When the Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50, 24-10, many people were surprised. Most thought the MVP of the NFL, Cam Newton, would be able to lead his team to victory. However, Newton was consistently knocked around unable to create plays for his team. Newton turned the ball over three times. Yes, one can say that Newton had virtually no time in the pocket. Yes, one can say players dropped balls. Those facts are true, but the other fact is Newton did not play to the best of his ability.
Denver’s defense held the top scoring offense in the league to 10 points causing Newton to have two fumbles and an interception. Denver’s defense had a game plan entering this game to prevent Newton from exiting the pocket and forcing him to throw uncomfortably. The game plan worked to perfection.
Toward the end of the game, Newton’s demeanor began to shift from what the media is used to seeing. The media is used to seeing Newton smiling, dabbing or celebrating. I have no problem with Newton’s celebration. My thought is if you do not like him dancing after a touchdown, prevent him from scoring.
The problem I do have is you cannot have it both ways. Newton cannot bask in the glory when he is excelling; however when he is faced with a poor performance on the biggest stage he sulks and does not answer media questions.
I can only imagine how hard of a pill it is to swallow after you have just lost in the Super Bowl. I get that. No one is expecting him to go into the media room and smile after such a disappointing loss. However, you have to be professional.
Look back to Russell Wilson last Super Bowl. Wilson throws an interception in the closing seconds, and that error casts the Seattle Seahawks a second Super Bowl win. The last thing any player would want to do after making that huge of a mistake is to confront the media, but that is your job. Kudos to Wilson for showing class and conducting himself in a professional manner despite being upset over the loss in the Super Bowl.
The one-word answers and the visible pouting Newton displayed did not reflect a professional player. The maturity of a person is displayed when the odds do not go in their favor. Then, to walk off stage after hearing Denver’s cornerback, Chris Harris Jr., nearby speaking about the game plan I mentioned was worse than the pouting.
Newton needs to understand as the MVP of the National Football League, you are a visual representation of the sport millions of Americans love. The image of him in that media room will taint his reputation as a competitor. I hope Newton learns from his emotional action and tries to correct his behavior. He needs to understand while the media can build you up as a superstar, in an instant, they can tear you down.
