As many of my long time readers should know, I'm extremely nonpartisan when it comes to sports. While I have always loved both participating and spectating many sports, I'm not a homer for any one team. I enjoy sporting events like I enjoy movies. I appreciate good coaching/directing, solid execution/acting, can't seem to get enough twists and turns in the plots, and love a good, unexpected climax. Having said that, I similarly try not to hop on or off a player's bandwagon too quickly, which places me at odds with a majority of sportswriters/ESPN talking heads. This is especially the case with NFL quarterbacks, whom analysts seem to fall in and out of love with more quickly and more frequently than middle schoolers named Romeo and Juliet. When columnists fell in love with Andrew Luck and Colin Kaepernick of Indianapolis and San Francisco, respectively, I said, "Let's hold up just a minute. They certainly have potential, but let's wait a couple more years to see how they progress." Following the two quarterbacks' subpar showings this past season, many of these same analysts suggested the former Pro Bowl quarterbacks may have already reached their peak, and once again, I said, "Let's not write them off just yet." The same has been true of Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. From a numbers perspective, he got off to a great start in his NFL career, and sportswriters everywhere were drooling at this. However, once his main vertical threat, Steve Smith, darted for Baltimore, his numbers regressed, not to mention his injuries seem to become more frequent, and the drooling sportswriters were beginning to wonder if this was the start of a downward trend for the young quarterback. He then decided to quiet his critics with an MVP-caliber season this year. Throughout all this, I've held rather steady, but unlike with both Luck and Kaepernick, have been greatly impressed with Newton's progressions this season. However, I'm still not going to guarantee him a spot in the Hall of Fame just yet. While he's a beast of a man (size wise) and has significantly improved his passing skills, with his style of play, he always runs the risk of an injury, so nothing should be set in stone at the moment.
While Newton has quieted his critics with regard to his play and his team's success, he's been on the receiving end of an increasing number of critiques regarding his "arrogance," celebrations, and even his long-term relationship/family life. At this, he recently told the media the following:
"I'm an African-American quarterback that scares people because they haven't seen nothing that they can compare me to. People are going to judge, and have opinions on things I don't have control over."
He added:
"I think it's a trick question. 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.
I said that prior to me being in this situation. 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."
So, ESPN and other media outlets decided to run with this and debate whether Cam Newton's criticized more for his on-the-field antics or his race. Well, ESPN just released these poll results on the matter:
- 62% believe the criticism is due to Newton's style of play, 14% think it's due to his race
- 38% of black fans believe the criticism is due to Newton's style of play, 34% think it's due to his race
I have to side with Cam Newton and the "black fans" whom took part in this survey. There can be no denying Cam Newton is a big personality, an athlete who draws attention wherever he goes and doesn't she away from it, and isn't afraid to showcase he loves football and is having fun while playing on Sundays. However, he isn't the only such player who does this, yet is arguably called out for it more than any other player in the league. Aaron Rodgers loves doing the discount double-check dance after leading a touchdown drive. Why isn't he criticized like Cam Newton is for doing the "dab" after leading his team to a touchdown? While I think the criticism is partially due to Newton's style of play, I'd be remiss if I didn't say I thought it had something to do with his race as well.
For those who like to label Cam Newton as arrogant, name me one NFL starting quarterback that isn't. I have a feeling I'll be waiting a while. It's perfectly fine for NFL fans to dislike Cam Newton's style of play or to dislike the Carolina Panthers as a team, but don't judge him as a person off the field due to his flashy play on the field, cut it out with the double-standards regarding celebrations, and if you want Newton and the Panthers to cool it with their celebrations I have one simple solution - stop them from scoring touchdowns and winning. Okay, so perhaps that won't be so simple considering the fact they're 17-1 this year, but it's a solution nonetheless.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14703203/fans-believe-carolina-panthers-qb-cam-newton-criticized-more-field-actions-race
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/cam-newton-im-african-american-qb-scares-people-36556386
While Newton has quieted his critics with regard to his play and his team's success, he's been on the receiving end of an increasing number of critiques regarding his "arrogance," celebrations, and even his long-term relationship/family life. At this, he recently told the media the following:
"I'm an African-American quarterback that scares people because they haven't seen nothing that they can compare me to. People are going to judge, and have opinions on things I don't have control over."
He added:
"I think it's a trick question. 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.
I said that prior to me being in this situation. 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."
So, ESPN and other media outlets decided to run with this and debate whether Cam Newton's criticized more for his on-the-field antics or his race. Well, ESPN just released these poll results on the matter:
- 62% believe the criticism is due to Newton's style of play, 14% think it's due to his race
- 38% of black fans believe the criticism is due to Newton's style of play, 34% think it's due to his race
I have to side with Cam Newton and the "black fans" whom took part in this survey. There can be no denying Cam Newton is a big personality, an athlete who draws attention wherever he goes and doesn't she away from it, and isn't afraid to showcase he loves football and is having fun while playing on Sundays. However, he isn't the only such player who does this, yet is arguably called out for it more than any other player in the league. Aaron Rodgers loves doing the discount double-check dance after leading a touchdown drive. Why isn't he criticized like Cam Newton is for doing the "dab" after leading his team to a touchdown? While I think the criticism is partially due to Newton's style of play, I'd be remiss if I didn't say I thought it had something to do with his race as well.
For those who like to label Cam Newton as arrogant, name me one NFL starting quarterback that isn't. I have a feeling I'll be waiting a while. It's perfectly fine for NFL fans to dislike Cam Newton's style of play or to dislike the Carolina Panthers as a team, but don't judge him as a person off the field due to his flashy play on the field, cut it out with the double-standards regarding celebrations, and if you want Newton and the Panthers to cool it with their celebrations I have one simple solution - stop them from scoring touchdowns and winning. Okay, so perhaps that won't be so simple considering the fact they're 17-1 this year, but it's a solution nonetheless.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14703203/fans-believe-carolina-panthers-qb-cam-newton-criticized-more-field-actions-race
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/cam-newton-im-african-american-qb-scares-people-36556386
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