I actually wrote about this twice two offseasons ago which a really minor thing got blown up into an indictment of Newton:
Is Newton Being Misunderstood Yet Again? - Cat Scratch Reader
Yesterday during Cam Newton's press conference Jordan Gross photo-bombed Newton with a quick little dance behind his back. Newton didn't respond to Jordan in a typical fashion and therefore he has again opened himself up for scrutiny.
In the full video you can see Newton is actually being coy with the crowd about acknowledging what just happened but then cracks a joke about it when asked the next question. But let's not let the whole story ruin a good chance to smear Newton yet again. Clicks are clicks right?
A couple weeks later I wrote a little more in-depth on the topic:
Cam Newton: The Most Misunderstood Player in the NFL - Cat Scratch Reader
I say misunderstood because the reality is Newton is not the person most seem to enjoy making him out to be. I say this based on covering Newton the past two years in depth; we here at CSR have pretty much logged every move he has made since being the #1 pick overall by the Panthers in 2011. We've seen every interview, practically every picture, certainly every play on the field. We've discussed them in detail.
My opinion is also based on what we haven't seen, referring to the night time trouble a lot of young, suddenly wealthy athletes tend to do. Certainly a guy coming to the NFL with his reputation won't be long for an overnight trip to the pokey for some stupid, alcohol influenced TMZ fiasco is what I'm sure many out there are hoping for. We have not seen it with Cam.
All of my positive comments and justification for viewing Newton in a positive light still stand intact two years later. He has still proven to a role model for those around him on and off the field yet some recent events show the perception of Newton outside the Panther fan base is still lacking.
This recent article sums up the recent events nicely:
If You Dislike Annoying People, Root For Cam Newton To Win The Super Bowl
Few if any players in the NFL have dealt with as much annoying off-the-field criticism as Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton this season. Despite his MVP-caliber year, a 15-1 record in the regular season and a divisional-round playoff victory over the defending NFC Champions, Newton just couldn't convince some people that he was good enough for their love. He was labeled a "classless" man filled with "egotism, arrogance and poor sportsmanship."
There was the mom from Tennessee who was disturbed by Cam Newton's touchdown dancing, and the woman who criticized Newton for not marrying his girlfriend, who had just given birth to a baby boy. There was the person who was upset that the quarterback tossed a Seahawks banner after the Panthers defeated Seattle 31-24 in the divisional round, and the many other people who commended all three of them for calling out the quarterback.
You probably will never be able to convince these people that Newton is a strong role model. But there is one way you can let your voice be heard: You can root for Newton to win every damn award possible for the rest of the postseason.
Despite what these individuals believe, Newton is a man worth cheering on. He has an infectious smile and an undeniable love for the game. He is the kind of man who will make a 6-year-old cancer victim feel like the most important person in the world, and he has dealt with the inane criticism thrown his way with professionalism and class each time.
I'm not sure why I would have expected the perception of Newton to improve. With winning comes more scrutiny...and envy. After all he is leaving a lot of disappointing opposing fans in his 15-1 wake. Yet my resolve to support Newton just grows. It's been nice to finally see him get the recognition for his on the field play, I just wish some poeple would take a moment to really understand the person that is Cam Newton.
Since writing about this two years ago Newton has done so much more good things it just exasperates me to still see the criticism that other plays seem to avoid easily. You think Newton is the only out of wedlock father in the NFL? I bet there is at least one (or more) on every team. Is he the first to toss aside a symbol from another team? Please...
I know what kind of man Cam Newton is and have no problem holding him up as a role models to my two young sons. So just let me make one thing clear.
Cat Scratch Reader believes in Cam Newton. You come here talking smack about Cam Newton and you will get banned, period. It is only your willful ignorance that keeps you from appreciating one of the finest individuals to grace Bank of America Stadium. If you disagree, sit back, get over yourself and enjoy the show.
Keep Pounding!
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