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Cam Newton Criticized For Excessive Celebration — Is Carolina Panthers Quarterback Unfairly Judged Because He Is Black?

By Shaunee Flowers
Published on: 09:53 PST, Jan 28, 2016

Cam Newton has been the force behind the Carolina Panthers’ amazing 15-1 season and their quest for a Super Bowl championship, and no one can question that. Many criticize Newton for his antics on and off the field, calling the Carolina quarterback cocky and calling his touchdown celebration excessive. As the Panthers prepare for Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos, retired NFL player Brian Urlacher says that Cam should be classier and celebrate his wins more like his biggest competition right now, Peyton Manning.

Newton is the best player in the NFL right now according to many fans and commentators, so why is he also so hated? Cam gave his answer to that question during mid-week press conference according to Fox Sports. “I’m an African-American QB that scares people because my skill set isn’t like anybody else,” Newton said. Many NFL players have mastered a signature touchdown celebration over the years, and while Cam’s “dab” dance on the field is definitely a bit on the extra side, he’s not breaking any rules and fans love watching their favorite quarterback enjoy his recent huge success on the field.

Even retired linebacker Brian Urlacher has harsh words for Cam Newton. Urlacher believes that Newton lacks class as the leader of the Carolina Panthers. Urlacher told USA Today that he understands why Cam is so hated among NFL fans. It is because of Cam Newton’s on-field celebration that Urlacher feels the Carolina quarterback lacks class.

“I played defense so I don’t like when guys celebrate with dances and stuff. You know who I like the way he celebrates is Peyton. He kind of gives the guy a handshake and goes back to the sidelines. I think that’s a great celebration right there,” he said. “You don’t see him dancing. You don’t see him doing all of that stuff. Even when he gets a first down he doesn’t do anything.” Of course, a defender on the losing side of the ball doesn’t want to see the quarterback celebrate when he gets to the end zone.

Carolina Panthers fans get a kick out of Cam Newton’s dabbing after a touchdown. Why is the dab so offensive when it’s just a popular hip hop dance move? It seems that everyone is looking for a bone to pick with Cam Newton, and even if he celebrated in a more subtle way, someone would complain about that too.

Many consider Cam Newton’s touchdown celebration to be a problem because it proves that the Carolina quarterback has a huge ego. As NBC Sports was quick to point out, all NFL quarterbacks suffer from the dreaded ego, and to be honest, they probably wouldn’t be good quarterbacks if they were more humble. Those who come across as humble, such as Peyton Manning with his muted celebration, are merely just acting. Manning and other non-minority quarterbacks like Tom Brady definitely don’t have to deal with the same level of criticism as someone like Cam Newton.

Cam Newton shouldn’t even worry about the doubters or the critics because he’s proved to be the best player in the NFL right now. As a matter of fact, Newton is a shoo-in for MVP, and if he doesn’t win the title, there will be a huge upset among his fans. How much ego can Cam have anyway, when the current most-loved and hated quarterback refuses to even take credit for the Carolina Panthers’ huge success over the past season. Even Newton said, “This team, we won as a team. We came out here and fought our tails off. We did what a lot of people said we couldn’t do.”

[Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images]

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