I was flipping channels and caught a video of Newton circling the field.. Big smile.. hand extended and slapping hands with the fans in the stands. On the surface it was joyous, spontaneous, and full of youthful exuberance. Newton is not my guy. Newton has never been my guy just as Johnny Football wasn't my guy, nor James Winston wasn't my guy. It's why I admire Peyton Manning and Walter Payton. I appreciate humility in my heroes. It's why I appreciated Roger Staubach and Anthony Thompson.
I remember the stories of Newton's father pimping him to the SEC. He was not the first to do so. I remember stories of him at Auburn. The man is a talent and has won and I give him his due for that. But from my perspective, it's all about Cam. And not the team. It's all about drawing attention to himself. All about perception and branding and him. That's what I've believed. So when he was circling the field, and the fans were desperate to touch him.. To be a part of him. And everyone is going: "Look... There's Cam with the fans!!"... But something seemed strange. So I watched closely.
And there... Was Cam.. circling the field and slapping hands with all the adoring fans.... Except he wasn't.
HE MISSED EVERY SINGLE HAND. Oh he ran around smiling. Left hand extended... But just out of reach. It could be argued that a QB doesn't want to use his throwing hand or arm. But this was his NON-THROWING hand and he was MISSING EVERYONE... It struck me as phony and fake and contrived.
I'd like to be wrong, knowing how kids look up to him. But it's all in the NFL money machine. He's a commodity that can "move the needle". Maybe I am. But I don't think so.
I remember the stories of Newton's father pimping him to the SEC. He was not the first to do so. I remember stories of him at Auburn. The man is a talent and has won and I give him his due for that. But from my perspective, it's all about Cam. And not the team. It's all about drawing attention to himself. All about perception and branding and him. That's what I've believed. So when he was circling the field, and the fans were desperate to touch him.. To be a part of him. And everyone is going: "Look... There's Cam with the fans!!"... But something seemed strange. So I watched closely.
And there... Was Cam.. circling the field and slapping hands with all the adoring fans.... Except he wasn't.
HE MISSED EVERY SINGLE HAND. Oh he ran around smiling. Left hand extended... But just out of reach. It could be argued that a QB doesn't want to use his throwing hand or arm. But this was his NON-THROWING hand and he was MISSING EVERYONE... It struck me as phony and fake and contrived.
I'd like to be wrong, knowing how kids look up to him. But it's all in the NFL money machine. He's a commodity that can "move the needle". Maybe I am. But I don't think so.
