Carolina Panthers against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50 had the world split regarding who should take home the trophy. While many preferred Peyton Manning to retire with one more ring, others wished to see a victorious ‘dab’ from Cam Newton to end his incredible season. However, as fate would have it, the Panthers were defeated in a 24-10 loss to the Broncos.
Following his team’s loss, Newton’s frustration was displayed through his shortened post-game news conference. The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback walked out after 13 questions, without an apology, later admitting he’s “a sore loser” and refused to “bend for anybody’s expectations,” according to ESPN. Newton recently admitted in the latest edition of Ebony he could have handled the situation better.
“The truth is, I represent something way bigger than myself,” He explained. “I’m doing it for my fans and family and I felt like I let them down.”
The league’s 2015 MVP revealed the loss hadn’t hit him yet before he was asked to speak at the conference. He could hear the Denver players celebrating on the other side of the curtain in the same room and he hadn’t had time to process everything.
“Who is anyone to tell me, ‘Man, it’s just an interview’?” Newton questioned. “You haven’t been in that situation. You didn’t have millions of people watching you. Your heart wasn’t pumping with the embarrassment or the anxiety of the stress of dealing with that type of game,” He continued. “I just wasn’t ready to talk. Was I mad? Hell, yeah! But there could have been a better way to control it, and that’s why I think I having more time would have helped.”
Carolina coach Ron Rivera defended his quarterback at the NFL owners meeting, ESPN reported, suggesting players from the losing team shouldn’t be put in the position Newton was in.
Newton’s Ebony interview was his most extensive since February. With all of the criticisms and the stress of the Super Bowl put behind him, he’s in Charlotte participating in offseason workouts and filming the final episodes of his new Nickelodeon TV show.