On Sunday the Carolina Panthers put a whooping on the Tennessee Titans and remained perfect through nine games, winning handily, 27-10. Cam Newton finished with 217 yards on 21-of-26 passing, adding 23 rushing yards and a touchdown, but what we’re going to focus on is this play, when he punched through the Titans defense, and then dabbed all in Avery Williamson’s face.
First, there are so many things about this play that shouldn’t be possible. You know, like holding onto the ball and going all Stretch Armstrong on at least five Titans tacklers. That’s the kind of dirty work you might see from a third down back, not a quarterback.
This also isn’t even the first time Newton’s done that this season. In the Panthers’ 27-16 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5, he laid out for a similar rushing touchdown, that time getting spiked in the back and still holding onto the rock. Of course, in that game, Newton was noticeably more Clark Kent than Superman, but his 14-24 for 197 yards was enough, and the Panthers won. And they still have yet to lose.
In both of these games though, criticisms against Newton arose – same as they always to do – and detractors seem to have a lot of trouble saying what they really mean. Sometimes it’s really vague and noncommittal: Newton is annoying, or he just “bothers” them. And other times, they’ll just come right out and say “Cam Newton is a thug.”
All of this becomes so much more interesting when you consider the relative silence when it comes to outbursts by quarterbacks of lighter shades. Take into account Carson Palmer after the Arizona Cardinals’ 39-32 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night, or in Week 4 of 2012 when Matt Ryan famously told the Panthers to ‘get the [expletive] off his field.’
Hm.
The word “thug” tends to get tossed around a lot when it comes to non-majority race people doing things that majority race people find distasteful, and I find its use a little problematic. Actually, I’m not a fan of the word “problematic” because it’s way too easy to hide behind. I like my bigots out in the open and easy to identify.
If your problem is that Cam Newton is too rough around the edges for your genteel sensibilities, then that’s a personal problem. If your problem is that you don’t enjoy watching Cam Newton dance, then keep him out of the end zone. If your problem is that you want Cam Newton to stay in his place, too bad.
Cam Newton is having a hell of a season, and if he wants to dab and Hit Dem Folks after scoring touchdowns, then that’s just what he’s gonna do. How we feel about it doesn’t really factor in.
Now, listen to this “thug” in his lime sweater and velveteen blazer with a floral lapel pin and get some Monday motivation.
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