The title of the article I found this week is The Patriots have changed. Cam Newton hasn't. Together, they make for one of the NFL's most fascinating storylines. As we all know, the Patriots are experiencing a big change this year with the departure of Tom Brady. Brady, who played on the Patriots for 20 seasons, was consistent, predictable, and adored by many. He never experienced bad press, wasn’t questioned about his choices in life, and didn’t make headlines for anything besides winning Super Bowls. Now in a recent turn of events, the Patriots have named their Week 1 starter as Cam Newton, former Carolina Panthers quarterback.
Since entering the NFL, “The Newton drama has almost been like a continuously running sports reality show”. After getting picked first in the draft, Newton described himself as “both an icon and an entertainer”. Since then, his big ego, flashy style, and temperamental attitude have contributed to a poor reputation for himself. Even with his athletic ability on the field, Newton has become a player that the NFL does not want as its ‘face’. He didn’t fit the NFL QB mold and it made some people nervous. His history of having animosity towards the media has also caused problems for him and some would advise that he “would do himself a favor by observing how Tom Brady handles the media”. It seems like the Patriots have done a 180 in their transition from Brady to Newton this season, with players being diverse in their style, reputations, attitudes, and most importantly, their race.
The first article linked below discusses how even with Newton’s transfer to the Pats, he still is unapologetic about who he is. When asked how he would fit in with New England, Newton replied “Honestly? It is because I’m a Black athlete, a quarterback….I have carried myself in a way that the media hasn’t gave me my just due….I embrace who I am, I embrace the moment. I live in the moment.”
When discussing black quarterbacks in the NFL as a whole, Newton replied “When I came into the NFL, I believe there was Michael Vick and Donavan McNabb as the only two active black quarterbacks and there was an image you had to look like, you had to act a certain type of way to play the position….If you weren't Peyton Manning or Tom Brady or Drew Brees, you were going to be a failure.”
His additional quote, “there is a lot of favoritism that has not been favorable for my benefit” also brings up our recurring question of the rigged game.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/719207-why-is-cam-newton-the-most-hated-rookie-in-america
https://nypost.com/2017/10/28/cam-newton-is-damaging-his-own-reputation/
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