Cam Newton defends post-Super Bowl conduct, says he’s “sore loser”

Newton spoke to the media voluntarily on Tuesday even though he admitted he had not wanted to on Sunday. So, if that’s the case, Newton might show his naysayers a different “Superman” next year. I don’t have to conform to anybody’s wants for me. I think he still has a little bit left in him.

Right or wrong, the perception battle that Newton had won over the course of the season was lost in that brief press conference, when he answered a few questions with surly one-word answers and then just walked off after three minutes. “But at the end of the day, that game wasn’t built off of, we didn’t lose the game because of that fumble, I can tell you that”. “I want the buses to be late for the airport”.

Denver Broncos general manager John Elway said Tuesday Peyton Manning will not be pressured into a quick decision over his future, hinting that the quarterback may still have a role with the franchise if he plays on. “I hate losing. You show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser”. “This isn’t a popularity contest”. Newton addressed that, too.

His teammates and coaches defend him. Some, including head coach Ron Rivera, thought that the MVP quarterback was anticipating the ball would be tipped farther into the backfield; others thought that he had already accepted defeat. “Who likes to lose?” “That is what you love in him”. “When I look at Cam, I see a guy that’s in a lot of pain”.

“That is a beauty of a guy like that – he wants to win and his teammates know it. That is what it is about”.

He said “emotions took over” after the game and he has had time to reflect on the loss since.

Carolina Panthers GM Dave Gettleman came to Cam’s defense as well. “But that’s who he is, and I understand who the young man is for us”. Whatever. This lackadaisical effort at such a critical point of the game will do more damage in the locker room than any exit from a postgame interview.

Cam wrapped the questions with another message to those who criticize him. I know what I’m capable of, and I know where I’m going. “Because yours or anyone else’s expectations will never exceed mine”.

Newton says he has no more tears to cry after a respectable 17-2 season, and the team will be back with the same enthusiasm next year.