Will Cecil Newton distract Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton off the field?

by LittleKing on Jul 2, 2011 8:00 AM EDT

We all know about the pay-for-play scandal that Cam Newton's father, Cecil Newton, attempted to arrange for his son. In an interview with the Charlotte Observer Cecil said he doesn't want that event to define him:

What was in print didn't totally define who I am as a person or as a father. And I'm confident over time that will be revealed through our (charitable) foundation and through a lot of our efforts.

If that's the case then what else has he said or done that would give us insight into who he is as a person. After the break I have two examples that give me pause.

One of the first items I found was at the end of the same article:

He's played for so long for free that anything we make, man, is a blessing.

I realize I could be making a mole hill into a mountain, but I don't like what the phrase "we make" implies. I don't believe Cecil will be doing anything to earn the money that Cam will be making. I have no doubt that Cam will assist his family financially, but to blatantly say "we make" doesn't right to me.

Another item I found was back at the Auburn Championship game. Cam searched for his father in the crowd to share an embrace. While it shows Cam and his father are still close regardless of the scandal, it was also reported that Auburn and Cecil had agreed that he would not be in attendance to the game.

Again, maybe I'm reading too much into this but obviously not following through on a commitment in the middle of a scandal doesn't instill confidence in me that he will stay out of his Cam's way when needed.

It should probably be mentioned that Cecil Newton is the bishop for a small church denomination in Georgia and I did find this article attempting to put all of this into context, yet I'm not over confident the impact that his father will have on Cam's professional development will be positive. Hopefully we don't have to revisit this issue in a year with more "what was he thinking" or "why did he do this" posts.

In the end, I hope Cam has a strong supporting cast as he makes his transition his professional NFL career. I can't imagine the challenges any athlete faces, but I do know that with any life changing events having the right people to confide in can mean the world of difference.

What's your take? Am I reading too much into his actions and words or do you have any concerns about Cecil's role?

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Typo?

Hopefully, you meant “church denomination” ; you put. “church demonization”. BTW, I think you are reading way too much into things, but can’t really blame you because of so much that has been in the media and online.

by Anne Curtis Davidson on Jul 2, 2011 8:34 AM EDT reply actions

That's pretty funny.

One of those subconscious typos that represent one’s deeper concerns.

Most readers wouldn’t catch it (I didn’t), as we speed read text more and more often, sometimes missing the real meaning of a wrod or too.

Let’s hope, Little King, that Cam is/becomes his own man, and that his apple bounces away from the fall line of his tree.

by bigdavis on Jul 2, 2011 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

typo fixed...fruedian slip? lol

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by Jaxon on Jul 2, 2011 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions

If I'm not mistaken...

And someone correct me if I’m completely wrong…

it was also reported that Auburn and Cecil had agreed that he would not be in attendance to the game.

While Cam’s father wasn’t supposed to attend any further regular season games, I do believe that the NCAA and/or Auburn (I can’t remember which one originally asked that Cecil not attend games) eventually made the decision to make an exception for the National Championship game. That’s such a huge moment for a father to watch his son to be a part of, it seems like it would be worthy of an exception.

Anyway, LittleKing, I think you may be reading a little too much into it, but after everything that has happened, we just don’t know.

Like a comment I made in a fanshot yesterday, Cam had my support as soon as he became a Panther. I hope that whatever happened in the past is completely in the past, and that Cam and Cecil stay on the straight-and-narrow, so to speak. Cam clearly has a lot of respect and love for his father, because he very easily could have thrown his father under the bus in the middle of last season to deflect all of the criticism that was thrown Cam’s way. I hope that Cecil doesn’t do anything to exploit that. At the same time, a lot of fathers may have tried to deflect blame for something like that on his son, and he didn’t. Both parties fully supported each other, and I do think that shows a sincere love for each other on both parts. I hope that Cecil realizes that having so much involvement in Cam’s football life may be more harmful than helpful, and that he should just sit back and watch and give any moral support he needs to give. Having a parent act as a manager or agent, in any form of entertainment, generally doesn’t work out well (I know he’s not an agent in title, but he almost approaches that in his actions). That’s why you hire professionals in those fields.

As to this…

I don’t like what the phrase “we make” implies.

I definitely see where you’re coming from. Hopefully he was simply referring to what they could contribute (with time and/or money) to any charitable foundations they will form or be a part of.

"One play can win a game, but one play cannot lose a game." - Coach Peterson, Boise St.

"When you get into coaching, you strive to be a Super Bowl-winning head coach. That’s what my goal is, to come here and become a Super Bowl-winning head coach and to sustain an atmosphere of winning." - Ron Rivera

by jamiedk on Jul 2, 2011 10:02 AM EDT reply actions

Well...

According to FreeTheTruth’s comment below linking to a USA Today article speaking to Cecil’s lawyer, apparently he did not show up until after the game. So apparently I was incorrect in thinking that they made an exception for Cecil to attend the National Championship game.

"One play can win a game, but one play cannot lose a game." - Coach Peterson, Boise St.

by jamiedk on Jul 2, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

You're reading too much into it.

I have no worries about Cam’s dad being an off field distraction and if it were to happen I would imagine Cam would distance himself from his dad so he can focus on working with his team mates and executing the gameplan.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained...sometimes you have to go against the grain.

by Disciple of Carolina on Jul 2, 2011 10:25 AM EDT reply actions

Doubt it

The whole problem was about Cecil basically taking monetary offers for his son. With Cam being paid very handsomely, I don’t see Cecil being an issue.

by Ol' Uncle Munnerlyn on Jul 2, 2011 10:42 AM EDT reply actions

Cecil wasn't in the stadium during the game

He watched the game 5 mintues away in a hotel lobby across the street. Dozens of Auburn and Oregon fans saw him.

This is the statement his lawyer gave USAToday

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/brennan/2011-01-12-cam-newton-dad-at-bcs-title-game_N.htm

By Christine Brennan, USA TODAY

“It now turns out that Cecil Newton didn’t sneak into the BCS title game in the Auburn mascot’s costume. He didn’t wear green and yellow to confuse everyone. He didn’t walk in backwards to make people think he was leaving.

His lawyer told USA TODAY Wednesday afternoon that he wasn’t even there — at least not until the game ended, when he was photographed hugging his son, Cam, after Auburn’s 22-19 victory against Oregon.

“Mr. Newton viewed the game from an off-site location and came to the stadium after the game when everyone was leaving to personally congratulate his son,” attorney George Lawson said in a phone interview."

I’m encouraged that Cecil won’t be a distraction or, at least, a minimal one, by the fact that they have decided to continue to live in Atlanta and not move to Charlotte.

by FreeTheTruth on Jul 2, 2011 11:44 AM EDT reply actions

Why would he start being an issue now??

All Cam could do in college was win, even during all the scandals with his Dad. Why would that start effecting him now when it never has before?

by JAKE_OB on Jul 2, 2011 12:16 PM EDT reply actions

Cecil should

Do what all the other Panthers players parents do: nothing. You never hear from Mrs. Gross, Smith, Beason etc… I heard from D-Will"s mom during an interview regarding breast cancer awareness last year, that’s it.

Believe me, the media will be looking for anything from Cecil because its drama. If Cam’s career begins drama-free they will lokk twice as hard.

Please Cecil, avoid media outlets and interviews at all costs.

by Swamp Panther on Jul 2, 2011 12:57 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Cecil said several disturbing things in the article

“We’ve got a good agent team together”
“I’m sure ownership is going to understand it’s imperative that we get these numbers together….” Cecil is confident that DeMaurice Smith and his lawyers will protect the interests…
There was an interview at the family home where Cam was excited and gave Cecil a Rolex and it could have been a rock from the yard gauging from Cecil’s reaction. If Cecil had succeeded in selling Cam how would he have gotten him to attend Miss. St.? How about order him to or did Cam already know? I think Cam does exactly what Cecil says and I foresee a lot of problems with getting Cam signed with his daddy involved.

by 7QBdraw on Jul 2, 2011 7:54 PM EDT reply actions

There's a new agency in the game: Loch Ness Sports Agents, Inc.

Has anybody seen Otah. What, did he just fall off the planet, or become a new one?

by Rick Bates on Jul 3, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Partners include Cecil Newton AND Archie Manning.

Has anybody seen Otah. What, did he just fall off the planet, or become a new one?

by Rick Bates on Jul 3, 2011 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

C'mon Man!

It’s his father Cecil doesn’t want to go anywhere and Cam doesn’t want him to. Nor should he leave. You also forget that the whole scandal is hearsay anyway.

by jai6y6 on Jul 2, 2011 8:07 PM EDT reply actions

He does seem to be aweful hands on given Newton is grown and what...21-22 yrs old?

He seems to be acting like a father chaperoning his kid. I do find it worrisome but agree with others it could amount to nothing. Time will tell

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by Jaxon on Jul 2, 2011 8:23 PM EDT reply actions

When the two are together Cam acts like the little boy who just wants his father's approval and doesn't get it much

I’d be willing to bet Cecil was a stern, demanding and controlling father.Does the comment about DeMaurice and his LAWYERS make you think there is some conversation between the two? As far as hearsay regarding the NCAA violations, I doubt they would have gotten this far (and continuing) without some substance but I don’t care what happens to Cecil or if Cam has to give the Heisman back. I just want him to sign a reasonable contract and play football since we’ve got him..But I will go on record that I believe there will be contract issues.

by 7QBdraw on Jul 2, 2011 9:26 PM EDT reply actions

Commendations

I would like to commend the people on the Cat Scratch Reader for expressing valid concerns in a reasonable and thoughtful manner. It is a welcome change from the hate, hyperbole, hysteria and flat out lies and slamder found on so many sites here in Alabama and also some national ones. Our family are Auburn fans, season ticket purchasers, some alums, a former Tigerette, some Scholarship donors, etc.; not exactly an unbiased bunch. I don’t know any of the Newton family personally, but my husband has met Cam, and we also know people who went to school with him at Auburn ( he really did go to classes—i have seen photographic evidence)—nothing but good reports. His mom seems really nice, but his dad doen’t seem to have a bubbly personality. He was actually interviewed at IMG in Florida , where besides Cam being there his younger brother (going in to 7th grade) was attending a football camp. Don’t know if it was a residential camp , also there are sometimes events at sports camps where parents are invited to observe. I am impressed that Panther fans are asking questions instead of just accepting 3rd or 4th hand hearsay negativity. At the very least, Mr. Newton can not be accused of being an absentee or uninvolved dad!

by Anne Curtis Davidson on Jul 3, 2011 1:01 PM EDT reply actions