Rivera: Dump Postgame Interviews For Super Bowl Losers

BARRY WILNER, AP Pro Football Writer

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Panthers coach Ron Rivera is suggesting that players on the losing Super Bowl team should not be interviewed after the game.

Rivera was asked Wednesday at the NFL owners' meetings about league MVP Cam Newton's meltdown immediately following the loss to Denver. His voice becoming more and more passionate, Rivera went on a lengthy discourse about the subject.

He says perhaps only the coach of the losing side should meet with the media after the Super Bowl. He doesn't think players should be asked to relive so soon losing the biggest game of their career, emphasizing several times that his All-Pro quarterback was showing "raw emotion" after a "crushing blow" of a defeat.

A two-time NFL Coach of the Year, Rivera appreciates that Newton admitted to being a poor loser, saying, "he told the truth." He adds that to expect anything else after coming so close to winning a championship and failing is foolish.

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