There’s a lot of great stuff that comes along with being an elite professional athlete. Tens of millions of dollars in paychecks and endorsement deals, all of the romantic liaisons you could ever want, little kids worshipping the ground you walk on. All great things. But the worst part of being a professional athlete is the Coliseum-like atmosphere of the post-lose interview. It’s like sports journalists are just waiting to rip the loser into shreds, hoping to get the athlete to break. Because I’ve been watching so much tennis lately, I’ve gotten used to a certain level of class and grace from the post-match interview – even in defeat, a Roger Federer or Serena Williams or Andy Murray will sit for 30 minutes and answer the same questions (“Why did you lose?” and “Do you think you could have played better?”) over and over.
So, the Panthers lost to the Broncos at Super Bowl 50 last night. I won’t get into the logistics of it, mostly because I’m not a football person and mostly because I watched the first half and I was like, “Yeah, the Broncos are going to win.” So Panthers QB Cam Newton had to sit through an excruciating post-lose press conference in which every sports journalist in the world basically asked him variations of the same questions: Why did you lose, bro? Are you sad that you lost? How sad, man? After several minutes of muttering answers like “we got outplayed” and “we lost,” “They scored more points than us,” Cam Newton had enough. He walked out of his post-game presser.
"I don’t know what you want me to say, I’m sorry." – A dejected Cam Newton walks off the podium abruptly. #SB50
— NFL (@NFL) February 8, 2016
Now, was there a better way to handle this? Of course. He could have shown some grace and class and the headlines today wouldn’t be so bad. But in his defense… he JUST lost the Super Bowl. He barely had time to process that. Of course he felt like a loser. And what else did you want him to say?
As for Peyton Manning… everyone wondered why he took the time to mention Budweiser during his post-victory interview. Budweiser is not one of his many endorsements, although Variety points out that he has some ownership stakes in some Louisiana beer companies that “deal with Anheuser-Busch.” In any case, Anheuser-Busch wants you to know that they didn’t pay Manning to name-drop their beer. My guess? Manning wants to add Budweiser to his portfolio of endorsements so he was giving them a taste of what he could do for their brand.
Champion. #SB50 pic.twitter.com/rnCcAxKEZI
— NFL (@NFL) February 8, 2016
Photos courtesy of Getty.
I found Peyton forcing Bud plugs into both his interview and his little speech during the awards ceremony very tasteless and tacky. This is why I’ve never liked him – he’s just an empty suit shilling for money.
Come on. Be fair. You say that like Manning is some talentless hack. He’s no different than any other athlete of his caliber, taking full advantage of endorsement opportunities.
Peyton was not giving an endorsement, and was not paid a cent to say Budweiser twice. The man drinks Budweiser, and is one of the classy football player’s on the field today. Cam Newton on the other hand… I guess his Mother never made him share his toys! Ego deflation is a tough one.
Peyton is also a part owner in two Budweiser distributorships. So he is legitimately a fan.
It was mild compared to the multitude of plugs in racing interviews, IMO.
It was awkward for sure, he namedropped them more than anything. The first time ok sure a little weird that you specifically mention that brand of beer. He said it like 5 more times after that, I was rolling my eyes so over it. But maybe he wants their endorsement just in case this is his last time on the rodeo.
Have you guys seen the gif of Payton’s brother’s reaction when he realized they won?! Everyone else is so excited, clapping, hugging and he stands there looking so disappointed. LOL! Google Eli’s reaction to Peyton winning SuperBowl.
I did. That is a competitive family and Eli had the advantage of another ring. I remember when Eli won and Peyton did a fist pump and was genuinely happy for him. Eli is good, but Peyton will be remembered as GOAT.
Also, Cooper is looking goooood. If he had not been ill, I wonder where he would rank.
I saw that too. Not a good showing of support, for the GOAT.
I saw that too. He had that look of sibling jealousy lol.
I just can’t comprehend how someone can be competitve with their sibling. Not to that extent at least. His brother just won the biggest thing in his field and he’s not happy? Jesus.
There was still 3 minutes left in the game. I think Eli’s stoicism was because he knew that a win wasn’t yet a sure thing.
Also, the Helen Mirren Budweiser Commercial made me love the brand so much that I don’t mind the shameless plugs by Peyton.
Meh. I don’t really get all the hand wringing over Eli’s face. For all we know, he just had a fight with his wife or something (is he married? I have no idea) or didn’t sleep the night before. Anything could have been going on.
Isn’t that just what Eli’s face looks like?
It did look pretty funny, but I think it was just because Eli knew the game wasn’t won yet, and was considering whether the Broncos should try the PAT or go for two. I don’t think it had anything to do with jealousy.
Yeah I wondered why he kept mentioning Bud ! Also, the first person he gave a hug and kiss to was the owner of Papa John’s !
I agree. While I’m not a big Cam fan, I find the love fest surrounding Peyton interesting. The guy is not Mr. Nice. From the drug scandal still going on where he threw his wife under the bus to the sexual harassment accusation from his college days which he ended up settling more then three times because he can’t keep his mouth shut, to the holier than thou, “I am a CHRISTIAN” hyperbole he throws in your face whenever he needs to explain himself, he is definitely not the Manning I’d be happy to spend time chatting with. He’s a self absorbed, cold and calculating guy who is very talented at what he does so he gets away with stuff the rest of us could never hope to.
Not a good move, but blown out of proportion by the media.
My thoughts exactly. I had no horse in this race (I would have been happy with a Panthers win just like I’m fine with a Broncos win) and I do think it was a silly thing to do on Newton’s part, but to act like he burned down a hospital on Valentine’s Day is a bit overblown.
After a while it must get really annoying answering the same question over and over again, especially when you just lost the freaking Super Bowl.
My son plays baseball. When he and his team lost in the final game of a big tournament, they all cried and said sorry to their coaches like they were guilty of killing their family pets. I think it’s a sense of responsibility and respect that causes athletes to get so down on themselves when they fall short of victory. At least Newton didn’t act like a punk and try to offer up a lot of excuses or belittle the Broncos win. Could he have handled it better, absolutely. I have seen much worse… Marshawn Lynch Or Richard Sherman just to name a couple.
Sherman explained and apologized, profusely. Marshawn was making a point the only way he could. Cam was being a sore loser, but I guess time will tell whether or not he redeems himself.
@mimi Sherman didn’t do anything wrong! He played an amazing game went to congratulate his opponent and got head butted and reacted like any normal person would have! Then he got raked across the coals for it. The media and peoples reaction to Sherman was inexcusable and the media was frankly racist calling a magnum cum lauded standford graduate a thug. Please!!! Sorry but I don’t even watch football think it’s a barbaric stupid sport and that Sherman attack gets me angry!
As for this man, Cam. I don’t think he did anything wrong. Yeah he should have probably stayed but to me it looks like he answered the questions took a lot of personal responsibility and ownership for the loss and was upset. No reason to make a big deal except to use it as an example of taking pride in your work and a learning experience of not walking way even if you want to. But I think for the most part he handled this with class.
Huge Richard Sherman fan here and yes the media frenzy was racist and disgusting. That said, he did act like an asshole (which I kind of loved, actually) and apologized, which I thought was super classy.
Mr. Newton’s contract / salary MINUS the endorsements is:
$103,800,000 contract with the Carolina Panthers, including a $22,500,000 signing bonus, $60,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $20,760,000.
They PAY him to act professional.
Sherman is brash and loud and articulate – and he is ALL OURS!
If the worst you can do in the NFL is Richard Sherman or Marshawn Lynch, then you’re doing pretty well indeed. Both are men with very distinctive personalities and quirks, but are also incredible human beings who are hugely involved in giving back to the community (Sherman was the Seahawks finalist for the Walter Payton Award). But sure, Sherman grabbed a mic and yelled a bunch of stuff into it once.
There is absolutely no excuse. Many a men have been in that same position and handled it with maturity and professionalism….even though it must suck!
He’s young and hopefully he’ll learn from his mistake. But as my husband so eloquently put it….”if you’re going to be flashy (pre-game antics) stay classy in defeat.”
That’s a great saying!
@Mgsota – I was just going to say the same thing. Newton is young. He’ll have another Super Bowl shot since he’s clearly on his way to being one of the leagues best. (This year was not a fluke for sure.) But part of being one of the greats is learning how to take defeat gracefully.
As for Manning shilling for his product….I saw it as no different than those Nascar racers saying “The Budweiser Dorito Ford ran great today.” He’s a businessman. Plus, he’d clearly worked out a statement to avoid answering the retirement question. So the guy decided to plug his own investment. No big deal to me. But then, I like Peyton a lot, so I’m biased.
Yep.
I agree, he handled it poorly. He needs to grow up, I find him be a sore winner. His showy on-the-field antics like his “superman pose,” are so over dramatic. Therefore, it comes as no surprise, to me, that he is a sore loser. He needs to learn to win and lose with grace.
He is young and will have many other opportunities. God willing he stays healthy, to win a Super Bowl. Manning is at the end of his career, I, for one, am glad, he went out on top.
And that asshole racist Bill Whatshisbutt calling him “boy” in a tweet. For that reason alone I am #TeamCam all the way.
-TheRealPinky
Pinky: correct. so much of this had to do with the racist undertones of the whole game. He doesn’t have a poor attitude, nor is he a bad sport. Above all, he’s not a boy. HE’s a man, and of course politically everyone is saying the game was rigged so aging White Manning could go out on a high note. Either way, I’m team Cam. He gets a complete pass from me for walking out.
The game was rigged? This wasn’t a case of a couple bad calls making the difference between a win and a loss, they were OUTPLAYED, end of.
Really want to give Cam a pass because he’s a phenom athlete, AND because he’s a young, vocal black man, but he’s proven time and time again that he’s a brat. Ripping that flag out of a Seattle fan’s hand after his team destroyed the Hawks in the playoffs was just weak AF and speaks volumes.
ETA: Ditto to what Kitten said. Anybody that knows ball could see that both teams played their asses off.
Rigged for White Manning? Are you serious?
Rigged? How exactly? Do you know which calls people are pointing to to support that? Because I watched the entire game very closely, and I can think of one call that could have gone the other way, but it was a very, very close thing.
However, what was very obvious was that Cam Newton was worn out by the time the second half rolled around. You could see it on his face. Before the first 1/4 ended, I looked at my husband and quoted The Replacements – “Winners always want the ball when the game is on the line.” Newton likes to have the ball. That also opens him up to being hit a lot more. And that was taking a toll on him physically. Failing to put any more points on the board was taking a toll mentally. Then you add to that, the Broncos defense was on FIRE. I do not doubt this was Peyton Manning’s last season, and his team rallied to send him out on a high note (even though he personally played horribly last night). He owes every man on that defensive line a trip to the Caribbean.
I agree with everyone else saying this isn’t Newton’s last Super Bowl. He will be back.
That game wasn’t rigged at all. The Denver defense just shut it down like they’ve been doing all season. Defense wins football games.
@Kitty,
“the game was rigged so aging White Manning could go out on a high note.”
I hope you’re just repeating something and don’t actually believe this. First of all, rigged due to race? Are you aware the NFL is SEVENTY PERCENT African-American? The Panthers didn’t play very well last night. There was no faking the look of shock on Cam’s face when the football got stolen right out of his hand as he tried to make a pass. He was so shocked that he continued to go through the motion of throwing without the ball even being in his hand. In my opinion, a lot of Cam’s playing seemed like he was in a daze–almost as if he couldn’t recover once he saw they were losing. Another poster here noted that Cam seemed shell shocked during the whole second half once he realized their chances of winning were becoming bleak. There were a lot of mistakes made.
And for the record, “white Manning” didn’t even have all that great of a game… The Broncos defense is what really shined last night.
I have to reiterate what @Kitten has said here, The Broncos outplayed the Panthers and that’s the end of the story. There were no shady dealings.
Kitty, the only person who has been consistently bringing race into the equation is Cam Newton. People don’t like him because he’s arrogant and childish, he is the one who claims it’s because people can’t handle a black quarterback who wins. He totally discounts and disrespects people like Steve McNair, Warren Moon and Randall Cunningham none of whom I recall having any issues because of their race. More recently, people love Russell Wilson of Seattle, who won the Super Bowl just a couple of years ago.
Cam Newton needs to get over himself, get that enormous chip off his shoulder and get over it. He lost, he’ll be back because his team is that good. And he needs to stop disrespecting other black QBs like he’s the only one to ever play in the NFL.
Pinky, honey…. You might want to check that chip on your shoulder that is weighing you down. Bless your heart!
.
0neNonBlonde, thank you! I think Pinky missed the tantrum he threw on the sidelines after the Broncos last TD.
.
The NFL has nothing to do with race. If it did, then it would be sued for not having enough white players.
@Pinky I agree. The racist undertones are startling. I love the meme circulating that shows Cam smiling and congratulating Manning on the field right after the game. The message “Now why is it that this image doesn’t get circulated” That was powerful to me.
I honestly felt so bad for the guy. He almost looked like he was going to cry right before he walked off. Maybe unprofessional but I’ll forgive him.
I was rooting for Denver but I feel bad for him too. Additionally, you know dude had to be hurting physically as well as being possibly concussed. Not a fan of his attitude, but he’s a human being at the end of the day and to see him getting raked over the coals (some of which he deserves) is unsettling.
A lot of Panthers were crying. It is rough to lose a Super Bowl because for so many of them, this was their one shot. Some of the members of this team won’t even be there next year so this really was their one shot to all win together after a great season. But the problem is that there have been so many other men in the Super Bowl who’ve lost and managed to do it graciously. No one wants to sit there and have to answer those questions after losing something they worked so hard for, but they suck it up and do it because they’re adults and it is part of their job. Cam Newton is not the first QB to lose after a great season, plenty of other dudes have experienced that heart break as well, yet they managed to do it like adults.
Also, there were a bunch of times in the game where he threw a great pass but his teammates fumbled. It’s not like he played a crappy game which probably makes it even worse. I’m not a fan of either team and I think I may just have a soft spot for this guy because he looks like my nephew in 10 years lol.
He ran his ass off last night, he played so hard. When he didn’t go after that fumble in the 4th quarter I think it was obvious that he was collapsing. Poor guy. But time to suck it up, bruh!
Thank you. Look, I’m a 50 year old woman looking at Cam as a young man learning as he grows up. You could tell he was crushed at the loss and I too felt that he was close to tears of humiliation. Not everyone takes a loss of this magnitude with grace. Hopefully, Cam will learn from this and behave in a more professional manner down the line. But until then, try and give the guy a break.
Watched it and didn’t find it rude, and I’m critical of poor losers, but I just did not see it that way at all. The guy was just deflated and hurt…before he got up, he did say, “They just played better than we did.” I appreciated his honesty, as I always do with anyone, and found no fault with the way he handled the interview. And I was rooting for Denver, so I’m being objective.
He also shook hands with Peyton after the game too so its not like he was being a total sore loser. Ok, I really don’t even care about football, I’m gonna stop feeling bad for him now. Damn pregnancy hormones and his uncanny resemblance to my nephew!
I feel exactly the same way. I’m a mega fan of Manning so I was hoping he would get another ring last night but I really thought Newton played well. His entire team made little mistakes all night, him included. Carolina played as if they expected to win without working and Denver played like they were prepared. That is what it came down to. Admittedly I completely disagree with the incomplete pass call on Carolina, but that did not cost them the game. It came down to ego. Newton is young and talented, chances are he will be there again.
That incomplete pass ruling was bullsh-.
Agreed. Sure, it was “unprofessional.” So is crying at work when you get reprimanded, calling in sick when you are not sick, drinking too much at the office party, stealing post-its, and so forth. Everyone has their unprofessional moments. Most of us are just lucky enough not to have 50 cameras in our face when doing so.
I agree.
Of course people are going to be upset they lost the Super Bowl in front of 150-200 million people. It has become the height of sports success to win the Super Bowl. Yes he could have handled it better but I’d be pissed as hell if I had the season I had and then tanked at the biggest stage in sports. What is he supposed to do, laugh and smile?
When Peyton Manning (when he was on the Colts) lost to Drew Brees and the Saints in Super Bowl XLIV he left the field without shaking anyone’s hand and in the press conference threw his offensive line under the bus. He didn’t receive a fraction of the criticism Cam Newton is getting.
If athletes laugh, smile and joke around and don’t seem to care about losing a big match/game they’re called “soft” and asked why are they even playing if they don’t care to win. Then we get someone who is upset about losing and they’re told they are a poor sport. Athletes can’t win nowadays.
But Peyton didn’t walk out of the press conference like Newton did….
Get over yourself and get off Peyton’s nutsack.
Peyton refusing to shake hands with Drew Brees after the Saints beat the Colts is far more offensive and ill-mannered than walking out of a press conference. But given your other posts on here continue to let your racist freak flag fly.
We get it you think Cam is worse than Ray Rice, Greg Hardy, etc. while Peyton is the salt of the earth. At least Cam never sexually assaulted someone like Peyton has in the past.
Agreed. Understandably Cam was disappointed, perhaps even in his own performance. But he could have shown some professionalism and been slightly more gracious at the press conference. They know they have to do these after big games, so it isn’t like it was a huge surprise.
The media and social media has blown it way out. Either way, this will be forgotten in time. Let Cam move on to next season
He’s only human, but this was very unprofessional. It can’t always be sunshine and roses, but man up and do your job. Esepcially when you get million for running whilst holding a ball.
I’ve just googled the guy ( I’m European, I have no idea who these people are) and he has a kid named Chosen. Jesus Christ.
The guy mentioning Budweiser was really tacky also. Who does that?! I’ve never seen an athlete do that in such a celebratory moment.
And bad sportsmanship. Hate bad losers and bad winners.
Exactly. He had to go through what every single other athlete on the losing team has to go through after the SB. He’s been winning all year and now suddenly when he’s on the other side, he can’t handle it? Lame.
Yeah, but Cam Newton has ~always~ been unbearably arrogant. Going back to college, even. He strikes me as the kind of person who is fawned over constantly, and can’t really handle serious setbacks.
He sounds young and arrogant and not
used to losing.
I don’t think the criticism is racial. Gisele and Brady were crucified after she blamed the receivers for their loss several years ago. He got beaten up too, even though he didn’t say it.
Being a bad sport transcends any
racial boundaries. I hope he learns
From this criticism and grows from it.
Agreed 100%. I’m fresh out of pity for him. In every competition there is always going to be a loser and I know it’s rough to lose a big game like that, but it’s a part of the sport. And I don’t want to hear the excuse that he’s young. There have been plenty of other 26-year-old players who lost and didn’t get all pissy about it. Both Russell Wilson and Richard Sherman were 26 in last year’s Super Bowl and Colin Kaepernick was 26 during his Super Bowl loss. None of them threw the same kind of temper tantrum.
Now, I’ll grant you that the media was probably gunning for Cam given that he’s been boastful and it’s my perception that the media gets a lot of story out of a guy boasting all season long only to lose. And I have a lot of sympathy for him because it sucks to lose and his season was amazing. But the long and short of it is that Cam is a professional athlete. And losing, especially a big game, is a part of a professional athlete’s career. He has to deal with it.
Cam is a purposeful and confident athlete, a league MVP with a winning record.
When was he arrogant????
He has consistently been a cheerleader for his team. And yes, a 15-1 record speaks volumes of leadership, excellence, hard work, persistency, work ethic and determination.
Well then I guess every QB with a record similar should be called “arrogant” as well. SMDH.
Exactly. He’s not the first athlete on the losing team that has zero time to process said loss before heading into a press conference. It was rude and unprofessional
The Bud mention reminded me of the QBs saying “I’m going to Disneyland!!!” after every Superbowl win. It has been done before but going from the happiest place on earth to a crappy beer is disappointing.
DIsney has an endorsement with the MVP of the Super Bowl, hence why you see those ads or hear that comment. I believe the MVP typically gets a vehicle and the trip to Disney with their family, in return for the endorsement of Disney and an appearance at the park. This is my off the cuff knowledge, though. I might have some details incorrect there.
Not a good move. It’s called being a professional. This is the same guy who dances and dabs and calls out other people telling them to stop him and when a team finally does he can’t man up and face the media. His coach faced the media. His teammates faced the media. I remember people saying he grew up but this and everything else just shows that he hasn’t grown up one bit.
Right? He’s been so obnoxious all season, and now he got shut down and he can’t handle it? Speaks to his character.
Absolutely. Your true character shows when things don’t go your way and the going gets tough.
But he did face the media and answered questions. He shook Peyton’s hand at the end of game, something Peyton did not due at the end of the Superbowl against the Saints when he lost. I don’t recall the big media backlash against Peyton and yet we are all vilifying Cam? Why?
Just saw on Twitter that he walked out after hearing Harris (Broncos) explain their D strategy nearby. You can see Cam pause for a second, like the gravity of hearing how they tore him down hits him, and then he walks out. It’s pretty brutal, you’d think the NFL would conduct interviews of opposing teams in separate rooms, not separated by a freaking sheet FFS.
https://twitter.com/bmweezy13/status/696704493514334208
@ Eliz-
THAT IS a hard to pill to swallow…
Yikes!!!
OH PLEASE. Not one bit? Talk to a person who lives in Charlotte sometime and they will beg to differ. He is BELOVED here for many reasons, most of which is his unparalleled dedication to making his fans (particularly the young ones) happy. Cam Newton is the freaking best, and I am so tired of this lazy criticism of him. Do a little research on thr guy sometime and you’ll see that he has most definitely grown up. He just lost the biggest game of his life. Having to answer all those dumb, repetitive questions is ridiculous in the first place.
And the person who said he’s the only one who makes it about race… wake up. He FINALLY called it out, but it’s been about race for his entire 5 years in the league. The happy black man is dancing! MY GOD WHAT WILL WE TELL THE CHILDREN?!
Time to put on the big boy panties and man up. You get paid a lot of money and this is part of your job. PM has been gracious in the past after losing and I have no doubt he would have been so last night had his team lost.
Not a Cam Newton fan because of his showboating, but he could have earned major points by being gracious about the loss. Instead he acted like a sulking child, confirming that he can dish it out, but can’t take it. I agree those after game questions are repetitive and inane, but it’s part of the job to be professional and put your best face on even in a humiliating loss. Peyton Manning has been gracious when his team lost and would have been so last night if the tables had been turned.
Google Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. PM refused to shake DB’s hand after losing to the Saints (WHO DAT!) at the super bowl in 2010. They ALL have their moments.
I think the difference is that Peyton doesn’t showboat like Cam does so when his disappointment is evident as in the case of not shaking Drew’s hand, he more or less gets a pass. I’m not excusing it, but Cam is such a gloater on the field when things are going well for him that he’ll get ripped apart online for being a sore loser. He should be more gracious in winning and losing, imo.
It really is OK for Cam to feel good about his team’s record, 15-2. Really.
It sucks to lose a game you really wanted to win. Psychological warfare on the football field is expected. Taunting is expected. The media is not neutral about Cam because no one is ever neutral about big personalities. Cam IS a charismatic, successful, young and highly gifted QB, with many more years to give, grow and learn in his football career.
He is NOT a choir boy and does not need to be in order to be liked AND respected. Losing the Super Bowl hurts. I am sure he has many mentors who will guide him through and help him put things back into perspective.
He has been professional for all of the games that he has played this year. He EARNED the respect from his peers as the league MVP.
He already has given the fans plenty to celebrate. A lot of fans were watching just to see if he could win.
Cam IS a good egg. He will learn from this experience.
I don’t watch football, but I’ve heard of Peyton Manning for a long time. I don’t think its fair to compare this young guy to Peyton. Peyton has a lot more media experience if hes been in football for awhile. And I’m sure he has, as I’ve seen him in commercials and he’s polished enough to plug a beer company. Not a fair comparison, IMO.
I’ve watched Peyton off and on since his college playing days, and he has always been classy in that regard. Frustrated a bit maybe, but never unprofessional overall, that I can recall.
I feel bad for him, not saying his team didn’t play good but this game he was by himself. Everyone was saying it, literally the CBS hosts here were commenting that might as well do the runs because it seemed his team wasn’t doing anything. I feel like he felt let down by his team. He played really well, he’s young & he’ll learn from his mistakes.
I don’t think what he did warrants all the criticism he’s getting. Yesterday a retired football player called him “boy” and said he would never last in the league and people went in on him (rightfully so) for his racism and the fact that Cam is clearly here to stay. And then Rob Lowe jumped in saying he isn’t a good role model, as if Rob sexually harassing his nanny and having sex with a minor on videotape is what makes a “good role model”.
If a white football player had done what Cam did most people would’ve been “understanding” and would’ve let this go. When Belichick refuses to answer questions in press conferences and leaves early etc people make it into a joke and a grumpy old man thing.
@anna difference is belichick isn’t the quarterback, he’s the coach. The coaches are held to a different standard. If Brady (since that would be the comparable example here not the coach) had done this you better believe he would have gotten the same sh*t. The media would have had a field day.
As the media did when Brady’s wife responded while being harassed by Giants fans after a Super Bowl loss.
Thank you! That comparison doesn’t work on any level.
Except Tom Brady has walked out on a press conference after a loss?
@marty-Brady walked out of the post-game press conference after losing the Super Bowl? Nope. When the Pats lost the Super Bowl he stayed and answered questions. He’s had to do that not once, but four times.
Peyton Manning also stayed and answered questions after two Super Bowl losses. Cam deserves the criticism.
“Peyton Manning also stayed and answered questions after two Super Bowl losses.”
As have scores of other losing QBs. Cam needs to learn to lose better. I hope this will turn out to be a chance for him to grow up and mature a bit.
I think, even better than Tom Brady, the best comparison to Cam Newton would be an age-similar peer, like Russell Wilson. You didn’t see Russell Wilson sulking and walking out of last year’s Super Bowl 49, like a giant man-baby. Russell Wilson actually took responsibility for the loss, like a good team leader should.
Such a difference. Cam Newton has some growing to do.
@Kitten- thought we were talking generally, not Super Bowl specific. My mistake.
I don’t want to reiterate my comment below, I’ll just say from a personal standpoint and as someone who really doesn’t know or care about football, I’m giving him a pass.
I’m not comparing him to Brady. I’m comparing this to the reaction Giselle received after a Super Bowl loss when a Giants fan, who shouldn’t have been anywhere near her, harassed her and Bianca Wilfork and she pointed out that it wasn’t her husband’s job to catch the football.
Anna,
Of course, it warrants the criticism. It’s sports and the NFL actually penalizes unsportsmanlike conduct on the field. Off the field being a professional and being a good sport, is expected as well.
It’s why so many speeches sound the same. There’s is no I in team. We executed our game plan. The other team played well but we created opportunities to win. Blah, blah, blah.
However, it’s those standard and expected responses that also make Cam’s actions newsworthy. Especially, with 24 hour sports channels. It’s their news and why it’s picked apart. So obviously, sulking after bragging, is big news.
That said, if Peyton Manning had the bad manners to announce his retirement on the field. The sport press would be attacking him for stealing the thunder from the rest of the team and not letting them enjoying the win. And precious but limited sports time on the local news stations would have been set aside to discuss Manning and putting up retrospectives on his career. Rather than discuss the Superbowl win.
If anything, coaches are expected to be gruff. So there is no comparison there. But their gruff remarks are dissected on the news too.
The boy remark, is from an Oakland Raider who have a long history of being the “bad boys” of the NFL. That said, he was probably referring to acting like a little boy such as falling on the ground when losing. Romanowski is actually a well known brutal player so it’s likely he was discussing the perceived weakness displayed. But I can’t speak to his heart so it’s just as likely it could have been a racist remark.
However, unlike your theory, the white football player/Romanowski is rightfully getting flak for the remark. It’s not being “let go.”
Kitty: A couple of points: 1. Romanowski was a Bronco for a lot longer than he was a Raider, winning at least 1, and maybe 2 Super Bowls with the Broncos. He was as dirty with the Broncos as he was as a Raider. 2. If Peyton had announced his retirement in the field, he wouldn’t have been ridiculed, he’d have been celebrated. The larger point that different rules and standards apply to different players absolutely does exist, on and off the field. Is it a race thing? Not necessarily, but the NFL became the biggest game in town, in part, by marketing its golden boys: Peyton, Brady, Favre, Young, Montana, etc. Just after winning, Peyton decided it was a good time to shill for his beer distributorship His Papa Johns franchises and his Gatorade sponsor. It was gross. The Broncis won yesterday despite Peyton. I’m not defending Cam. He has to be more professional, but this notion that Peyton and Cam are held to similar standards is fantasy.
To Carolina fans, this is why some can’t get on board with Cam Newton. It’s easy to be charming and a good leader and dab and be the next big thing, the new face of the league when everything goes your way. When you lose, when you fall short? That’s when you show your true character. Cam still has some growing up to do. Because I don’t remember Peyton Manning sulking and cutting out of a press conference early when the Seahawks smashed the Broncos. I don’t remember the losing teams throwing a hissy fit in press conferences in the last few Super Bowls. But this is an old criticism of Cam’s – that when the going gets tough, he peaces out and reverts to old bad habits.
It’s the same criticism you can leverage against any celeb who treats any part of their job as beneath them – actors are paid to do press junkets and athletes are paid to do press conferences, rain or shine win or lose. You are paid millions and for football players you are paid millions to do something that will adversely affect your health down the road. So if you’re going to sulk about something, why not that – cry about how you’re trading health in later years for glory now.
This forever.
Barry Bonds did when the Giants lost the World Series a few years ago. He was downright nasty, calling reporters stupid for asking the same types of questions Cam Newton got last night. He was rightly called out for it, but he had such a reputation for being a jerk that most people just shrugged their shoulders and said, “That’s Barry.”
Now just replace that press conference with the Oscars. You take an actor or actress who are nominated for an Oscar, go through all the weeks of endless promotion, press conferences/interviews, answering the same questions. Then at the ceremony end up not getting the award, how many of them would have walked out if not for the fact the camera would notice them leaving or the empty chair?
Can you imagine if the actors who lost had to do press and be asked why exactly they lost the Oscar? LOL
I would so want to see that! Their performances would be worthy of an Oscar!
I watched the NFL honors award show Saturday night and was thinking these guys clearly aren’t as accomplished as actors at knowing they can be on camera at any moment during an award show…. It was kind of funny/refreshing. I don’t think anyone did anything terrible, it was just like an audience full of more ‘normal’ people reactions to stuff.
As for Cam, if the worst things people can say about you is you smile and dance when you win and sulk when you lose, you are doing okay. Everyone take a chill pill…
Exactly. People are being way harsh. The kid just lost the most important game of his career. It’s not that easy holding your emotions in when you are used to pushing yourself and winning and now you’re on the losing side. He didn’t even go off, he just ended the interview. Way overblown.
You could tell when it finally sunk in that the game was lost for the Panthers, and Cam looked shell shocked. I think what we’re seeing is someone who thought they couldn’t lose, and couldn’t handle it when the unthinkable happened. It’s going to be a tough lesson for him.
Yes, it was a different Newton out there, he didn’t enjoy himself for a second. You could tell at the start he was all nerves, and then like you said, shell-shock. I actually have a lot of sympathy for him in his presser walk-off, because to me it was merely an after-effect of what we had already seen on the field. I think the fact that he was so shaken and dejected (rather than defensive and over-confident) means that he could be open to learning from this (personal growth is scary as hell). In addition, the question that prompted him to leave was a question about essentially letting his tightly-knit team down. That would be such a gut-punch question if I felt responsible for the loss.
He looked exhausted from the end of the first quarter till it was done. I felt genuinely bad for him. He is the face of the whole team but wasn’t wholly responsible for losing that game.
It was very, very clear that this shook him to the core. And while he’s 26 and old enough to know better, I’m willing to cut him just a little bit of slack this time because this looks like it’s going to be a pretty huge life lesson for him. And honestly, he’s ridiculous, but this kind of stuff makes the game fun.
ITA agree with you, Bridget. I said this elsewhere, but I think he was utterly exhausted and possibly concussed. We hold these athletes to such an extreme physical and mental standard, it’s kind of disturbing the way they are treated when they fail. I don’t appreciate the way Cam conducts himself some of the time, but I think in this scenario he deserves a little slack.
I’ll take an arrogant Cam Newton over a Ray Rice any day, you know? Villains make the game fun.
The Broncos defense knew exactly how to stop Cam and I don’t think he was prepared for that. He couldn’t run the ball like he normally does, and his teammates weren’t able to protect him from being sacked.
I’m a huge Auburn fan and don’t really like Cam Newton and his daddy for almost costing us our 2010 season, and Wes Byrum is the one who won us the Nat’l Championship (not that I am bitter or anything), but I was hoping for a Panthers win. Was he rude to walk off? Yes, but he’s 26, he’s never done this before and has a lot of growing up to do. I will give him a slight pass only because he looks like he genuinely congratulated Peyton and didn’t just blow him off to pitch a fit.
I’ve already had to unfriend people on FB saying “way to stay ghetto!” Um, no it’s being a poor loser or unsportsmanlike conduct. Walking off isn’t “ghetto.”
One of the announcers in the post game commentary talked about how the Broncos are much more to deal with in action than watching videos might suggest. I thought they were giving the Panthers a good excuse for being shocked by what happened.
This isn’t the first time a team was apparently overwhelmed. No point in being a bad sport about it.
I think a great offense can be really obvious and flashy, but a great defense just makes the other team look out of it. When the Patriots lost, as a casual fan I didn’t notice any huge amazing plays from the Broncos, it just looked like Brady couldn’t get it together.
Exactly, Wren. A good defense is a shiny QB’s worst nightmare.
It was always going to come down to the Broncos’ D, and they very clearly did their homework. But Cam got manhandled, and in a way that hasn’t happened all season. It was clearly a shock.
I thought it was a great game, and I was only rooting for Denver because I loathe the Panthers more. The Bronco’s D was a glorious thing to watch! My god that punt return was aMAYzing, and Von Miller was just a savage.
Sigh. I can’t wait for next season…
They know going in they have to do press, it’s part of their multi-million dollar contract. Thats why they get fined if they don’t. It’s part of the gig. He’s not the first quarterback to have to sit there and suck it up after a loss and he won’t be the last. He has no problem running his mouth when he’s winning but clearly can’t handle a loss.
Exactly this. Suck it up, buttercup.
My sentiments exactly. Many, many losing QBs have sat there and answered the same questions with grace and professionalism. Hell, Manning’s had to do it TWICE.
Cam let the media hype go to his head and didn’t consider the possibility that despite having a QB in the twilight of his career, the Broncos had a great defense — one that would win the game. He needs to grow up and humble himself a bit.
@ nutballs–
His team’s winning season was REAL. The post game winning season was REAL as well. He should hold his head up high for that – the entire team earned it.
Only one team wins in a super bowl. His offensive line could not hold the defensive line, his players were dropping passes lodged directly in their hands, and the running game was shutdown. Seven sacks, an interception, a fumble, a touchback, three deflected balls, a missed field goal and a mountain of unfortunate penalties might shock even the most graceful player.
The humble pie was served throughout the game. I felt bad for Cam. he looked like he was the only player that wanted to win on his team.
Peyton’s record for the night was not at all impressive. In fact, neither QB did well. In the end the Broncos defense won the Super Bowl for the Broncos; however, victory goes to every player who contributed throughout the entire season.
Nailed it. Said something similar above.
That appears to be the issue.
Exactly, it’s part of the job.
And if Cam was smart he would be more professional because it’s also where he’ll win and keep those big money endorsements. Even long past his NFL career.
Mainstream companies don’t want to hire players that can’t handle themselves in those losing moments.
I’m going to give the poor guy a break. He got sacked like 20 times!!! I’m sure physically felt like crap, along with mentally feeling like crap. I watched this happen live. He didn’t walk off until in the background you hear very loudly a bronco person/fan/player/coach? talking about the win. He isn’t perfect and never claimed to be. He had a million things running through his mind then these idiotic questions. Reporter:why did you lose? Cam: they scored more points. That made me chuckle. I mean what do these reporters want from him? Ask him professional questions and you might be get professional answers. And, I love Manning but the shameless plug for bud was weird and out of place.
Yeah, that was funny. Sounded like something I would say. What a stupid question.
I personally find those press conferences absolutely grating, as well as all of the “quickie” interviews on the sidelines throughout the games. I’d love to see that stuff just end, it doesn’t enhance games for me at all.
However, Newton could’ve handled it better.
I mean he did get sacked like 3x right? It’s disappointment on top of embarrassment and so on. It wasn’t a good look, but this is a bit blown out of proportion.
Cam was sacked SIX times, lost two fumbles and had a pass intercepted for a touchdown. He should have been more emotionally prepared for getting pounded by their defense, which is the best on the league.
Everyone who watches this game knows that the best offense cannot beat the best defense. Games are won on defense.
I don’t even know who these people are, but I went to a Cub Scout award ceremony yesterday and one of the moms told me she just loves Peyton Manning because he such a good Christian and I mentally said to myself “don’t cuss”. Is he the one who’s a virgin?
That’s Tim Tebow.
Does she know the Peyton Manning is suspected of throwing his wife under the bus with regards to a doping scandal? SUCH a “good Christian.”
And, was accused of sexual assault on a female athletic trainer at UT in 1996.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/02/01/peyton-s-manning-s-forgotten-sex-scandal.html
***huge asterisk.
Kidding! But you know, it’s nice that it isn’t Brady for once.
No. The virgin was Tim Tebow. Russell Wilson (Seahawks) is celebate. Peyton is married with kids.
Peyton Manning:
1.) Teabagged a female trainer while he was at UT and refused to apologize for it claiming that the woman deserved it because she was “mouthy.”
2.) Refused to shake hands with Drew Brees or any of the New Orleans Saints after he and the Colts lost Super Bowl XLIV. After the game he threw his offensive line under the bus and in his press conference blamed them for the loss.
3.) Sent HGH to his address under his wife’s name thereby throwing his wife under the bus
4.) Sent people to harass those quoted in the report about him using HGH. Deadspin has the 911 call from a woman where people claiming to be agents showed up at her parent’s house. Turns out they were guys hired by Manning’s PR people to harass them.
Cam Newton has issues and he may be arrogant but Peyton Manning gets a free ride for the s**t he has pulled.
He’s a poor sport. As an athlete, you know someone is going to win, and someone is going to lose. You need to be able to handle both events with tact and grace. His team was outplayed last night. He should have been proud they made it so far, and pleased that he had the support of so many.
Here we go.
Its let’s tear this dude to shreads time.
Did he handle it as he should’ve? No.
Is this the first time someone (including coaches) have done this? No.
Did he look like he needed to have a good cry on and off the field? Yep.
It happens people.
This happens people.
Move on.
+1. I save my censure and pearl-clutching re: the NFL for drunk driving, domestic violence, crappy concussion protocols that put players at risk, public money-grubbing executives and owners, and a dearth of post-retirement medical and psychiatric support. I’m sure there are some more things I should add to this list, but leaving a presser early or not talking to the press are definitely not on it.
Is it pearl clutching or just criticism? Of course those things you just listed are worse than walking off, but come on. It was completely unprofessional. He wasn’t the first QB to lose an important game. You won’t always win. He’s a grown man, suck it up.
I said _my_ pearl-clutching. And it’s pearl-clutching for me because I worry and complain about these things and then I still watch football, so I’m not really helping bring about a change, am I? I think it is the rare player who can be flashy or emotional or aggressive or whathaveyou out on the field, and then be completely different off the field, so if part of what I appreciate about Newton is his full-blown emotional investment when he’s on the field, then I’m a hypocrite to criticize him when he’s off the field and still being the same person (by my own personal standards that is, I think other people could like him on field and criticize his presser for perfectly consistent reasons to them). People who don’t like him on or off the field are free to let loose. I only speak for myself.
@ livvers
Exactly, this is a nothing compared to other stuff done by players. Bfd, he ended an interview.
Agree with DesertReal, Livvers, and Snowflake.
He’s getting far more criticism than Ray Rice, Greg Hardy, etc. ever received. The NFL pays lip service to domestic violence and concussions (in fact they just pulled money from a concussion support group they were supposed to be funding) yet people lose their minds when the NFL is criticized.
But let’s all get the vapors because Cam Newton was disappointed he lost the Super Bowl. The outrage machine is in full effect.
There is no way in hell that Cam is getting more criticism than Rice/Hardy . The public absolutely eviscerated both players. Didn’t President Obama even weigh in? In fact, it was the public outcry that prompted the NFL to act; they then changed the punishment for Rice because Goodell is a douche. Cam is simply being criticized by the public because he has behaved badly and showed poor sportsmanship. The criticized behavior is not, and should not, be compared to those other two.
He shook hands and congratulated the Broncos on the field and said they deserved to win. Then he walked out of a press conference. Oh my god get the smelling salts. People like you fainting and clutching yourself like he murdered someone. The racists are really showing their colors on this thread.
Go check Twitter, Ray Rice and Greg Hardy got a hell of a lot more support than the nuke bombs getting thrown Cam’s way. Even Manziel is getting treated better than Cam. Manziel is a druggie and beats his girlfriend yet he’s getting the “Poor guy. He needs help” treatment rather than getting criticized for being a spoiled rich brat who’s had everything handed to him his entire life.
Go check the twitter comments calling Cam a thug then get back to me.
He was just like everyone else who watched last night. This was not the game to lose your offense. It seem liked it was a completely different team out there last night. It is like the wind was knocked out of them after that coaches challenge did not go their way. On top of not having no time to process, yeah, this could have gone alot worse in interviews.
They had never faced the best defense in the league. That’s why they didn’t look like themselves last night. It completely shut down NC’s otherwise awesome offense.
He is the Kobe Bryant of the NFL. Completely throws a mini tantrum when he loses. Jeez.
He did not throw a “mini-tantrum.”
He participated then ended the interview phase. There was no yelling or name-calling. Just an end that he initiated.
His walk-out was seen as rude. OK.
But Mini-tantrum? No.
My hope is that he will grow and learn… and FIX his unprofessional exit by making an apology in later interviews.
Did you see him lying on the field after Denver scored ther last touchdown? Sorry, that’s a tantrum and typical Cam.
@ Jessa-
He was upset that the ref did not call a penalty that should have been called. He was reacting to the ref NOT throwing the penalty flag.
We have seen MANY coaches and players become animated when they feel a call was overlooked or dismissed by a ref.
It was a nightmare of a game for Cam. No doubt about it. He did not throw nor “storm out” of the press conference. He walked off silently. Rude? Yes, because he may be fined for walking off.
I say this as a woman who is a Panthers fan and is currently in mourning. 🙂 Every year someone looses the superbowl and handles that interview professionally so if you walk out I think it is rude and unprofessional. This is not a surprise-he knows it’s coming. He’s not the first to loose the superbowl and he won’t be the last. He has to remember that in public he represents the team and when you act the fool it looks bad on everyone in his organization. It’s as much a part of his job as the stuff he does on the field,
HK(-exactly. Two teams play, and only one can win. They know that going in, and wile I have sympathy for the losing team and the awful pressers afterward, you have to stick it out. You are a PRO athlete. If anyone of us walked out on our job in the middle of a bad review, we’d likely be fired.
I thought you guys had this. Truly. I can understand your disappointment because the Panthers are far better than they showed yesterday. I wasn’t really routing for anyone (I’m a Pats fan) but I just kind of expected Carolina would bring it home.
Yup- I’m with you & Bernie Sanders on this one, Kitten. “Who are you backing in the Super Bowl, Senator?” “The Patriots”.
Watched the game in Las Vegas & at least half of the people in the bar had on Pats gear. The good news is that the Sox equipment bus leaves tomorrow from Fenway to Florida– Go Red Sox!
It was a weak move, but typically Cam. Never been a fan and this season did nothing to endear hi to me. If I hear one more time, this is the Atlanta way, I’m going to show them true Atlanta attitude. He’s pompous when things are going his way and a sulky child when they aren’t. Maybe this defeat will humble him, but with an ego that big I doubt it. He’ll find some reason to blame his poor performance on someone else.
I don’t watch American football either, mostly tennis, and beside the fact that the losers there are doing their best to hold themselves together in front of reporters (and I have seen some of them with tears in their eyes and still not walking out) the press conferences themselves have another format. They are less crowded and the journalists don’t get this close to the player and don’t step on each others’ feet. What is that? It’s like the player is being cornered.
Add that to irritability caused by the loss and you get a very tense individual.
Eh, I think the view on this is largely generational. Young people don’t like criticism – it’s not how we were raised. I think most “millenials” and younger totally get Cam walking out of that room and respect him for it. Older generations were taught humility and a different sense of duty. It depends on your values.
We’ll I’m a millenial and was thaught humility. I also don’t toally get Cam not do I have respect for his actons here.
Agreed BUT…it can be argued that the greatest opportunity for learning and growth comes through adversity. He strikes me as emotionally immature and might learn a thing or two when things don’t go his way.
That’s not an excuse. Just watch the young golfers on their post game interviews if you want to see grace and humility.
Let’s hope he learns a valuable lesson on how to prep for hard questions. Big boy panties indeed, are required.
I’m the same age as Cam and don’t respect that move. It’s more like a parenting thing then a generational thing.
Nah, its not a millennial thing. I’m 40 and think people are blowing this way out of proportion. Big deal, he got tired of answering questions and left. He just played in the biggest game of his career and lost. He ran, got tackled, prob more physically exhausted than any of us have ever been. And you know they push these kids so hard and the disappointment must be so crushing. And then to have to listen to stupid questions like why did you lose? You watched the game, you know why we lost. Big deal, walking out.
All of this uproar over him walking out. Yes he should have been more professional but I don’t think he can be expected to be more polished unless he has been in the business for awhile.
I know he’s young, but kids?? ? He’s not a high school player, he’s a 26 year old millionaire. He could be in the military for 8 years now at his age.
He needs to grow up.
” I think most “millenials” and younger totally get Cam walking out of that room and respect him for it. Older generations were taught humility and a different sense of duty. It depends on your values.”
What? So far on this forum, this has been turned into a race issue, some are calling the game fixed, and now it’s a generational issue. Older generations just have more humility and a sense of duty that millennials lack? Oh, OK. Thanks for clearing that up. Let’s all start making blanket statements, because those are always true.
I’m a millennial and I think his behavior was atrocious and so do my friends that I watched the show with last night. I’m not sure if the people defending Cam or trying to find all sorts of outside factors to blame his behavior on are just not sports fans so they don’t know this, but Cam has never been known for his humility. This does not make it a generational thing. Not all millennials name their children “Chosen.” If you were familiar with Cam’s style you would know that HIS behavior (yes, that’s right he alone is responsible for his behavior, and his behavior doesn’t speak for an entire generation’s) is par for the course.
This happens with every aging generation. Just look at Brokaw’s Greatest Generation BS.
I don’t think it has anything to do with age, since there are plenty of young athletes who stay professional, even after tough losses.
I don’t think good manners and professionalism are or should ever be generational.
Walking out of basically a job related meeting is typically a big deal. Age is just no excuse. The other day, I talked to an exec at a large employer where I live, and the topic in a general sense was about younger employees (not all, but some) having no sense of boundaries. His company has terminated several because of it.
Wow. That is the worst excuse I have heard. Don’t slam an entire generation because a spoiled football star is a sore loser.
QB does not = spokesperson. Different skill sets altogether.
Knowing this, the team should have prepped him on managing this, but in the end he should have sucked it up. It’s part of the show.
Part of being a good QB is being a leader off the field. Cam failed miserably last night in this regards. We all make mistakes and poor choices — now that he’s been called out in the media for his immature and unprofessional behavior, I hope he’ll take that to heart and learn a valuable lesson in humility.
Absolutely, Nutballs. QB = Team Captain, and Cam showed very poor leadership last night.
Cam isn’t the team captain, which is unusual. Tom Davis, # 58, was announced as the team captain when he did the coin toss with Manning.
Football teams have multiple team captains. Cam is one of the offensive team captains on the Panthers.
It’s not ok and especially not okay for this guy. He is one of the most cocky, show boating full of himself football players we have right now. If it’s okay for him to show boat himself when he wins then I expect some class when he loses. And there has been plenty of people who lost and sat in the same position, but did not act like a baby.
According to my hubs, the Budweiser mentions were a bit of an f you to Roger Goodell? Apparently RG had decreed not to do the beer mentions as Peyton has done in the past? So he made sure to do it multiple times.
If that’s true, that’s kind of great. Would have been even better if he name-dropped a great brewery instead of the evil that is Anheuser Busch.
Yeah but AB was bought out so they aren’t so evil anymore, and I totally want to believe Peyton did this as an FU to Goodell. Makes him infinitely more likeable.
Could he have handled it better? Sure. But I’m not going to kick a guy while he’s down for doing the same thing many have done before him.
Especially not a guy who has had some of the most racist media scrutiny I’ve ever seen thrown his way. He’s 26, it’s his first big lost, hopefully he’ll do better in the future.
As a non-American, is it normal to be considered a young player at 26? When I read all the comments saying ‘Oh, he’s so young, this is something he’ll learn from’ I thought he was late teens, early 20s at best. I get that this is a big time game but is humility/graciousness in defeat really something you have to learn in your late 20s? In a lot of other sports this lack of professionalism would not be acceptable. They earn more money a year than the average person would see in their lifetime, suck it up for some interviews.
26 is young for a quaterback, who typically can have longer careers in the NFL.
The way the Denver defense was sort of ignored leading up to SB appears to really have lit a fire in them. By ignored I mean how they had never seen the likes of Cam etc. Well that was some defensive show- and so
glad a defensive player won MVP!
Back to the presser- totally agree- this goes along with the big bucks paycheck- you take the good with the bad. If you can be suited and booted for the win presser, you can do the same for a loss. I have no doubt Cam will be back in a SB, and hope he learns from this. No doubt some sort of “sorry I was upset,etc”
statement comes out today.
Cam should have listened to B.
#alwaysstaygracious
(Buuut it’s easier to do that when one doesn’t speak on behalf of one’s self.)
Lol I see what you did there.
Cam newton is immature. 49 other losers had to sit through the press after. He’s a mvp he needs more class than that. No special treatment for quarterbacks who lost the Super Bowl. He gets paid enough to sit through like all other players before him.
I don’t think it was very professional, but on the other hand, I HATE the stupid questions they ask these guys. YOU LOST, HOW DO YOU FEEL?
How the hell do you THINK they feel? HAPPY?
Oh I agree with you so much about that. The questions are repetitive and asinine. Nevertheless, answering those stupid questions is part of the job, just like basking in the post-game glory of a win.
As a North Carolinian, I am not giving Cam a break. He talked the talk, but he couldn’t walk the walk. It’s time to let your balls drop and be a man. A lot more people would respect him if he answered the questions like a professional and just said that he was beaten by a better team.
I always feel bad for the losing QB (unless it’s my Pats beating them, ha ha) but you HAVE to do the post-game press conference. You have to, or you look bad.
Cam Newton walking out of the confrence is rude, but if you have been working your entire life for this and thats all you know and its your job, i can understand being upset. Not saying its right but i do understand. As for people saying he is arrogant and “rude” What football player isnt? Almost all of them have big egos and personalities. As for that tweet by the other dude, he needs to sit down. Hasnt Tom Brady or another player Cursed out a Ref or someone before and i never heard anyone tweeting or making a big deal about that.
Seriously. It’s not professional of him, but he’s human.
At least the Panthers Punch was delish… 😕
We all understand how disappointed he was but if he wants to be the man, he’s gotta act like a man. In this instance all he had to do was give the Broncos kudos. They did their homework on Newton and shut him down. I don’t even know football, but I watch the SuperBowl and I know sports and that’s what appeared to happen. If I can see it, it’s obvious. So just state the obvious and be a professional and sportsmanlike.
and if he would have won the game, these same posters would talk about how he OVER celebrated and it’s in poor taste.
VERY TRUE.
Well, if his behavior this entire season is to believed, he probably would have. Idk why he can’t be criticized? His behavior is tacky and juvenile. Am I not allowed to think that because he’s a superior athlete that gets paid a lot? Is he allowed to behave in any form he wants without people calling it like they see it?
Post game press is dumb for exactly the reasons mentioned. There are finite ways you can ask the same repeated questions to a devastated athlete.
I think the issue is that Cam show boats a lot. So when a “show off” loses and acts rude, people bash them harder. The same happened with Ronda Rousey. She was super cocky, so when she lost people really went for her. I’m not saying any of this is right though. As a sportsperson you are supposed to get media training. You are supposed to show humility. On the other hand, the media and public love to tear them down as well, any chance they get. The answer is to never give anyone the chance to tear you down. Always keep your head up !
Cam endured a humiliating loss. He can make this a big or small thing, depending upon how he processes this. I see this as a learning opportunity for him.
I am sure he will do better than to wear his heart on his sleeve. He will be back and hopefully a wiser athlete with measured responses.
I think he should’ve sat there but I’m not going to beat up on him. (And I’ve been a ride-or-die Manning fan since he was first drafted and was rooting so hard for him yesterday so was happy Carolina lost) He’s been in the NFL a few years and this was his first Super Bowl. Does he have a big ego? Sure I think anyone who gets to that level has a pretty good sense of self-worth. And it took a beating (and so did he) yesterday. And the Panthers were really hyped up this season–and Newton in particular–and were the favorites going into the game. I’m sure they were feeling pretty confident and they got trounced all over the field. Then they drag these guys in when they are still running on adrenaline and emotion and probably some pain and ask them the same question in different ways–how does it feel to lose and how much are you to blame? And I think it was deliberate to put Harris in there within earshot. That’s just wrong to rub salt in the fresh wound. I think they wanted a reaction. I’ve seen QBs (and other star players) lose their temper–is that worse than just leaving? I don’t know. I think he’ll learn from this though–if he’s still behaving like this in a few years then I’ll bash him.
Trounced? Game wasn’t a blowout. Panthers actually set a SB record for forcing the highest number of 3 and outs for Denver. Our defense also played well, and I just feel sad for all the players. Really wanted to silence the haters who doubted them all season long,
From what has now been revealed, he walked off after having to overhear the winning quarterback boast about winning – which does make it petty, but…eh, even the other team later tweeted that would be kind of shirty to have to overheard. It’s not his most mature moment, and he’ll have to eat it for a bit, but I’m not surprised he was upset. He’s young and just lost the BIG DEAL game of the year. It’d be unfair not to acknowledge that he’s human, and, well, maybe walking away was better than losing his temper publicly. Not admirable but not unforgivable, either.
Nope it was RB Chris Harris and he was talking bout specifically shutting Cam down (posted a link to it way upthread). It’s excruciating to watch because you can literally see where Cam is just, I gotta bounce.
Thanks for the clarification. It’s unprofessional but understandable. Not everybody is reserved enough to remain stoic in the face of that kind of public disappointment. He’ll hopefully learn from it and move on.
Not a Cam fan…Hawks all the way but, I wonder if the pressure got to him. It seemed like he just gave up. The difference between Cam and my guy Russell is that Russell never gives up, even when its down to 2 minutes and they’re 20 points behind. Cam wasn’t even in the game for the second half. I dislike Peyton almost as much as I don’t like Cam but the one thing I will say for him is he doesn’t give up. Also, the Broncos defense was in Beastmode yesterday. Those guys won the game.
I think Cam was upset and just didn’t want to handle the annoying journalists. Honestly, the postgame interviews are always worthless. Of course he’s pissed, don’t blame him.
I think Peyton mentioned Bud because that’s what he likes to drink, probably just a misstep in mentioning an actual brand. But he’s probably not gaming toward anything..
It was a totally douchey move, no two ways about it. Other Panthers came out and spoke with the press in a civilized, professional manner. Last year, Russell Wilson, who’s the same age as Newton, threw a pick to lose the Super Bowl. He came out dressed nicely and answered questions. Newton acted like a whiny little baby. He’s showboated and acted ridiculously cocky all year. His true personality was exposed last night.
Well kids, the game is done and won. Someday again my San Diego SupaChargers will be in the big game, and…win or lose, nobody will be able to throw shade at my Philip Rivers!
Just offering that up as a completely off-topic comment. 🙂