It doesn’t matter whether Cam Newton left the post-game press conference podium after Carolina’s Super loss because he was upset with the line of questioning, upset with what he heard from a nearby Denver player, or merely upset at losing the biggest game of his career; his actions were plain wrong. After several weeks of trying to convince us that he was the new face of the NFL, Newton spent every penny of whatever capital he had accrued with his premature, immature departure.
The work begins now for both the quarterback and those who cover him and the NFL. Newton’s situation is pretty straightforward. He can either try to defend his actions by creating some sort of contrived narrative about how everybody is after him – for a variety of reasons – or he can move forward by apologizing and vowing to improve in the future.
Newton’s behavior was a stark juxtaposition to how he handled himself throughout the Panthers’ 17-1 run-up to the Super Bowl. When addressing the media, he usually did so dressed sharply, and his approach was direct, engaging, and, when necessary, tough. He answered difficult questions about his play, his status as an African-American quarterback, and his on-field celebrating. The questions weren’t always easy, but Newton didn’t flinch, pout or appear defensive. His tone was almost always right on, and as a result, he presented himself as strong and confident.
The contrast after the loss to Denver was stark. Dressed in a hoodie pulled over his head, Newton was sullen and disengaged. He muttered a couple of short answers and then expanded a bit before leaving the podium in the middle of the proceedings. In the immediate aftermath of the incident, the media was quite stern in its rebuke, and not just because he had bolted from a press conference. Newton had behaved badly, and he deserved the criticism.
The interesting part starts now, as people search for new takes on the situation. There will be those who defend Newton, citing how tough it is to lose such a big game. Others will say he owes the press nothing and that those who are complaining are doing so for self-serving reasons. Some will intimate that people are criticizing Newton because of his style and even the color of his skin.
All of that takes away from the main story here. This is about nothing more than handling defeat properly. Most people can be graceful when the game ends with the scoreboard in their favor. Magnanimity comes easy in those situations. Salute the teammates. Respect the opponents. Thank the heavens. It’s usually done with the tie knotted perfectly, and a gleam in the eye.
With apologies to “Wall Street’s” Lou Mannheim, the true indication of a man’s character comes when he stares into the abyss. If he responds with courage and dignity, he prevails. Those unable to meet that standard become targets, and rightfully so. Newton, who is only 26 and who faced this kind of defeat for the first time, would have been excused for plowing through his post-game press availability without mirth, had he answered the questions and had understood that dozens of the Super Bowl vanquished had been in the same position and had survived. In fact, it’s practically impossible to remember those disappointed performers who spent their 10 minutes with the media wisely. Newton’s behavior will be a footnote to Super Bowl 50 for years to come.
There is no need to excoriate Newton for this. He made a mistake and is paying for that. Since it came on American’s sports’ biggest stage, the price is higher than most. That’s the deal athletes make when they seek to perform in the big time. The opportunity for adulation and financial reward is great, but so is the chance for scolding and heat when things go wrong.
Just as the media must not be afraid to hold Newton accountable for his actions, so too must it not make him a villain for one event. There must be a balance between analysis and mean-spirited vilification. In a moment of pique after a tough loss, a young man failed to step forward. Certainly, it is correct to remind him of the contrast between how he acted when he was on top and what happened when things didn’t go as well. But this cannot be a time for those unhappy with Newton’s on-field conduct to rip into him. That would be as bad as defending his actions due to another agenda. The media should address this moment in time and watch to see how Newton responds. Chances are good he will apologize and pledge to move forward. After that, we should head back to the field and watch a superb player perform
