Much is still being made about the way Cam Newtonwalked out of his post-game press conference following Super Bowl 50. Whether he did it because he didn’t want to talk to reporters or he did it because he was upset with something Broncos player Chris Harris said nearby, people are angry about how he handled himself in light of the Panthers’ loss in the big game.
Today, Newton struck back at his critics after cleaning out his locker at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. He doesn’t usually speak to reporters on this day, but it seems he felt compelled to explain himself due to all the controversy his post-Super Bowl antics have caused.
“I’ve been on record to say I’m a sore loser,” he said when asked about how he sulked during his press conference. “Who likes to lose? You show me a good loser, and I’m going to show you a loser.”
Later, he added: “I’ve got no more tears to cry. I’ve obviously had a lot of time to think about it. I’ve seen so much blown out of proportion. At the end of the day, when you invest so much time and sacrifice so much and things don’t go as planned, the emotions take over. That’s what happens. As far as trying to be like this person, trying to be like that person…the truth of that matter is I’m not trying to be like this person. This is a great league with or without me. I am my own person. I said it since day one. I am who I am. I know what I’m capable of, and I know where I’m going. I don’t have to conform to anybody else’s wants...I’m not that guy.”
Newton also explained why he chose not to go after a football that he fumbled in the fourth quarter of the game.
“OK. I didn’t get the fumble, but we can play tit for tat,” he said. “I’ve seen numerous quarterbacks throw interceptions and their efforts afterwards…they don’t go. I don’t dive on one fumble because the way my leg was, it could have been [contorted] in a way.”
Neither of these explanation are going to stop people from criticizing Cam. In fact, they very well could make things worse for him. But now that he’s responded, can we all move on? There are other NFL quarterbacks who deserve way more criticism than Newton at the moment.
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[via Charlotte Observer]
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