Newton Reveals Immaturity with Post-game Behavior

According to Cam Newton, not being a “sore loser” means you are a loser.

That’s funny, I always called it being a professional.

As you’ve heard by now, the Carolina Panthers quarterback walked out on reporters after answering only a few questions following a 24-10 loss to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50.

“I’ve been on record to say I’m a sore loser,” Newton told reporters on Tuesday to explain his postgame behavior. “Who likes to lose? You show me a good loser, and I’m going to show you a loser. It’s not a popularity contest. I’m here to win football games.”

Obviously, Cam is missing the point.

There’s nothing wrong with being competitive. Sucking it up and upholding your responsibilities after a loss is not the same thing as liking to lose.

Working as a sports reporter at the high school, college and professional levels for the past 15 years, I’ve had to interview hundreds of players and coaches following a loss.

From my experience, there is no greater measure of a person’s character than how they react during the tough times. The ones who snap at reporters after a loss reveal their true colors.

It’s easy to answer questions when things are going well. But how do you treat the media after a poor performance or a crushing defeat? If you like the cameras and attention after a win, why do you expect the reporters to go away after a loss?

What Cam doesn’t understand is that postgame loss interviews aren’t exactly a picnic for reporters either. But it’s our job to tell both sides and share the complete story.

The majority of reporters are professionals. They want the answers to their questions so they can write their story. They’re not there to mock you. They don’t expect you to smile after a loss. But if they’re being professional toward you, they expect that professionalism and respect to be reciprocated.

It’s tough to lose. We all get it.

But Cam isn’t the first quarterback to lose a Super Bowl. And his childish behavior doesn’t make him any more competitive than his predecessors.

Instead, it revealed immaturity and poor sportsmanship. Newton’s play – 18 of 41 passing with zero touchdowns and one interception – indicated he may not have been ready for the Super Bowl stage. His postgame behavior reinforced that idea.

Mark Schremmer has been a sports reporter since 2000 and has covered games at the professional, college and high school levels for the Topeka Capital-Journal and The Joplin Globe.