reach. A recent study (“Racial Disparity in Leadership: Performance-Reward Bias in Promotions of National Football League Coaches”) found that black high school quarterbacks are 39 percent more likely to be asked to switch positions when they enter college. Players who played quarterback are more likely to become quarterback coaches, who are more likely to become offensive coordinators, who are more likely to become head coaches. White position coaches and assistants in the NFL are more than twice as likely to be promoted to coordinator than their black counterparts, regardless of their performance, experience or coaching background. It takes nine years before a white coach has a greater than 50 percent chance of becoming coordinator, compared with 14 years for a nonwhite coach. Though the salaries for various positions aren’t public,authors of the study used back-of-the-envelope math to approximate that, over a 20-year career, a white coach is likely to earn over $20 million more than his nonwhite counterpart. (source: ESPN reporting)
I didn’t know that there was any racial divide until Cam Brought it up!! So Why do Blacks do this to themselves? Is it for Attention?
I mean look at this! It’s not like he is the first Black QB in the NFL!
Maybe he’s a bit conceded, With an ego the size of Godzilla and…..not to mention Bigger than Superman!…. A show Boat? Definitley!
I like watching him play,but as soon as he goes into his “Show Off Mode”. I change the channel.
Rivera is Right! It’s not about the color of his skin,it’s his “Personality” Well for me? It’s his attitude!So where is the coaching in this?
Yes !Cam Newton & The Panthers had an excellent season…I’ll give him that!But doesn’t mean next season will be the same.
Indeed he can learn alot, about being Humble.Especially from another NFL QB….. Marcus Marriota.IMUA
“I didn’t know that there was any racial divide until Cam brought it up!!” = willful ignorance.
Lee’s put the race debate to rest. MVP or not, I would pick Russell Wilson over Newton any day. It’s all about value and has nothing to do with race in this case. There is no right or wrong here, if you believe arrogant, cockiness, and silliness are all admirable traits for a professional athlete to have then more likely than not you will embrace Newton and his ilks.