Cam Newton Responds to Critics

Panthers coach Ron Rivers applauded Newton for speaking on Tuesday.

Broncos fans cheer after arriving early to await the start of a victory rally to celebrate the Broncos’ win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50, in Denver, Feb. 9, 2016.

After the Denver Broncos beat the Panthers 24-10 in Santa Clara, California, Newton spent less than three minutes at the post game podium and gave mostly brief answers before storming out of the interview room. I’m not happy about what happened. Then you have the contest of who can win with grace and lose with dignity.

“Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser”, Newton said.

We’d already learned the reason behind Eli Manning’s blank Super Bowl stare, and now another mystery from Sunday’s game has been solved.

“I want to stay with the Broncos for 15 to 20 years”, the upcoming free agent said, “but, you know, money talks, right?“. This was a clearly disappointed Newton, still suffering from the sting of the Super Bowl loss, who grew irritated with the questions from the media.

“I’ve been on the record to say I’m a sore loser”, he said. I want the buses to be late to the airport if we’re travelling. But at the end of the day, people pick… and do things of that sort.

As Newton talked, teammates walked behind the media assembled and shouted, “We love you, Cam”. He said “that’s cool” if he offended anyone with his actions. I never proclaimed that I was ideal. I’ll take it one step at a time.

Rivera suggested in the future Newton may need more time before addressing the media to get his emotions in check. This is a great league with or without me. “That’s fine. We didn’t lose the game because of that fumble”.

Recover that ball, punt and surely a Peyton Manning running on “E” would have given the ball right back to Newton with another chance to win. It was a moment that everyone just couldn’t stop looking away from, even now a few days after the game is in the books. “But that’s who he is, and I understand who the young man is for us”.