There might be plenty of people who don’t care for the way league MVP Cam Newton dances, or poses, or pouts after losses.
But there is a group of people who don’t seem to be offended — his soon-to-be peers.
Via Bill Voth of Black and Blue Review, a number of incoming NFL players interviewed at the Scouting Combine said they have no problem with the apparent fun the Panthers quarterback has on the field.
“That’s not my style, but there’s no one like it,” Georgia defensive tackle Chris Mayes said. “He’s a trendsetter. Everybody repeats what he does.”
Of course, Tennessee moms and many sports writers won’t approve, but Newton has largely been able to win over people, including his former rivals.
“I ain’t got nothing against him even though he went to Auburn. That’s one of the few Auburn players I do like,” Alabama defensive end D.J. Pettway said. “I like the way he carries himself. I like the things he does no matter if someone calls him flamboyant. That’s just him.”
Newton himself invites some of the attention, by being willing to be larger-than-life in a sport that values uniformity to the point of conformity. But much of the conflict over his personality is probably as much young-old as black-white.
And the fact that kids these days are OK with that is probably the best indicator that he’s not going to change any time soon.