Cam Newton managed to become the headline story after the Super Bowl even though he lost the game, and it’s all because of the way he handled defeat.
The Carolina Panthers quarterback had a poor game against the stellar Denver Broncos defense. He was a shoddy 18-of-41 for 265 yards and an interception. He did add 45 yards rushing. He was a one-man show on offense most of the season, but the Broncos’ defense proved to be too much for him in a 24-10 loss.
After the game, Newton was visibly dejected. He went to speak with the media and handle his responsibilities, but he was a pill while doing so. He only answered select questions from reporters, and most of his responses were terse.
Some of Cam Newton's longest postgame answers:
"We'll be back."
"We got outplayed."
"Nothing different."
"They just played better than us."— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) February 8, 2016
"They just played better than us."@Panthers QB Cam Newton seems devastated after @SuperBowl loss pic.twitter.com/rkrxNTnGiX
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) February 8, 2016
Cam Newton's only real answer. pic.twitter.com/CgWEWzhmaE
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) February 8, 2016
Newton ultimately walked out of his session after spending only around 3-4 minutes with the media.
Cam Newton didn't think much of a question being asked and walked off pic.twitter.com/lY8uPU7eBV
— The Cauldron (@TheCauldron) February 8, 2016
Reporters blasted Newton for failing to stick around and answer questions. After all, he’s a guy who Dabs when things are going well, celebrates touchdowns by doing a Superman impression, and flashes a million dollar smile. He’s one of the faces of the league. Even in defeat, he’s supposed to be professional and answer questions for the media. He didn’t do that on the biggest stage after the biggest game of his life, and it reflects poorly on him.
Yes, recall that for all the celebrating and showboating Newton does, he said during media week that he was tired of the media’s questions. He had had enough by then. He was worn out by it. He didn’t like his media obligations then and found the questions tiresome.
Also consider that he just lost the biggest game of his life and was being asked to talk about it. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, who just went through something similar a month earlier when he lost the national championship game, put things into perspective:
People don't understand the hurt Cam feels right now. After a tough lost no one wants to talk to the media. I know I don't!
— Deshaun Watson (@ShaunWatson4) February 8, 2016
Even if Newton was tired of the media during the week and even though he has a right to feel terribly bummed, it reflects poorly on his character when he doesn’t answer the tough questions after a bad loss. It makes him seem petty. It makes him seem like a poor sport. It makes him seem like a baby. It makes him seem like less of a leader.
Someone said this about Cam recently: He is the world's best winner and the world's worst loser. Tonight showed that again.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) February 8, 2016
Ultimately, Newton is exactly what we have known for years: a great player who is awesome and entertaining when he is winning, but a poor sport when he is losing. The reason why it was so easy to like him all throughout the season is because he rarely lost — just twice, actually. But his loss reminds us that he is easy to dislike when things aren’t going his way.
