Quarterback Cam Newton kept his postgame comments short Sunday, with the disappointment from the Carolina Panthers’ 24-10 loss to the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl still fresh (reporters’ questions italicized when they could be heard).
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The star quarterback walked out of his media duties in the aftermath of Sunday’s defeat at Levi’s Stadium, prompting criticism. With the Panthers down 16-10 with 4:04 left in the fourth quarter and facing third down, Newton was hit by Denver pass rusher Von Miller, who forced a fumble.
Newton unapologetically explained away his conduct as he cleared out his locker at the Panthers training facility in Charlotte on Tuesday.
Obviously, high school prospects aren’t judged on the same level and are given much more latitude than a 26-year-old National Football League veteran, but for those of them who idolize Newton, dislike him or don’t care either way, now they see how not to do it and he showed you on the biggest stage possible.
“I was just focused on whether they’d go for two and uh, the defense had to step up and make some stops”, Eli said, via TMZ. 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. I don’t have to confirm to anybody else’s wants.
“I’m going to take care of those things first, and say a little prayer to thank the man upstairs for this great opportunity”.
I had a lot of time to go back and play everything back and I’ve got to say, I’m human. I never proclaimed that I was flawless. Another player for the Seattle Seahawks referred to Newton as a female dog (the profane version) and said he can’t wait to play him again, even though the Panthers beat the Seahawks en route to the Super Bowl. We didn’t lose that game because of that fumble, I’ll tell you that.
“It’s not a popularity contest, I’m here to win football games”.
Newton said he believes the situation is being overblown by the media, and added he doesn’t plan to change how he reacts to losing just to appease his critics. “They just played better than us”.
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In previous weeks, Newton took up to an hour to shower and get dapper before talking to the media. Okay, you say my effort.
