Cam Newton answers critics of memorable interview
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Panthers quarterback Cam Newton said Tuesday that he is a "sore loser."
That was the superstar quarterback's defense for walking out of a press conference after the Super Bowl, adding he didn't feel like talking to the media after Carolina's 24-10 loss to the Denver Broncos.
"Show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser," Newton said.
The league NFL MVP didn't apologize for walking out of a brief three-minute interview on Sunday night in which he sulked and answered most questions in one- and two-word answers.
As players were clearing out their lockers on Tuesday, Newton said, "If I offended anybody that's cool, but I know who I am and I'm not about to conform nor bend for anybody's expectations because yours or anybody's expectations would never exceed mine."
Newton went on to say, "Who are you to say that your way is right? I have all of these people who are condemning and saying this that and the third but what makes your way right."
As Newton talked, teammates walked behind the media assembled and shouted, "We love you, Cam."
Newton said he believes things were "blown out of proportion" by the media.
He said his emotions after the game were raw.
"At the end of the day when you invest so much time and sacrifice so much and things don't go as planned, I think emotions take over," Newton said. "I think that is what happens."
CBSSports.com's Will Brinson writes that "Newton's a different breed of athlete and not willing to fit into the neat little quarterback box. Tuesday's appearance should help calm people down over his press conference on Sunday, but who the hell knows with Cam, maybe the most polarizing athlete in sports."
Panthers coach Ron Rivera said he would have preferred for Newton to handle the situation differently, but added that he believes some players need more time to get control of their emotions.
"There are a lot of young people out there looking at who we and we are role models for them and I think again we know who he is and he does take it hard," Rivera said. "Quite honestly if he is going to take it hard, as a public service, we should avoid having him talk right away. People take losses, not just football losses, but personal losses different ways. Time is probably the best thing."