You can’t win with the NFL though. You have the patriots who are bland with the media and say fuck all on and off the field and they get criticized for that and you have the panthers with their exuberance and fun and they get criticized for that. It doesn’t matter what any of them do, someone some where will always criticize and hate players and teams, it’s what makes it all entertaining.
For what it’s worth, I like cam and how he plays. A lot of the show boating and celebration is just an outlet and a persona. Any time I have heard him in a casual interview or an off record type thing, he sounds like a grounded down to earth guy. He got great credit off other students when he was in auburn. He spoke very well too in the off season when he was in oz visiting with Richmond.
His comments are incredibly relevant to how black people are perceived in America, and how they perceive themselves. His demeanor, and to a lesser extent his success, threatens people with even a subconscious racial bias, and his opinions on how this effects him need to be heard. If one of the most relevant black people in America can’t be himself and carry himself how he wants, what message does that send to the rest of the country?
The hysteric, Helen Lovejoy style letter appearing in newspapers after some of his celebrations wouldn’t have been written if Newton was white. Black players who conform to what white middle America wants to see are accepted and adored, and any expression of African America culture is frowned upon.
Michael Jordan was the greatest of all time, but was able to capitalize on that so well because he was an outwardly bland, acceptable face of black athletes. Conversely, Allen Iverson, one of the best PGs ever, never got the adulation he should have, because he held himself in a certain way, much in the style of NWA. Any deviation towards what people perceive to be “thuggish” attitude is vilified. This has been a hurdle for Cam from Day 1, exemplified by Nawrocki commenting on his smile during his scouting report. Until black culture stops being considered a threat to “American values”, Cam’s comments matter even if he is talking about himself.
That’s just it; he can’t carry himself how he wants. When you’re an NFL quarterback, you’re a role-model to millions of kids (Yes, I’m playing the “what about the kids?” card). He’s obliged to carry himself with dignity and professionalism. You think Peyton didn’t want to slap his knob in the faces of a few journalists after the conference win? Of course he did, but he has class.
Speculation. You don’t know that.Parts of America are incredibly backward God-bothering holes. But yet, they’re buying into this franchise and have a right to express their concerns at behaviour that might influence (yes, them again) the kids.
Agreed, to an extent. But is what Newton is doing an expression of African America culture? The hip thrusts? The arrogance? Instigating team selfies at the 2-minute warning? Likening himself to Superman? This is just arrogance, a trait that irks people, regardless of race.
Not race-related. See Christian Laettner.
I think I need clarification on what exactly black culture entails. If the Bills were in the SuperBowl, would Tyrod Taylor be turning the spotlight on himself? No.
At the end of the day it’s a personality issue, and has very little to do with race. You can be white, act like a cunt, and get called out for it.
For the record, I loved the Cosby show and regularly listen to rap music.
With regards to the point on kids, Cam has started a trend with the Panthers of giving TD balls to kids in the crowd. I’ve never seen any other team do anything like it with such regularity. And the one TD where it didnt happen on Sunday (as the scorer wanted to give the ball to his grandfather) Cam wen down to the corner where the kids were and celebrated with them there. I dont see him as a bad role model at all. He is showing what you can be and you can be accepted and great.
That’s the most self-indulgent tradition I’ve ever witnessed. Purely orchestrated to fuel an ego. And it’s usually Cam that gives the ball away, right? Not the receiver?
You’ve proved nothing there. Keep your QED’s in your pocket.
OK, let’s examine that tradition futher. A quick Google search of Cam Newton + kids throws up all sorts of heart-warming stories about his noble acts. Pages and pages of them. He’s on a pedestal. Why not stay humble, but acknowledge the adoration of millions across the country?
No, good old Cam cries publicly about how the country is afraid of him? Why the inferiority complex?
Why can’t he? None of his behaviour has been harmful, he hasn’t been unprofessional or undignified.
Laettner isn’t comparable. He was a hated figure alright. But he wasn’t engaging in cultural behaviour common in his (non)minority background. In that instance I was talking about an association with “thuggish” or “ghetto” speech and body language holding back athletes back, so Laettner isn’t really relevant.
Tyrod isn’t the star of his team, isn’t very expressive and isn’t the kind of personality we’re talking about. Anyway, this is about Cam and his right to express and enjoy himself on the field as he pleases.
You may not like his personality, but trying to restrict him in his behaviour or describe attempts to explain same as self centered is harmful, and does matter in the conversation about black people being properly accepted in US culture.
he is highlighting what is still a massive racial divide in America. No matter what goes on there, it is still hugely racist and he has a chance to highlight the issue and speak for black americans. you may not agree with how he is doing it and it is pretty obvious you have a massive dislike to him, but why should he just stay meek and humble and keep quiet when at the absolute peak of his playing career he has a chance to do something and he is chosing to speak out. It would be easier for him to shut up and just go into the superbowl week keeping his head down.
My god. Because a lot of the country IS afraid of him, for no good reason. So why shouldn’t he speak out about it. The fact he even has to validate his own behaviour in this way speaks volumes. I love Phil Rivers, but he’s a major arrogant prick, and he’s never received this level of scrutiny because of his behaviour. Ditto Rich Gannon, Jim McMahon, Jonny Manziel and countless others
Where does he highlight the massive racial divide in America? He only references the nation’s feelings towards himself. A nation which primarily admires and idolises him. Why try and portray the American people as villains, who are wary and suspicious of him? He’s working on his own agenda, his own profile, his own ego.
No, I’m not. I’m saying his own field behaviour of goading, drawing imaginary dollar signs and rubbing his fingers together have been put down to brashness and passion, while Newton is being hounded for less visceral on field displays.